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What are the top Canadian animation schools?
| Ranking | School | Province |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheridan College | Ontario |
| 2 | Emily Carr University of Art and Design | British Columbia |
| 3 | Université Laval | Quebec |
| 4 | Ontario College of Art and Design University | Ontario |
| 5 | York University | Ontario |
Our 2026 rankings of the top animation degree programs in Canada.
For this ranking we only consider formal degree programs (bachelor's degree or equivalent). For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
1. Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Sheridan College (Sheridan) houses the Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design (FAAD). Canada’s largest art school, the FAAD provides multiple paths to study animation. Options include bachelor’s degrees in Animation, and 3D Animation and Emerging Technologies; a master’s degree in Animation, Games, and Immersive Experiences; and graduate certificates in Computer Animation, Digital Creature Animation – Technical Direction, and Visual Effects. All students benefit from access to state-of-the-art production facilities; courses led by industry professionals; collaborative projects; a mandatory internship or co-op; and Sheridan’s annual Industry Day.
Programs culminate with an animated film or other project. Graduates have landed roles at places such as Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, LAIKA, Warner Bros., Pixar, Sony Pictures Animation, Netflix, WildBrain, Atomic Cartoons, and Guru Studio.
2. Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) houses programs leading to a BFA, BDes, or Bachelor of Media Arts (BMA) degrees. For animators, the school provides a BMA with majors in 2D + Experimental Animation and 3D Computer Animation. Program highlights include access to state-of-the-art studios; courses taught by industry professionals; hands-on projects; guest mentors; internships; and participation in public showcases.
Programs culminate with a market-ready short film. Graduates have secured roles at places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, and Microsoft.
3. Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
The School of Design at Université Laval houses the Bachelor of Animation (B. Anim.), and the fully online, one-year Art and Science of Animation certificate (CASA). Across programs, students benefit from project-based courses, with opportunities to take on different roles in the animated filmmaking process. Other program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; internships; and the opportunity to meet with industry studio reps through the Université Laval Placement Service (SPLA) event.
The B. Anim. Culminates with a professional animated film and portfolio. CASA students will complete a final project. Across programs, graduates have secured positions at places such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, Ubisoft, Squeeze Animation Studios, Cinesite, Framestore, and Next Level Games.
4. Ontario College of Art and Design University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Faculty of Art at Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Experimental Animation BFA, BDes, and minor. The OCAD U School of Continuing Studies provides an Animation Skills certificate program. Professionals in the animation and games industries lead all programs. BFA and BDes students also benefit from experiential learning placements with major studios; summer internships; workshops and seminars; and opportunities to showcase works at local galleries.
The programs culminate with a year-long course and project to be showcased at Toronto’s largest free art and design exhibition—GradEX (OCAD U Graduate Exhibition). More than 40,000 visitors attend this event. With a 90% employment rate, graduates have gone on to secure roles at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Rockstar Games, Brown Bag Films, Guru Studio, Yowza! Animation, Jam Filled Entertainment, and Snowed In Studios.
5. York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) at York University (York U) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Cinema and Media Arts BFA; a Film Production BFA; and the Digital Media (DM) BA/BSc. Provided in partnership with York’s Lassonde School of Engineering, the DM BA/BSc is Ontario’s only degree program to fuse performing arts and AV media with computer science and engineering. Students can select from the Game Art, Digital Media Art, and DM Development streams.
Students in all programs benefit from hands-on curriculums, internship opportunities, and access to the state-of-the-art York U Motion Media Studio at Cinespace Studios in Toronto. Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Netflix, Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts (EA), DNEG, Brown Bag Films, MPC, and Bethesda.