What are the top Swedish animation training programs?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Game Assembly | Malmo |
| 2 | PlaygroundSquad | Falun |
Our 2024 rankings of the top animation training programs in Sweden.
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.
1. The Game Assembly, Malmo, Sweden
Students at The Game Assembly (TGA) have the unique opportunity to spend a third of their time working at a studio or other creative environment. TGA students also benefit from small class sizes and collaborative activities across programs; partnerships with local gaming studios; apprenticeship programs provided in partnership with Kaplan, Aardvark Swift, Into Games, and Grads in Games; and courses taught by active industry professionals.
The Game Animator program at TGA is an ideal option for students seeking careers in animation. This immersive program focuses on 3D. The curriculum explores the 12 Principles of Animation, motion capture, keyframe animation, and rigging 3D models. Students will also master industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder.
Because the Game Animator program is immersive and accelerated (2.5 years to completion) most courses are advanced. Course examples include Game Animation 3D; Cinematics; Body Mechanics; Motion Capture; Acting; and Creatures. Students will select a specialization (advanced, worth 35 credits) and complete the eight games at a rate of two per term. Projects will consist of individual and group works.
The Game Animator program at The Game Assembly leads to a diploma. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in animation for games, films, television, advertising, education, and training.
The Game Assembly was founded in Malmo, Sweden in 2008. Today, this Higher Vocational Education Institution serves hundreds of students each year at the main campus in Malmo and an additional campuses in Stockholm, Sweden and the UK. The Game Assembly is HBTQI Certified and it has been a member of Ukie since 2023. Ukie is the trade body for the UK games and interactive entertainment industry.
2. PlaygroundSquad, Falun, Sweden
PlaygroundSquad (PSQ) is a competitive games and entertainment school that accepts just 35 applicants each year. An Unreal Academic Partner, PSQ has a three-year Game Art program that explores animation, 3D modeling, texturing, concept development, lighting, shading, effects, and game engines. Program features include hands-on coursework; the opportunity to master PlayStation hardware, and industry-standard software such as Unity, Unreal, and Maya; and courses that explore the basics of project management.
At the end of each semester, PSQ Game Art students will have the opportunity to create and present a game project that highlights their art, design, and project management skills. Projects will be completed in collaboration with game design and game programming students in teams of four to six. In addition, all end-of-semester projects will be available for anyone to play on a PC or console.
At the end of the Game Art program at PlaygroundSquad, graduates will enter the job market with a professional portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are prepared to pursue roles such as Game Artist, Animator, Game Designer, Game Animator, 3D Generalist, and Game Graphic Designer.
Founded in 2000 in an old military facility in Falun, Sweden, PlaygroundSquad (PSQ) is the oldest game development school in the country. Since its inception, this higher education institution has provided game design, game programming, and game art programs to hundreds of students, including 500 PlaygroundSquad is designated by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education.