Start your career as a 2D animator for film, TV and games! CG Spectrum’s offers specialized online career training and mentorship from expert animators working at top studios. Get access to career services and a supportive community. Learn more.
What are the Best Animation School Options in New Zealand? ACR Takes a Look.
| School | City |
|---|---|
| Media Design School | Auckland |
| Auckland University of Technology | Auckland |
| Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts at Massey University | Wellington |
| Southern Institute of Technology | Invercargill |
| Animation College New Zealand | Auckland |
Is New Zealand a Good Place to Study Animation?
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful island countries on earth. This small nation of less than 5 million people attracts more than 3 million visitors annually. This contributes billions of dollars to the economy. Another booming area that might surprise you is the film industry. According to Stats New Zealand, total revenue in 2015 from all screen industry businesses here was $3.22 billion. Collectively, these businesses employ an impressive 14,200 people.
What are the Best Animation Schools in New Zealand?
A healthy economy translates to plenty of money to fund vital areas such as education. So it’s not surprising that New Zealand is home to some of the best public universities in the world—and some of the largest. University of Auckland (42,100), Auckland University of Technology-AUT (28,314 students), Victoria University of Wellington (21,000), and Massey University (18,000) are just a few. With a thriving film industry, it’s also not surprising that many of these schools offer top ranked animation and film programs. Let’s take a look.
Media Design School, Auckland, New Zealand
Media Design School is New Zealand’s most awarded tertiary institution for creative and digital technology education, and the country’s #1 Animation School. Ranked in the Top 20 Animation Schools in the world by Animation Career Review (2024), the school has a global reputation for producing world-class animators who go on to work with leading studios like Wētā FX, Pixar, DreamWorks, and ILM. Students learn through hands-on, industry-aligned projects using the same tools and pipelines as the pros - developing everything from character animation to 3D modeling and visual effects. The school’s strong industry connections and studio-style environment ensure that graduates are job-ready and confident in their creative skills.
Located in the heart of Auckland, Media Design School offers a range of specialised degrees across creative technologies, including Game Development, Software Engineering (AI), Motion Design, UX Design, and 3D Animation & VFX. As New Zealand’s first Adobe Creative Campus and a PlayStation® First Academic Partner, the school is at the forefront of creative innovation and digital storytelling. With a focus on real-world learning, collaboration, and innovation, Media Design School prepares students to thrive in the rapidly evolving creative and tech industries - both in New Zealand and around the globe.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Auckland, New Zealand
Established in 2000, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is the second largest university in New Zealand. The school is also the youngest of the eight public universities located across the islands. Of the school’s 28,000+ students, 2,660 are from other countries. AUT offers 224 degree programs, including a Bachelor of Design (BDes) in Digital Design.
Also called animation, computer animation and graphics, moving image, visual effects, and design – digital, the program focuses on animation, visual effects, motion graphics, interactive graphic design, 2D, 3D and real-time motion capture technology, game development, digital print technology, spatial design, digital sound, screen arts, new media, and post-production. The BDes program has industry affiliations with Flux Animation and Weta Workshop, and it offers a host of graduate options. Options include a Master of Design, Master of Visual Arts, a Master of Philosophy, and a PhD.
Specialist areas for these programs include Digital Design (animation, moving image, gaming, web, post-production and film), Graphics (typography, illustration, animation and short film, photography and graphic novel), and Visual Arts (multimedia, painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation and performance).
Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
Massey University began as a small agricultural college in 1927. With 18,000 students across three campuses, and 17,000 national and worldwide distance learning students, Massey is now one of New Zealand’s largest universities. The school offers more than 200 programs, including a Bachelor of Creative Media Production (BCMP). The program is taught by people in the industry, including former staff of Weta Digital, Weta Workshop, Park Road Post, TVNZ, and the BBC. BCMP tutors’ film credits include Avatar, The Hobbit, IronMan3, Planet of the Apes, Babe, Ocean Girl, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
The BCMP program prepares students to enter creative media production jobs, including animator, motion capture animator, CG artist, digital effects artist, interactive producer, storyboard artist, art director, visual effects producer, special effect technical director, games art director, games developer, animatronics artist, filmmaker, director, and more. The programs at Massey University are open to international students studying in New Zealand.
Southern Institute of Technology, Invercargill, New Zealand
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) is a government accredited tertiary provider of NZQA programs at the certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree, postgraduate and master’s degree level. The school has five campuses including Invercargill, Queenstown, Christchurch, Gore, and Auckland. Students from around the world attend SIT, and the school offers many programs online through SIT2LRN Distance Learning. Options for animators include a Bachelor of Screen Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts (3D Animation or Filmmaking), and a Diploma in Animation or Digital Film.
Animation College, Auckland, New Zealand
Animation College was established in 1989. It won “Best Emerging Business 2016” at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards and it is now a member of Academic Colleges Group (ACG)—New Zealand’s largest independent educational services provider. This specialty school offers animation programs leading to a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree. Options include Diplomas in Applied Animation – 3D, Applied Animation – 2D, and Digital Media, and a Bachelor of Animation in Character and Story, World-Building and Visual Effects, and Interactive Media and Games.
Animation College is the only college in New Zealand to offer degree and diploma level courses specializing in 2D & 3D character animation.
A number of schools in New Zealand offer either introductory courses or diploma programs (only) that prepare students for entry-level positions or for entry into a four-year degree program. Two popular options include South Seas Film & Television School and ACG Yoobee School of Design. Located in Auckland, South Seas offers both diplomas and introductory courses in Animation and Film & Television Production.
ACG Yoobee School of Design has locations in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and New Zealand. The school offers a Diploma of Animation (Advanced), and Diploma’s in Digital Design – Animation and Film Production, and 3D Production. Introductory courses 3D Character Animation, 3D Facial Animation, and 3D Modeling.
Other Schools to Consider:
Selected Campus Locations:
- Auckland, New Zealand
Selected Programs:
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 25 Internationally for Animation (#18) - 2024
- Top 10 in Australia/New Zealand for Animation (#4) - 2024
Selected Campus Locations:
- Online
Selected Programs:
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 25 International Animation Training Programs (#18) - 2024
Sources
"Animation College Joins ACG." Animation College. Animation College New Zealand Limited, 30 Nov. 2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.
NewZealand.govt.nz. New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZOA), n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.
"Tourism Satellite Account: 2013." Stats.govt.nz. New Zealand Government, 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.
"Population Clock." Stats.govt.nz. New Zealand Government, 2017. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.