Top 50 International Animation Schools and Colleges - 2026 College Rankings

Gobelins Paris (Gobelins) has been training animators for more than 60 years. Serving more than 2,700 students, the school provides several degree programs in partnership with la Cité de l’Image en mouvement d’Annecy (CITIA). This resource and skills center organizes the International Animated Film Festival and MIFA (International Animation Film Market). At the undergraduate level, degree options include the bachelor’s in Animation and Film Directing; 3D Character Animation; and Audiovisual Production Management (animation, film and television).

Master’s programs include Animated Film Design and Production, and Visual Storytelling. Gobelins students enjoy a 100% employment rate within six months of graduating. They can be found at places sch as DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Pixar, and Illumination. 

Serving more than 20,000 students, VIA University College (VIA) is home to The Animation Workshop (TAW). Launched in 1988, TAW provides a number of paths to study animation. Options include bachelor’s degrees in Character Animation, Computer Graphic Arts, and Graphic Storytelling; and short-programs in 3D Character Animation, Animation Production Manager, Storyboard, and more. Degree program highlights include practice-based learning; curriculums that integrate internships; access to state-of-the-art facilities; and an accelerated three-year, three-month format for the Character Animation and Computer Graphic Arts programs. 

Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates have been hired at places such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Lucasfilm, DreamWorks, Pixar, Illumination, and Cartoon Saloon. 

Bournemouth University (BU) is a Houdini Certified School that houses the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA). Part of the Faculty of Media and Communication, the center provides several paths top study animation. Options include the Computer Animation and Visual Effects BA; a 3D Computer Animation MA; the Computer Animation and Visual Effects MSc; and a Digital Effects MA. Across programs, students benefit from TIGA accreditation; access to state-of-the-art motion capture facilities, animation labs, and green screen studios; internships; the degree show in London attended by recruiters from Epic Games, Pixar, and DreamWorks; and the opportunity to participate in the annual BFX Festival. 

Programs culminate with final project (animated film or other work) and professional portfolio. Graduates can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Sony, Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Rockstar Games, Unity, Criterion Games, Jagex, and TT Games. 

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.  

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. 

Griffith University is home to Griffith Film School (GFS). A Toon Boom Center of Excellence (COE) and the largest school of its kind in Australia, GFS houses a Bachelor of Animation program that provides opportunities to gain real-world experience through the in-house multimedia studio known as LiveLab, and internships with places such as Ludo Studio (Bluey), Liquid Animation Studio, and Pixel Zoo. Students also have the option to select from majors including Character Animation; 3D Art and Environments; Virtual Production and VFX; Post-Production; Writing and Development; and Art Direction. 

Other program highlights include access to masterclasses and guest lectures by artists from places such as Lucasfilm and Disney; international partnerships with Gobelins, ASPA, and NEP Group; participation in animation film festivals; and collaborative projects with illustrators and game artists from Queensland Conservatorium and Griffith's Queensland College of Art and Design. 

Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. GFS graduates can be found at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Netflix Animation Studios, Disney, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Imageworks, Weta FX, DNEG, and Triggerfish Animation Studios. 

The School of Architecture, Art, and Design at Tecnológico de Monterrey (Tec de Monterrey) provides programs led by artists with experience at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Nickelodeon, and Disney. The school also houses a Digital Art BA that explores animation, games, visual effects, and immersive art. Other program highlights include opportunities to work on projects with Amber Studio, Museo Urbano Interactivo, and Discovery Networks; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; workshops with studios such as Ánima, Fotosíntesis Media, Viva Calavera, and Cinema Fantasma; and professional internships. 

The program culminates with a final project and showcase. Graduates have worked on productions such as Star Wars, Avatar, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse; and Dune. Program alumni can also be found at places such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, Disney, Cinesite, Netflix, MPC, Nintendo, and Rodeo FX. 

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. 

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) provides several paths to study animation. Programs include Diploma of Animation Production with standard (12 months) and accelerated (eight months) options; the three-year Bachelor of Creative Production in Animation; and the one-year accelerated Master of Animation and Visualization (MAV) developed in partnership with Netflix Animation Studios. Across programs, students benefit from partnerships with more than 1,000 industry partners; access to state-of-the-art digital production studios; industry presentations by places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and DNEG; participation in hackathons and competitions; and professional internships. 

Programs culminate with a final project (short film) and showcase. Graduates can be found at places such as ILM, Netflix Animation Studios, Flying Bark Productions, Arterra Interactive, and Crafty Apes. 

École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques (ESMA) houses a 3D Animation and VFX program that leads to a bachelor’s + master’s in just five years. Students can complete the program in French on all six ESMA campuses, and in English at the Lyon, Montpellier, and Bordeaux campuses. Other program highlights include hands-on projects; creative workshops; internship opportunities; and the chance to produce an industry-ready animated short as the culminating experience. Graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Netflix Animation Studios, Weta FX, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Ubisoft, DNEG, MPC, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Blur Studio, Illumination, Aardman, Mac Guff, and Mikros Animation.

MoPA is one of the world’s first schools dedicated entirely to CGI. Formerly known as Supinfocom Arles, followed by MoPA School of Animation, the school is now a member of the EDH Group. Program options include a master’s degrees in 3D Design, Production, and Animation, and Stop Motion Film Directing and Production. All Students benefit from project-based courses; partnerships with places such as Reel FX, DreamWorks, Netflix Animation Studios, and DNEG; and experiential learning opportunities. Programs culminate with a market-ready film. Graduates can be found at places such as Cartoon Network, Pixar, Ubisoft, DreamWorks, Netflix Animation Studios, DNEG, Mikros Animation, Reel FX, and Aardman. 

University of Melbourne is home to Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Established in 1972, VCA houses an intensive, studio-based Animation BFA that allows students to produce an animated sort film in every year of the program. Other highlights include a collaborative, interdisciplinary learning environment; professional internships; and access to state-of-the-art facilities such as animation and stop-motion studios, post-production suites, and editing, mixing, and sound recording rooms. 

VCA BFA students will graduate with a professional portfolio. Program alumni have secured roles at places such as Netflix Animation Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Weta FX, and Method Studios. 

Image Campus (Image) has been the permanent home of the Global Game Jam since 2011. This vocational training institution is also South America’s first video game school and Unreal Authorized Training Center. For animators, the school provides Higher Technical degrees in Art and Animation for Video Games, and Cartoon Production, as well as an Advanced Technical degree in 3D Animation for Video Games. All students benefit from state-of-the-art production facilities; courses taught by industry professionals; and internship opportunities.

Programs culminate with a final project. Image Campus graduates have been hired as interns or for permanent positions at places such as Disney, Warner Bros., Ubisoft, AMC, and Gizmo Animation Studio.

Escape Studios London (Escape Studios) is a Houdini Certified School and the UK’s first Unreal Authorized Training Center. The school also provides an endless number of degree programs and professional training for studios (PTS) certificates for animators. Options include BA and MArt degrees in 2D Computer Animation, Comics and Visual Storytelling, and 3D Computer Animation; a BSc and MSc degrees in Character Creation for Animation, Games and VFX; MA degrees in 3D Animation and Character and Creature Creation; and PTS in 2D Animation, 3D Animation, 2D Character Design, Storyboarding, and Mastering Manga Storytelling: Character, Pages and Narrative Flow. A 14- to 21-week 3D Animation short course is also available. 

Across programs, students benefit from participation in projects based on industry briefs; access to state-of-the-art production tools and software such as Houdini, Unreal Engine, and ZBrush; industry-trained instructors; and professional internships. Programs culminate with a professional showreel. Graduates have been hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Rockstar Games, DNEG, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, MPC, Framestore, Passion Pictures, The Third Floor, and Creative Assembly. 

Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) is a Toon Boom, Adobe, and Wacom partner that provides several paths to study animation. Undergraduate options include BA degrees in Illustration and Animation, and CG Animation and Game Design. Graduate options include a Master in Animation Design. Across programs, students will work on projects with IED partners such as Grangel studio; participate in workshops in Florence; and complete an internship or other experiential learning activity. Programs culminate with a short film and portfolio. 

Graduates have secured positions at places such as Ubisoft, Lightbox Animation Studios, Rainbow CGI, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Skydance Animation, Saatchi & Saatchi, Maga Animation Studio, Milestone, Reply Game Studios, Ogilvy, The SPA Studios, Digital Angels, Hampa Studio, Lucky Red, Sky and Caffeina.

Ecole Emile Cohl (EEC) houses an Animation master’s degree program with a mandatory six-month internship. Other program highlights include hands-on projects and workshops; trips to industry conferences; immersive activities that focus on developing advanced skills in software such as After Effects, Toon Boom, and TVPaint; courses that emphasize scriptwriting for animation and project management; and participation in the annual EEC Job Dating event featuring more than 70 animation, game, and publishing companies. Students will create an animated short film to graduate. EEC alumni work at places such as DreamWorks, Epic Games, Netflix, Disney, Mikros Animation, Ubisoft, Illumination, Skydance, and Framestore. 

Swinburne University of Technology (Swinburne) provides a number of Toon Boom and Wacom recognized programs for animators. Options include a Bachelor of Animation; Bachelor of Games and Interactivity/Bachelor of Animation; Bachelor of Animation/Bachelor of Applied Innovation; Diploma of Screen and Media-Animation; Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media-Animation; and the Certificate IV in Screen and Media. Across paths, students have the opportunity to complete a professional internship through Swinburne’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) initiative and Professional Placements program. Many interns secure roles before graduating.

Other program highlights include trips to expos and other related events; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; workshops; and collaborative projects. Programs culminate with a final project (animated film or other work). Graduates have secured roles at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Framestore, Method Studios, Cinesite, Flying Bark Productions, and Red Cat Motion. 

University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC) is home to the School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design (NAD-UQAC). Within the school are several paths to study animation. Options include a bachelor’s degree in 3D Creation for Cinema; a Digital Design MFA for artists with an undergraduate degree in areas such as 3D animation, games, and animated film; a customizable Digital Creativity PhD; a 3D Animation and Digital Design certificate; and 3D Visual Effects Simulation (short program). All students benefit from curriculums designed by industry professionals; hands-on projects; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and internship opportunities. 

Programs culminate with a final project or thesis (MFA). Graduates can be found at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Digital Domain, Gameloft, DNEG, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Games, Framestore, L'Atelier Animation, Cinesite, Bardel Entertainment, and Rodeo FX. 

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 participate 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 state-of-the-art 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. 

The School of Communication and Creative Arts (CCA) at Deakin University (Deakin) houses a Bachelor of Film, Television, and Animation that combines studio-based courses with opportunities to work on projects for real clients. An Animation minor for students in programs such as Digital Media and Film and Television is also available. Students in both programs have access to access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Degree-seeking students have the opportunity to complete a professional internship at places such as Dreamscreen Australia and Fox Sports. 

Programs culminate with an animation project and presentation. Graduates have been hired at places such as Warner Bros., Fox Sports, NantStudios, and Dreamscreen Australia. 

Established in 1970, Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT) is a Houdini certified school that provides several paths to study animation. Options include a bachelor’s in 3D Creation with concentrations in Animation Film, and Exploration and Experimentation; a Digital Creation bachelor’s with a concentration in Cinema and Audiovisual Media; a master’s in Digital Creation; and certificates in Cinema and Audiovisual Media and Digital Creation. 

Across programs, students benefit from collaborative projects; field trips to festivals; access to state-of-the-art facilities such as designated virtual reality and motion capture labs; workshops led by professionals from the games, film, and visual effects industries; portfolio development; and industry and study abroad internships in places such as China, Brazil, and France. 

Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates have secured roles at places such as Activision, Mikros Animation, WB Games, Ubisoft, Gameloft, Framestore, L'Atelier Animation, Lucid Dreams Studio, Cinesite, Behaviour Interactive, Squeeze Animation Studios, and Yellow Brick Games. 

Haute Ecole Albert Jacques (HEAJ) provides several paths so study animation. Options include bachelor’s degrees in 2D Animation and Digital Illustration; 3D Animation Movies; and 3D Visual Effects. Across programs, students benefit from workshops with visiting artists from places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Disney; courses taught by professionals in the animation, VFX, and illustration fields; experiential learning experiences such as a mandatory three-month internship; collaborative projects; and field trips to conventions and artist talks with figures from places such as SideFX, Framestore, and Pixomondo. 

Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates can be found at places such as Ubisoft Ivory Tower Games, ILM, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Weta FX, Illumination, DNEG, and Framestore.

The Animation BA program at University for the Creative Arts (UCA) was developed by Oscar-winning animator Bob Godfrey. Launched in 1972, the BA is Europe’s first animation degree. Other program options for animators include BA and MA degrees in Game Art, and the Animation MA. Across programs, students benefit from courses taught by filmmakers; teaching spaces made up of studios, workshops, and labs; guest lecturers from places such as Aardman; collaborative projects; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; focused instruction on how to craft successful festival submissions; networking opportunities; and accreditation by the British Film Institute (BFI). 

Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates have been hired at places such as Rockstar Games, HBO Max, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Aardman, The Mill, Passion Pictures, Animade, Cinesite, Fudge Animation, Studio AKA, Creative Assembly, Warner Music Group, and STV Studios. 

The Animation School at ChungKang College of Cultural Industries (ChungKang) is home to Korea’s largest animation production studio. With 24/7 access, the studio houses of state-of-the-art stop-motion studios, group and private workspaces, the AI Project Lab, and a sound room. Other Animation School highlights include live online tutoring sessions by professionals from places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), and Sony Pictures Animation; competency critiques; participation in CK Animation Festival; a workshop-intensive curriculum; job mentoring; and campus recruiting events. 

ChungKang Animation School students can earn an Animation BA that culminates with a thesis project and presentation. Graduates can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Cartoon Saloon, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Disney, Weta FX, DNEG, and Bethesda. 

BRASSART houses a 3D Animation and Immersion program leading to a bachelor’s degree after three years and a master’s after year five. Students in the full five year program will complete two internships, a demo reel, and a final project. Other program highlights include workshops, case studies, conferences, and masterclasses. Graduates can be found at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Ubisoft, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Gameloft, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Aardman, MPC, Cartoon Saloon, Apple, Rockstar Games, Mikros Animation, and Framestore.