| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Film Academy Baden-Württemberg | Ludwigsburg |
| 2 | Games Academy | Berlin |
| 3 | PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy | Cologne |
For this ranking we only consider professional training programs, that is, non-degree programs such as certificate, diploma, and similar programs that are not formal 4-year bachelor's degrees. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
Film Academy Baden-Württemberg (FABW) helps students produce some 250 films each year. Many of these films go on to win prizes at the Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards and SIGGRAPH. Other FABW highlights include intensive, project-based programs; partnerships with companies such as Kodak, Dolby, and CILECT; hands-on training through internships and other experiential learning experiences; interdisciplinary collaborations across the academy and with media partners such SWR, ZDF, ProSiebenSat.1, HR, RTL, and ARTE.
Film Academy Baden-Württemberg is also home to the Animation Institute. Established in 2002, the institute trains students in animation, visual effects, directing, interactive media, producing, and games. Institute features include guest lecturers from the U.S., Europe, and Germany; study abroad opportunities at partner schools in places such as South Africa, France, Argentina, Poland, and Lebanon; and the opportunity to focus in Animation, Animation/Effects Producing, Technical Directing, Visual Effects, or Interactive Media.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Animation, Games, Effects, and Immersive Media event known as the Annual Spring FMX Conference. Hosted by the Animation Institute since 1994, the conference attracts directors, producers, and major studios from across Europe. Approximately 4,000 participants from more than 60 countries attend FMX each day, as well as dozens of celebrated speakers from around the world.
Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios; seminars and workshops; private individual workstations equipped industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, SideFX Houdini, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe After Effects, TV Paint, and Dragonframe; and individual and team mentoring sessions supervised by accomplished industry professionals.
The Animation program at Film Academy Baden-Württemberg culminates with the diploma project and presentation. Graduates have gone on to establish careers at studios in Germany and abroad. Some alumni have launched their own independent studios or freelance businesses.
Founded in 1991, Film Academy Baden-Württemberg serves approximately 500 students who are mentored and taught more than 300 film and media experts. The school provides film and media; film music and sound design; production; and interdisciplinary programs across the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction, the Academy of Performing Arts, and the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris. Film Academy Baden-Württemberg is a subsidiary of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
In 2019, Games Academy and the Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences (MDH) merged to create one of the largest collections of game design programs in Berlin. This includes bachelor’s degrees, master’s programs, certificates, and continuing education options. Within the school’s Digital Art Department is a two-year Digital Artist program that explores Animation, Texturing (Computer Visualization), 3D Modeling, and Drawing and Modeling (Fine Arts).
Program features include lectures led by active professionals in the games industry; access to state-of-the-art facilities or the option to borrow Games Academy hardware; networking opportunities within the industry; and a minimum of four game projects with AAA games providers.
In addition, Games Academy provides the opportunity for Digital Artist students to earn two degrees by adding the Game Designer (GA) program. After five semesters instead of four, double degree students will have a minimum of five projects for their portfolio and more job opportunities, such as Game Design Director, Technical Artist or Designer, Quality Assurance Manager, or Level Designer.
The Digital Artist and Game Designer programs at Games Academy can be completed on campus in Berlin or 100% online. Graduates of the Digital Artist program will receive the state-certified Digital Artist (GA) qualification. Double degree graduate will receive a state-certified degree in Digital Artist + Game Designer.
Digital Artist alumni are prepared to pursue roles such as Animator (film and television), 3D Modeler, Interface Designer, Animator (games), Environment Designer, 3D Generalist, UI/UX Designer, Animator (advertising), and Animator (television).
Founded in 2000, Games Academy is the oldest state-recognized games school in Europe and the first and only college in Germany to focus solely on computer and video game production. With more than 1,500 graduates and 700+ games to its credit, Games Academy provides programs across four departments. These include Game Design, Game Production, Game Programming, and Digital Art. Games Academy is approved by the Accreditation and Licensing Ordinance for Employment Promotion (AZAV) and Quality Management ISO 9001.
Located in Cologne’s MediaPark, PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy (PIXL VISN) is Germany’s largest school of 3D animation and visual effects (VFX). Students at PIXL VISN benefit from small group instruction; a practice-oriented curriculum; lectures and courses led by instructors from major studios such as Disney, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Epic Games, Pixomondo, MPC, and Framestore; and access to state-of-the-art software and hardware.
Students also have the opportunity to specialize in one or more areas and take on a number of independent projects throughout the program.
Training for the PIXL VISN 3D Animation and VFX program takes place over six quarters. Software includes Pixar’s Renderman, Maya, Nuke, Zbrush, Arnold, V-Ray, Redshift, and Mari. Students will begin the program with 100 level courses in areas such as animation, drawing, modeling, lighting, storyboarding, compositing, drawing, CG, video editing, and dynamics FX. These areas and others such as rigging texturing, look development, and pipeline will increase (each quarter) to the 200, 300, 400, and 500 levels.
In the fifth quarter of the program students will take DemoReview (500 level) and Practice Coaching (500 level), along with deme reel courses. The final quarter includes DemoReview (600 level); Practice Coaching (600 level); and the final Demo Reel courses. In addition, students will compile and present their portfolios, which will consist of works created in previous quarters.
Upon completion of this 18-month intensive training program, all students will receive targeting career coaching and access to a network of industry professionals.
PIXL VISN graduates are prepared for immediate employment in the animation and VFX industries. Program alumni have worked on major productions such as Game of Thrones, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, and The Walking Dead.
PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy was established in 2011 by Canadians Andrei Stirbu and Robb Innes. Both artists had worked at major production studios in Vancouver, including Mainframe—one of the Canada’s largest animation studios. Today, the school provides intensive training in 3D animation and visual effects (VFX). Since its inception, PIXL VISN has produced hundreds of artists who have worked on dozens of productions for major studios in Europe and abroad. PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy is a Fox Renderfarm Partner.
