What are the top Scottish schools with animation degree programs?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Glasgow School of Art | Glasgow |
| 3 | Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design | Dundee |
| 4 | Abertay University | Dundee |
| 5 | University of the West of Scotland | Paisley |
Our 2026 rankings of the top animation degree programs in Scotland.
For this ranking we only consider formal degree programs (bachelor's degree or equivalent). For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
1. Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) at the University of Edinburgh is an Aardman Academy Partner and home to the School of Design. Within the school is Scotland’s oldest Animation BA program. Through ECA’s partnership with Scotland Loves Anime, BA students have the unique opportunity to take part in the annual Education in Animation Day, where they can meet with directors, animators and producers from the largest studios in Asia. Other program highlights include the opportunity to produce several industry-ready animated films and games; access to ultramodern facilities; and internships.
Animation BA graduates have gone on to work for directors such as Tim Burton and Wes Anderson, while others have launched studios such as White Robot and Wild Child Animation. Some program alumni can also be found at places such as Rockstar North, LAIKA, Cartoon Saloon, Framestore, Aardman, Red Kite Animation, Nexus Studios, Media Molecule, 4J Studios, and Wild Child Animation.
2. Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
The School of Innovation and Technology at Glasgow School of Art (GSA) provides several paths to study animation. Options at the undergraduate level include the BSc in Immersive Systems Design with a concentration in 3D Modeling or Games and Virtual Reality. Graduate programs include the Serious Games and Virtual Reality MSc and the MDes in Sound for Moving Image. Across programs students will study animation, audio for film and animation, animated virtual environments, interaction, and digital games. All students have opportunities to work with GSA partners such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Sony.
Programs culminate with a final project such as an animated film, game, or interactive work. Graduates have been hired at places such as Rockstar Games, Amazon, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Microsoft, The Mill, BBC, Framestore, Wild Child Animation, and Blazing Griffin.
3. Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Scotland
University of Dundee is home to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD). Within the college are two paths to study animation. Options include an Animation BDes, and the Animation and VFX MSc. Across programs, students benefit from individual, private workspaces in the state-of-the art DJCAD studios; visiting artists from the animation and VFX industries; mentors; opportunities to work on team projects for real clients; internship opportunities; exhibition spaces; and study abroad experiences.
Graduate students will complete a narrative-based film, showreel, or breakdown reel for their final project. BDes students will complete individual showreels and several group short films to graduate. In addition to working on major productions such as Jurassic World Dominion, Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, and Spider-Man: Far From Home, DJCAD graduates have secured roles at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Rockstar Games, Warner Bros. Animation, BBC, Hasbro, Naughty Dog, Bento Box Entertainment, Netflix, and Boulder Media.
4. Abertay University, Dundee, Scotland
Abertay University is Scotland’s first Houdini Certified School and Adobe Creative Campus. The school also has partnerships with major companies and studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Epic Games, Sony, Microsoft, Vicon, and Wild Child Animation. For animators, Abertay provides several paths of study. Options include a Computer Arts BA; the BSc in Visual Effects for Games and Real-Time Media; an MSc, MPhil, and PhD in Game Art and Animation. All programs provide hands-on training working with industry-standard tools through studio collaborations and real-world projects. Students also gain experience through professional internships with local studios.
Undergraduate programs culminate with a final project. MSc, MPhil, and PhD students complete a final creative project, thesis, and/or research project to graduate. Alumni have been hired at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Microsoft Xbox Game Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, PlayStation, Rockstar North, NVIDIA, Ubisoft, 4J Studios, Studio Catloaf, Hyper Luminal Games, and Afterfire Studios.
5. University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, Scotland
University of the West of Scotland (UWS) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the ScreenSkills recognized BSc in Computer Animation Arts (CAA BSc) and a Graphic Arts and Moving Image BA (GAMI BA). The CAA explores traditional animation, digital animation, and visual effects, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as film, TV, and games. GAA students will study experimental animation, illustration, comic art, documentary filmmaking, and more. Other highlights across programs include access to state-of-the-art production facilities equipped with designated animation stations; individual and group projects; and internship opportunities during the third year.
Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Rockstar North, Warner Bros., MPC, Sony Pictures Imageworks, BBC, Wild Child Animation, Playground Games, Hydra Studios, STV, The CharacterShop, Di4D, Ammonite, and Revenant.