5 Best Countries to Study Animation

Are you planning to take an animation course outside India? Here is a list of some of the 5 best countries to study Animation. Check the detailed list here.

Be it the ethereal beauty of ‘Avatar’ or the vivacious marine creatures in ‘Finding Nemo’, the incredible effects of animation have certainly caught the fancy of one and all. While we go gaga over this startling art of effective storytelling, it is essential to know that to become a successful professional in the field of animation, it is of grave importance to understand the needs of the industry and choose the right course and institute. If you are planning to study abroad, you will also want to know which country is the best for animation studies. Well! To make life easier we give you 3 important steps to understand how to begin a career in animation:

Researching:

Identify your skills and understand the kind of jobs available in the animation industry and the skills required to get recruited.

Essential Skills:

One’s skills are the weapon that will differentiate the exclusive from the ordinary. Hence, focus on being original, artistic, innovative, and creative.

Identifying your animation field:

• Animation in the present scenario is a vast field, thus it is essential to choose a course according to your talent, skill, and interest. One can choose from these courses:
• Animation & visual effects in movies, television and advertising
• 3D Visualization – Medical animation, 3D architectural walkthroughs and product visualization or simulations
• Animated e-learning content
• Online animated content for websites & portals
• Games for mobiles, touch pads, consoles & PCs

Best Countries to Study Animation

It would not be wrong to state that pursuing animation abroad from world-class institutes can open doors for an aspirant. To acquaint you with the best, Shiksha brings to you the 5 best countries to pursue Animation and the top institutes of the world.

The list of best countries for animation studies mentioned below includes the top colleges, exams candidates need to take for admission, international student enrollment, etc. 

1. Canada

Canada is a top choice for Indian students pursuing higher education. The diverse and multicultural environment makes students feel welcomed and comfortable. The country’s animation colleges offer a wide range of courses in various specializations, including 2D animation, 3D animation, combined 2D and 3D animation, VFX, multimedia, and game design.

What makes it one of the best countries to study animation is the presence of several highly-ranked colleges, including Sheridan College, Vancouver Film School, etc. Aspiring animators can find the details about the top animation colleges in Canada below:

1. Sheridan College, Oakville

Sheridan College is a major destination for students to study animation from across the world, including India. There are currently more than 8,500 international students studying in the institute.

Courses: Bachelor of Applied Arts (Animation) degree, 4 years; Computer Animation Certificate program, 1 year; Post graduation degrees in Game Level Design and Game Development - Advanced Programming, 1 year.

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

2. Vancouver Film School (VFS)
Courses: Film-making; Character Animation Video Game Design etc.

The LA Times ranked VFS as one of the Top 10 schools favored by video game industry recruiters. Students who complete their graduation from the institute take up jobs at companies like ILM, Pixar, Paramount, EMI, Dreamworks, and EA. As part of the academic program, the candidate will get training in filmmaking, character animation, and video game design courses.

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

3. Seneca College
Courses:  3-year Animation program; Post-diploma programs in 3D Animation and Visual Effects for Film and Television.

Established in 1967, Seneca College is a public college, located in Toronto with an alumni network of 240000 graduates and growing. The institute has more than 30,000 full-time students. 

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

Also Read:

• 2D Animation Vs 3D Animation: Which is Easier?
• Animation Course Salary [2024 Guide]
• Difference Between Animation and VFX

4. Vancouver Institute of Media Arts
Courses:  2D Character Animation; 3D Character Animation; Digital Photography; Game Art and Design; Visual Effects for Film and Television; Web Development and Interactive Design.

The Vancouver Institute of Media Arts was established in 1995, so it is one of the newer institutions. But despite but a young institution, it has quickly established itself as one of the premier institutes to study animation. The tuition fee at the institute for a one-year program can range from INR 13.32 L - 23.73 L. 

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

5. Ontario College of Art and Design
Courses : Guerrilla Entrepreneurism; Exploration; Insight and Foresight in Design; Illustrative Activism; Motion Graphics; Sequential Narrative; Virtual Communities; Play Behaviour and Game Design; and Interactive Communication: Clever Devices, Media, Messages and the Cultural Landscape and Illustration and the Rise of Popular Culture.

The Ontario College of Art and Design, also known as OCAD University, is a government-run institution of higher education and research in Toronto. It is one of the older institutions, being established in 1876. The alumni profile of the institute includes names like Madeline Ashby (Writer), Rachel Hayward (Actress), Shary Boyle (Canadian Visual Artist), Martha Ladly (Musician and Designer), Frank Faubert (Canadian Politician), and Mary Margaret O'Hara (Actress and Musician).

Also Read:

• Top Animation Institutes in Canada

2. United States of America (USA)

The United States is home to Hollywood, where top-quality animated movies are produced. To support the film industry, animation colleges offer high-quality education to aspiring animators. Explore the best animation colleges in the USA below:

1. The School Of Visual Arts
Courses: Undergraduate Program Majors in Advertising; Animation; Cartooning; Computer Art; Computer Animation and Visual Effects; Film and Video; Fine Arts; Graphic Design; Illustration; Interior Design; Photography; and Visual and Critical Studies.

Tests Required: TOEFL requirement: 213 computer-based score or 79 Internet-based scores. Minimum TOEFL requirement: 173 computer-based scores or 61 Internet-based scores.

2. The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Courses: Introduction to 2D Animation; Introduction to 3D Computer Animation;  Stop-Motion Animation; Intro to Animation Systems; Digital Tools for Animation;  Research in 3-D Scanning; Sophomore Animation Seminar; Advanced 2D Animation;  3D Computer Animation II; 3D Modeling Landscape; Advanced 3D Open Studio;  Character Modeling; Systems and Programming; 3D Video Game Character Devel and Animation workshop.

A private craftsmanship and plan school in Baltimore, Maryland, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) was established in 19826. MICA is part of associations like the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), a consortium of 36 driving US workmanship schools, like the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Tests Required:TOEFL

Also Read:

• Mascot Design: Steps to Create Mascot, Skills Required, Career Scope
• Animator Salary in India

3. The Rhode Island School of Design
Courses: Bachelor of Fine Arts; and Bachelor of Graphic Design degree.

Established in 1877, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is another popular destination for students to study animation. The student-teacher ratio at the institute stands at 9:1. The employment rate is 90 percent, while the average salary for postgraduates is $56,400.

4. California Institute of Arts
Courses: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Character Animation; Bachelor of Fine Arts in Experimental Animation; and Master of Fine Arts in Experimental Animation.

The California Institute of the Arts is a private higher education institution in performing arts in California's Santa Clarita City. One of the main attractions of the university is its library, which hosts a wide collection of rare and unique books, journals, guides, magazines, and other printed volumes. You will also find a range of electronic resources like e-books, e-journals, databases, music, videos, CDs, and DVDs that can be accessed for research, learning, and teaching purposes. 
5. Digital Animation and Visual Effects School
Courses:  Digital Modeling and Texturing; Fundamentals of Computer Animation; Film Magic—The Art of Visual Effects; and Stereoscopic 3D Production.

Test Required: TOEFL

Also Read:

• Top Animation institutes in USA

3. United Kingdom (UK)

The UK is a top destination for Indians pursuing higher education. Colleges in the country offer affordable, high-quality programs across various subjects, making the UK a hub of education in Europe. Several top-rated colleges provide animation education aligned with industry requirements. These colleges are listed below:

1. Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University, also known as BU, is a public university located in South West England's Dorset region, United Kingdom. A highly-ranked university, SU is very popular among international students, with more than 3,000 international students enrolled in the institute. Graduates from the university have a record of 93.3% employment rate. Notable alumni from the institute include prominent names like - Nick Hector (Award-Winning Filmmaker and Editor), David Andrew Amess (Politician), Carl Ashmore (Children's Author), Angela Browning (Politician), Charles Mark Hansel (Psychologist and Academic), and Paul Kavanagh (Oscar-Nominated Visual Effects Artist). 

Courses: Computer Animation Arts BA program; and 3D Computer Animation MA.

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

2. Royal College of Art
Courses: BA (Hons) in Animation and Video Game design and development; and Masters in Animation- Graphic Design & Illustration, Media & Game Design.

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

3. National Film & Television School
Courses: Directing Animation and Digital Effects; and Games Design and Development

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

4. University of West-England

As per Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022, the University of West England (UWE) is ranked 401-500. In the U.S. News & World Report 2022, the institute is placed at #1202. UWE in Bristol has a thriving international community, with 6,738 international students from over 140 countries enrolled at the institute. The institute has a strong alumni network of over 317,000 graduates across the world.  

Courses: BA Hone in Animation

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

5. Kingston University London
Courses: Illustration and Animation BA Hons

Kingston University London is a public research university located in South West London. The institute has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the UK by top-ranking publishers, including the Guardian and the Complete University Guide for the last five years. Currently, the institute has 2452 international students enrolled in various programs. 

The university is popular among students for its architecture and forensic science, film production, and photography courses.

Tests Required: IELTS or TOEFL

Also read: Top Animation institutes in the UK

4. Japan

Japan is home to renowned animation studios and production houses, such as Toei Animation, Studio Ghibli, Madhouse, and Kyoto Animation. The popular animation style, anime, also originated in Japan, making animation an integral part of Japanese culture. This is largely due to the skilled animators trained at the country's top animation colleges. The leading animation colleges in Japan are listed below:

1. Digital Hollywood University

Established in 1994, Digital Hollywood University is a private university in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The school offers courses in animation, video game design, film, and other popular programs. The institute is a popular destination for international students, especially for students from Asian countries, including India. The student enrollment percentage as of 2010 is more than 20% of the total enrollment. 

2. Tokyo Design Academy
Courses: Visual Design; Graphic Design; and Major in Animation

3. Tokyo Game Designer Institute
Courses: 2-year course in Animation; 2-year course in Game Creation; 1 year course in Character Design; 1-year course in Computer Graphics; 1-year course in Manga/Comics; and 2-year course in Illustration;

4. College of International Design
Courses: 2 year course in Graphic Design; 2 year course in Interior Design;  1 year course in Architecture; and 1 year course in Manga/Comics.

Also Read:

• Top Animation institutes in the UK

5. France

France is the center of art and culture in Europe, with numerous educational institutions dedicated to fostering creativity across various fields. One of these fields is animation, where some of the country’s institutions offer top-quality education. The following colleges provide the best animation programs in France:

1. Gobelins, l'école de l'image  
This prestigious college is known worldwide for its excellence in animation, Gobelins offers programs that cover everything from 2D to 3D animation. The school has produced graduates who work in top animation studios, including Pixar and DreamWorks, making it a sought-after institution for aspiring animators.

2. École des Nouvelles Images

This school provides a modern approach to animation and digital arts education, focusing on creative storytelling and technical skills. Located in Avignon, it has a strong reputation for producing graduates with a solid understanding of both artistic and technical animation skills.

3. Supinfocom Rubika  

Located in Valenciennes, Supinfocom Rubika is part of the Rubika group and specializes in animation, gaming, and digital design. Known for its high-quality 3D animation training, the college offers project-based learning, helping students build portfolios through hands-on projects.

4. LISAA (L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués)
 LISAA offers a range of animation and multimedia programs in Paris and other French cities. Its courses emphasize a blend of creative and technical skills, providing students with industry-aligned training that covers animation, game design, and visual effects.

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