| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algonquin College | Ottawa, Pembroke, and Perth |
| 2 | Seneca Polytechnic College | Toronto |
| 3 | Humber College | Toronto |
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.
Algonquin College (AC) is home to the School of Media and Design which houses more than 20 programs leading to a diploma or a certificate. For students interested in pursuing a career in animation, the school has an advanced diploma in Animation that takes three years to complete, and a certificate in Drawing Foundations for Animation and Illustration, which takes just one year to complete.
Industry professionals who have worked with studios such as Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Bros. Animation, Ubisoft, and Atomic Cartoons lead all coursework, projects, and activities for the Animation diploma program. Course examples include Animation Practices and Principles I-II; Life Drawing for Animation I-VI; Animation Design I-IV; 2D Digital I-II; and 3D Animation I-II.
Courses for the program are delivered in a variety of modes including in the classroom or lab, in hybrid format (online/on campus), or 100% online. Graduates of the Animation diploma program will enter the job market with a portfolio and demo reel of their best work. Potential job titles include Animator, 3D Animator, Character Designer, Rigger, Modeler, Game Animator, Tradigital Rigger, Layout Artist, Location Designer, and Background Artist.
The Drawing Foundations for Animation and Illustration program at Algonquin College explores creature traditional animation and illustration, design, character design, life drawing, environment design, and sculpting—all in an immersive studio setting. Students will have additional opportunities to explore and perform research in areas such as comic books, gaming, anime, concept art, book illustration, and graphic novels.
Course examples for the program include Life Drawing 1-2; Character Design 1-2; Layout and Environmental Design 1-2; Digital Painting and Sculpting; Drawing Career Pathways, and Foundations of Communication.
This certificate program culminates with a final project to be displayed at the School of Media Design’s Annual Showcase. Students will also develop a professional portfolio of their best work. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in the entertainment, publishing, advertising, and other creative fields. Students will also have the credits needed to apply for admission to the Animation or Illustration and Concept Art diploma programs.
Algonquin College formed in 1967 after the merger of the Eastern Ontario Institute of Technology (est. 1957) and the Ontario Vocational Centre (est. 1965). The school serves approximately 20,000 students enrolled more than 200 programs across three campuses—Ottawa, Pembroke, and Perth—and online. The Online Campus at Algonquin College launched in 2019 and it enrolls students from around the world.
The School of Creative Arts and Animation at Seneca Polytechnic College (Seneca Polytechnic) has several paths to study Animation. All programs provide the same benefits and opportunities. Examples include co-op experiences, field placements, work terms, and the study abroad program; partnerships and programs such as Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO), Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI), and Toon Boom Center of Excellence program; and access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Animation, Computer, and the Digital Animation Labs.
Seneca Polytechnic also participates in a number of associations and groups such as Polytechnics Canada, Colleges Ontario, and Colleges and Institutes of Canada.
Program options include an advanced diploma in Animation, and graduate certificates in 3D Animation and Game Art & Animation. The certificate programs are delivered in a hybrid format and they can be completed in eight months.
The Animation program at Seneca Polytechnic College takes three years (six semesters) to complete. Delivered in a hybrid format, the program follows the Seneca Animation Model. Among the first of its kind, the model focuses on skills development through four specialization streams. These include 2D Animation; Game Art and Animation; 3D Animation; and Visual Development.
In addition to focused coursework, all streams explore computer animation, storyboarding, character animation, digital technology, environment and scene design, and animation production. Courses for the program are hands-on and cross-disciplinary, with titles such as Storyboarding – Film Structure; Character Design; Animation Applications; Storytelling; Character Development; Character Acting; Layout – Environmental Design; and History of Animation.
In addition, all first-year students will explore Animation Foundations. This helps students develop skills in life drawing; film language, animation, design, and structural drawing for animation. In the second and third year of the program, students will immerse in their chosen stream while collaborating with peers across areas. Students will also participate in workshops, interact with visiting artists, and complete an internship.
Graduates of the Seneca Polytechnic College Animation program are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of animation for film, television, games, advertising, and art education. They work at animated feature film studios, visual effects studios, 2D and 3D television animation studios, gaming studios, pre-production and concept art studios, virtual production companies, and advertising agencies.
Seneca Polytechnic Animation alumni are also prepared to pursue the Animation BA at partner schools such as University of Gloucestershire and Munster Technological University (MTU).
The 3D Animation program at Seneca Polytechnic College explores 3D computer modeling and animation. Students will learn the principles of animation, develop project management skills, and master storyboard drawing techniques. Graduates are prepared for careers in animation and 3D animation for film, television, and games; forensic animation; and industrial design. Sample job titles include Digital Animator, Modeler, Character Rigger, Lighting Specialist, and 3D Painting/Texturing.
The Game Art & Animation program at Seneca Polytechnic explores animation, texturing, design, modeling, lighting, scene staging, production management, and art direction. Students will master high-end hardware and software, while learning about how the production pipeline works within AAA game studios. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as Animator, Level Designer, Texture Artist, Modeler, Prop Artist, Level Builder, and Lighting Artist.
Established in 1967, Seneca Polytechnic College serves 63,200 full-time, part-time, and continuing education students enrolled in more than 300 programs leading to a diploma, degree, or certificate. Around 24,600 Seneca students come from 150+ countries. This means the school has serves Canada’s largest number of foreign students. Seneca Polytechnic College is accredited by the Canadian Association of Colleges and Universities (ACU) and it is the only college in Ontario to have programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
The Faculty of Media & Creative Arts at Humber College has a 3D Animation program that leads to an advanced diploma. Areas explored include animation, modelling, art, narratives, and visualization. Students will work their way through the entire production pipeline, while mastering industry-standard 3D animation software and tools. Course examples for the program include Animation Art 1-5; An Introduction to Arts and Sciences; Life Drawing for Animation 1-5; Acting for Animators; Production Art 1-4; Animation History; and Film Art.
Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to work in teams to design characters, scenes, and objects; develop films; and build virtual worlds in the school’s state-of-the-art production facilities and the Usability Lab. Students also have access to the Virtual Reality (VR) Room, where they can create works with peers across disciplines.
In the last several semesters of the program, students will complete the following courses: Animated Short Development, Capstone 1 and 2, and Portfolio (ANMN 355).
Graduates of the Humber College 3D Animation program are prepared to pursue positions in the film, video games, television, marketing, and advertising industries. Program alumni go on to produce live-action and animated films; video games; real-time applications; commercials; and television productions.
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning (Humber College) serves more than 18,000 students across three campuses, making it one of the largest colleges in Canada. The school provides programs leading to a bachelor’s degree, diploma, advanced Diploma, or certificate. Other options include apprenticeship certificate programs; more than 60 online continuing education and professional training programs; and 400+ online courses. Programs are housed across eight academic schools, with many featuring work placements, clinical practice, or industry-related experiences.
