Top 5 Schools in the World For Animation, Gaming and VFX

If gaming and animation is your area of interest and if you want to take it up as a profession, then this article is for you. We will talk about the Best Animation Schools in the World for animation, gaming and VFX, the perks of studying in these universities and the courses they offer.

The best animation schools in the world consistently feature institutions like GOBELINS Paris, known for its top-tier reputation; Sheridan College (Canada), a leader in 2D/3D; CalArts (USA), famous for its innovative approach; and Ringling College of Art and Design (USA), strong in computer animation, alongside European powerhouses like ArtFX (France) and Royal College of Art (UK), with strong programs also in Australia (RMIT, Griffith) and specialized schools like Gnomon. 

Animation, Visual Effects, and Gaming are for those who are passionate storytellers and who love to give life to their characters. It is the perfect blend of technology and entertainment. Animation is currently a well paid job with steady career growth. With this also comes competition based on skills. So, it is essential to have good training. Below are some of the top animation schools in the world, known for their animation programs, which have to date produced successful animators and are worth taking a look at.

Also Read: Top 5 Animation Institutes in the UK

Best Animation Schools in the World 2026 

The top 10 best animation schools in the world are given below. 

Gobelins Paris

Also referred to as the GOBELINS, l'école de l'image, the Gobelins Paris is a renowned institute for the study of visual communication and arts. Founded in 1964, Gobelins Paris is famous for its bachelor's and master's courses in character animation, animated film-making, and visual storytelling. The school is often ranked #1 globally, renowned for its influential French animation style and innovation. The school also offers programs in many in-demand fields like motion/graphic design, web and mobile design, photography, video games, and audio & video. Most of its bachelor's courses are 3-year long, and master's courses are 2-year long. The school also offers preparatory year programs in animation, both online and full-time in-classroom courses. The school has strong industry connections, often providing good job prospects to its graduates while also providing them with practical and project-based learning. The admission requirements for getting into Gobelins Paris include having a French Baccalaureate (or equivalent foreign diploma) for a bachelor's degree and a higher-level degree (preferably a bachelor's) for a master's degree.

Sheridan College

Nicknamed the ‘Harvard of Animation’ or ‘Disney North’, Sheridan College, located in Ontario, Canada, is a top choice for animation aspirants. The school is a powerhouse of animation, especially for 2D animation, producing many industry legends. Distinguished graduates of Sheridan include Academy and Emmy award winners in the field of animated filmmaking and directing. Sheridan offers more than 130 programs leading to diplomas, certificates, degrees, and postgraduate diplomas. The Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design (FAAD) of Sheridan is Canada’s largest Art School. The faculty offers 37 programs and has produced to date 7 Oscar award winners.  Today, the school offers a four-year Honours Bachelor's degree in animation, which is comprised of a mandatory internship and three post-graduate programs in computer animation, visual effects, and character animation. By the end of the training, you will be able to create world-class animated sequences, create 2D and 3D sequences, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and communicate ideas and emotions visually, among other skills necessary to succeed in this field. Besides, FAAD also offers programs in Film, TV, and Journalism; Design, Illustration, and Photography; Material Art and Design and Visual and Performing Arts.

California Institute of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is a world leader in the education of artists. CalArts’ programs in visual, media, performing and literary arts are top-ranking and highly selective. It is a legendary institution for experimental, 2D and 3D animation, and is often linked to Disney/Pixar. For animation aspirants, the school offers a highly ranked BFA program in Character Animation and a BFA/MFA program in Experimental Animation. Each program is designed to cater to individual student needs and various studies involving animation, its concepts, and practices. Cutting-edge animation, visual and multimedia labs, video studios, and post-production facilities provide CalArts students with superior hands-on training in both theory and professional practice. To date, CalArts graduates have made a mark in their respective fields. Some of the notable animation alumni include Mark Andrews (Brave), Wesley Archer (The Simpsons) and Adam Beckett (Star Wars).

Also Read: Top 5 Animation Institutes in the USA

Royal College of Art

The Royal College of Art (RCA), located in London, UK, is a leading public research university and the only university in the world for postgraduate art and design studies. It is also the top UK institution offering advanced animation studies. The university offers cutting-edge postgraduate programs in many areas, including Animation, Digital Direction, Architecture, Fashion and more. The highly ranked MA Animation program offered by the School of Communication/Animation comprises three pathways (Documentary Animation, Narrative Animation, and Experimental Animation) and to will be selected when you are applying for the program. Applicants can check the details of each pathway to understand the structure and career outcomes before selecting a pathway. The application process is supposedly competitive; applicants must, therefore, prepare a strong application package to be considered by RCA.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Located in Vancouver, Canada, the Emily Carr University of Art+Design is a highly regarded, world-leading art and design school. The university’s Ian Gillespie Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media offers interdisciplinary studies in areas of visual communications and storytelling; experimental and 3D animation; film and video; and interactive and integrated design, among other areas. The Bachelor of Media Arts degree offers animation aspirants to choice of majors in 2D & Experimental Animation or 3D Computer Animation. Emily Carr is the only animation school in British Columbia to offer a bachelor's degree with both 3D and CG animation. Animation students learn about animation principles, character development, design, story and production techniques, opportunity to engage in international projects, research, etc. Walt Disney Animation Studios and Sony Pictures Imageworks are among the few notable employers recruiting Emily Carr’s graduates.   

Also Read: Top 5 Animation Institutes in Canada

Other Top Institutions for Animation

In addition to the above-reputed schools for animation programs, the following schools can also be considered for various professional and short-term training programs in animation.

Source: Animation Career Review

General Eligibility Requirements for Top Animation Schools in the World

For admissions, top animation schools in the world require strong creative portfolioos that represent your creative art and expressions. You must also submit other important documents like personal statements, recommendation letters; and sometimes - qualify for entrance exams like NID DAT or aptitude tests, focusing heavily on demonstrated artistic skill, storytelling and technical potential. These eligibility requirements are discussed in detail below.

1. Your education: If you're seeking a bachelor's degree in animation, then you must score at least 45%-50% marks in your class 12 examinations. And if you're applying for a master's, then you must have completed your bachelor's degree in a relevant field with good CGPA.
2. Portfolio Submission (most important aspect): Your portfolio shows a glimpse of your skills to the admission committee. With this, you talk to the admission committee indirectly that whether you can take on the challenging course in their institution or not. It must contain your best artistic work (drawings, digital art, 3D models, character designs, animation reels).
3.  English proficiency: English language is a huge requirement as to cope in a completely English speaking environment, you would need it. This can be shown by qualifying in exams like IELTS, TOEFL or PTE.

Tips to Get into Top Animation Schools in the World

Tips for getting into the best animation schools in the world are given below.

• Create a portfolio that demonstrates your drawing skills. 
• Get 2-3 recommendations from your ex-faculty or supervisor.
• Make a theme that shows your own style of creation in all your work
• Connect with industry leaders and seek their mentorship
• Have an idea of the latest softwares that there are in this field

This was all about the top animation, VFX and gaming schools in the world. If you have any doubts, feel free to drop your queries in the comments below.