What are the top UK animation degree programs?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bournemouth University | Poole |
| 2 | Royal College of Art | London |
| 3 | University of the Arts London | London |
| 4 | Teesside University | Middlesbrough |
| 5 | Escape Studios | London |
| 6 | University for the Creative Arts | Canterbury |
| 7 | University of Hertfordshire | Hatfield |
| 8 | Staffordshire University | Staffordshire |
| 9 | University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth |
| 10 | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh |
| 11 | The Glasgow School of Art | Glasgow |
| 12 | Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design | Dundee |
| 13 | University of the West of Scotland | Scotland |
| 14 | Edinburgh Napier University | Edinburgh |
Our 2025 rankings of the top animation degree programs in the United Kingdom.
For this ranking we only consider formal degree programs (bachelor's degree or equivalent). For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
1. Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, Poole, England, UK
Bournemouth University (BU) is home to the Faculty of Media and Communication, which houses one of the few research-intensive Animation centers in the UK—the National Center for Computer Animation (NCCA). BU is also one of the few Houdini Certified School’s in the UK. Program options include a BA in Computer Animation and Visual Effects; a 3D Computer Animation MA; an MSc in Computer Animation and Visual Effects; and a Digital Effects MA. Graduates go on to work with major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, and EA Games.
2. Royal College of Art, London, England, UK
The School of Communication at Royal College of Art (RCA) houses MA programs in Animation and Digital Direction. Both options explore animation, games, film, artificial intelligence (AI), media, STEM disciplines, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), theater, and literature. Graduates of the programs have landed positions at independent and major studios such as DreamWorks, Aardman, and Passion Pictures.
3. University of the Arts London, London, United Kingdom
University of the Arts London (UAL) is a Certified Nuke Training Center and an Accredited Toon Boom Center of Excellence. Undergraduate program options include BA degrees in Animation, and Animation and Visual Effects. At the graduate level, UAL students can earn an MA in Animation; Character Animation; or 3D Computer Animation. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, and Aardman.
4. Teesside University, Middlesbrough, England, UK
Teesside University Europe’s first Adobe Creative Campus. The school provides ScreenSkills-recognized programs including a BA in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics; BA and MA degrees in Animation, 2D Animation and Stop Motion, and Concept Art; and a SideFX Certified Visual Effects MA. All animation programs culminate with a film sequence or short film. Graduates have been hired at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Rockstar North, Animal Logic, and Imaginarium Productions.
5. Escape Studios, London, England, UK
Escape Studios London (Escape Studios) was the first Unreal Authorized Training Center in the UK. Also a Houdini Certified School, Escape Studios provides a BA/MArt in The Art of Computer Animation (2D or 3D); the BSc MSci in Character Creation for Animation, Games and VFX; a 3D Animation MA; and an MA in Character and Creature Creation. Graduates have worked on productions such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Avengers.
6. University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury, England, UK
University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is an ARRI Certified Film School. Also accredited by the British Film Institute (BFI), the school provides Animation and Games Animation BA programs. At the graduate level, students can earn an Animation MA. Graduates have gone on to create characters such as Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee. Program alumni have also landed roles at partner studios such as Passion Pictures, Cinesite, Blink Productions, Animade, The Mill, Aardman, Black Dog Films, and Fudge Animation.
7. University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield – Hertfordshire, UK
University of Hertfordshire (UH) provides an extensive list of SideFX accredited programs. Examples include BA degrees in 2D Digital Animation, 3D Animation and Visual Effects (VFX), and Digital Arts for Animation, Games, and Immersion; the BSc in Digital Technologies for Animation, Games, and Immersion; and MA degrees in Animation, 3D Modeling and VFX, and Character and Creature Animation. With a 96.5% employment rate, program alumni have been hired at places such as Sony Pictures Animation, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Blue Zoo Animation Studio.
8. Staffordshire University, Staffordshire, England, UK
Staffordshire University (Stafford) is an Unreal Authorized Training Center that provides a variety of transdisciplinary programs in the creative arts and digital technologies. This includes BA and MA degrees in Animation, and BSc in Computer Games Design with a focus in Animation. Graduates have been hired at places such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, MPC, Brown Bag Films, DNEG, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Cinesite, and Aardman.
9. University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, England, UK
University of Portsmouth (UoP) is accredited by SideFX as a Houdini Certified School. Program options include an Animation BA; the BSc in Computer Animation and Visual Effects (VFX); and a Computer Animation MSc. Program alumni go on to work at independent and major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Animation, Framestore, MPC, DNEG, The Mill, Kuju Games, Milk VFX, and Centroid Motion Capture.
10. Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) is a school within the University of Edinburgh. An Aardman Academy Partner, ECA is home to the School of Design, which houses Scotland’s oldest Animation BA program. Throughout this award-winning program, students will produce their own industry-ready animated films and games. Graduates have gone on to work for directors such as Wes Anderson and Tim Burton or to launch their own studios such as Wild Child Animation and White Robot. Other program alumni have been hired at places such as LAIKA, Aardman, Cartoon Saloon, Rockstar North, and Framestore.
11. The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
The School of Innovation and Technology at Glasgow School of Art (GSA) houses a BSc in Immersive Systems Design with a specialization in 3D Modeling. This technology-focused program explores 3D modeling for animation, digital games, visual effects (VFX), and augment and virtual reality (AR/VR). All students have opportunities to work with GSA partners such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Sony. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the entertainment and games industries.
12. Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Scotland
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) is school within University of Dundee. Located in the UK’s first and only UNESCO City of Design, DJCAD has two paths to study animation including the Animation BDes, and the MSc in Animation and VFX. All students will graduate with individual showreels and several group short films showcasing their best work. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of animation for film, television, and games. Graduates have worked on major productions such as Game of Thrones, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Jurassic World Dominion, and The Mandalorian.
13. University of the West of Scotland, Scotland, UK
University of the West of Scotland (UWS) houses a project-based Computer Animation Arts that focuses on traditional and digital animation techniques, all stages of the animation production pipeline, and problem-solving. Leading to a BS, the program allows students to specialize in Film, Television, or Games. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animated films and video, computer games, architectural visualization, and visual effects. Program alumni have landed positions at major studios such as Disney, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Rockstar North, and MPC.
14. Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh Napier University houses an Animation for Games program that combines 3D modeling and animation, visual effects storytelling, gaming, interactive audio, 2D motion graphics, add scripting for interactive media. Leading to a BS, this program culminates with and honors project and professional portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in game design and development, animation for film and television, interactive media, and advertising.