Top 10 Professional Animation Training Programs in Canada - 2024 School Rankings

Vancouver Film School (VFS) launched a Classical Animation program and North America’s first Multimedia program in 1994. Just a year later, the school launched a one-year 3D Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) program. In 2013, Vancouver Film School opened a new Animation Campus outfitted with an animation rig from Long Winter Studios, and Qube! render farm. 

Today, VFS is a Houdini Certified School that provides 24/7 access to expanded state-of-the-art computer labs equipped with industry standard software, studios, theaters, film sets, motion and performance capture facilities (among the largest in North America), production spaces, and screening rooms. VFS facilities are housed across eight campuses and more than 42,000 sq. ft. of space. 

Other VFS features include numerous partnerships with major technology companies and software developers such as HP, Unreal Engine, Pixologic (makers of Zbrush), Dell Technologies, Autodesk, Unity, NVIDIA, Final Draft, and Adobe; visiting artists; internship opportunities with both independent and major studios; workshops, training sessions, and industry social events hosted by VFS; and access to career services through the VFS Alumni Directory & Job Board. 

The Classical Animation program at Vancouver Film School is 12-month diploma program that explores the basics of animation, rendering, background design, animating characters, layout, storyboards, and art direction. Course examples for the program include Animation 1-4; Character Design 1-2; Effects Animation 1-2; Digital Ink and Paint; History of Animation; Composition; 2D Digital Animation; Storyboarding 1-2; and Premiere. 

Classical Animation students may also take a number of non-credit courses to enhance the program. Examples include Maya Intro; Photoshop; and Art Direction. The program culminates with the completion of the students demo reel and professional animation portfolio. 

The 3D Animation & VFX program at Vancouver Film School is a 12-month diploma program that allows students to focus in Animation, Modeling, or Visual Effects. All students will learn the basics of the 3D pipeline; storytelling through the Pre-visualization course; and lighting, rendering, and compositing techniques. Course examples for the program include History of Animation + VFX; Animation 1-3; Advanced Animation; Visual Effects 1-3; Creative Development; Visual Effects: Data Acquisition; Advanced Modeling; Surfacing; Digital Sculpting 1-2; Design; Previsualization; and Life Drawing.  

In the fourth term of the VFS 3D Animation & VFX program, students will enter the studio component of the curriculum, which focuses on the production of a demo reel in collaboration with industry mentors. 

Regular group reviews and one-on-one feedback take place during the fifth term of the program. In the final term, students will put the finishing touches on their projects for the VFS Industry Night event. 

In addition to the Classical Animation and 3D Animation & VFX programs, Vancouver Film School has an Animation Conception Art program that explores drawing, worldbuilding, storytelling, drawing, and character design. In the fifth term is this 12-month diploma program, students will begin working on a pitch package and professional portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in comic arts, games, animation, film and television, interactive media, and illustration (publishing, advertising, science and medicine, architecture, etc.). 

Across all VFS animation programs, graduates have established careers at top studios around the world. Program alumni have worked on more than 100 feature films, 25+ TV/web series, over 20 3D Animation projects, and more than 30 games. Examples include Game of Thrones, Ghostbusters Afterlife, Overwatch, The Grinch, Justice League, Spider-Man No Way Home, Luigi’s Mansion, Halo Infinite, League of Legends, Sonic the Hedgehog, Child’s Play, Free Guy, Toy Story 4, God of War, and Dune. 

Vancouver Film School opened in 1987 with 12 Film Production students. Today, the school serves more than 1,000 students enrolled in 15 programs across eight campuses, including Shanghai VFS (SHVFS). Vancouver Film School is accredited by the B.C. Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, and the British Columbia Education Quality Assurance (EQA). VFS is also holds a Designation Certificate under the Private Training Act.

Think Tank Training Centre (Think Tank) has a 3D Animation, Visual Effects & Game Art program that can be completed in 64 weeks. This immersive diploma program explores all aspects of animation, VFX, computer graphics, and games. Consisting of 40-60 hours of coursework/projects per week, the program provides the opportunity to select a specialization from 12 options. Examples include Animation; Characters & Creatures for Film; Visual Effects; Props and Environments for Film; and Look Development. 

Students in all specializations will take courses such as 3D Animation; Production Pipeline (all terms); Experiential Learning Lab (all terms); 3D Animation; Game Engines; Acting for Animation; Character Production; Compositing & VFX; Traditional Sculpting; Advanced Tools; Environment Production; and Final Project (All terms). 

Students will also master software such as Unreal Engine, ZBrush, Nuke, Maya, Substance Painter, Mudbox, Photoshop, Mari, V-Ray, UVLayout, and Substance Designer. 

In the final term of the 3D Animation, Visual Effects & Game Art program at Think Tank, students will take the following courses: Presentation Skills; Portfolio Packaging; and Job Search. Students will also take their final Experiential Learning Lab, Production Pipeline, and Portfolio Production courses. Graduates will leave the program with an industry-ready portfolio. 

In addition to the 64-week diploma program, Think Tank Training Centre has a shorter program designed for students with advanced skills in CG. Students in this 16-week program will learn and create at personal, state-of-the-art workstations, with opportunities to be mentored by industry professionals. Mentees have access to studio tours with partner organizations, portfolio workshops, and additional job-readiness tutorials. 

Courses for the program include Production Pipeline, Job Readiness, and Final Portfolio Production. At the end of the program, students can take advantage of four additional months of facility access to complete their demo reel and job hunt. 

Graduates of the Animation and CG programs at Think Tank Training Centre have been hired at local and global studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM),Weta FX, Digital Domain, Framestore, Disney, BioWare, DNEG, Animal Logic, Phoenix Labs, Method Studios, Hellbent Games, Waterproof Studios, Scan Line VFX, and ZOIC. 

Founded in 2005, Think Tank Training Centre prepares students for careers in the CG Industry through a number of online, campus, and hybrid programs. The school serves hundreds of students at its North Vancouver location and thousands of online students from around the world. Program examples include 3D Animation, Visual Effects & Game Art; CG Asset Creation for Film or Games; and CG + 3D Asset Creation for Film ore Games.

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).

Vancouver Animation School (VANAS) has many paths to study animation. At the diploma level, VANAS has 2D Computer Animation, 3D Computer Animation, Effects Animation, Animated Short Films programs, and Concept Art programs. Diploma Programs take 12 months to complete. Short programs include Introduction to Digital Arts and Writing for Animation. Both programs take three months to complete. 

The Animation programs at VANAS can be completed 100% online or in a hybrid (online/on campus) format. Students who choose the hybrid option will spend three hours each week on campus, where they will interact with industry professionals and other students. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at Vancouver Animation School are prepared to pursue roles across the animation and game design industries. Program alumni have landed positions at places such as DNEG, Reel FX Animation, Epic Games, Ubisoft, Gearbox Software, Bethesda Game Studios, Zynga, and Gameloft.  

Established in 2010, Vancouver Animation School is the first online institution to be fully accredited by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB). With campuses in Canada and Blaine, Washington (USA), the school is also accredited by the British Columbia Education Quality Assurance (BCEQA), The Canadian Information Center for International Credentials (CICIC), EduCanada, and the Washington Education Training Board. VANAS provides certificates, diplomas, and university pathways in the art, media, design, and technology fields.

Cégep du Vieux Montréal (CVM) has two paths to study animation across two departments. The Animation Department at Cégep du Vieux Montréal (CVM) is a Toon Boom Center of Excellence (COE). Within the department is a Cartooning diploma (DEC) program that explores animation, storyboarding, character design, coloring, and environment design. Projects for the program will be completed in a traditional format (pencil and paper) and computer-generated using the latest 2D digital animation software. 

Other program benefits include dedicated studios; access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs; and internship opportunities. The Cartooning DEC culminates with the production of a professional animated film. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as Animator, Character Designer, and Illustrator at animation studios, game design studios, television production studios, advertising agencies, and film studios. Program alumni may also pursue a bachelor’s degree in areas such as visual arts, film studies, or digital creation. 

The Cinema Animation Department at CVM is a Houdini Certified School. Within the department is a 3D Animation and Image Synthesis DEC that explores cinematography, 3D animation, and visual effects (VFX). All full-time students in this three-year program are eligible to receive a $1,500 scholarship after each successful session for a total of $9,000. 

Other program benefits include access to several animation labs, video editing rooms, a professional film studio, and technical support; courses taught by experienced professionals in the film, animation, and visual creation fields; and a first year of coursework and projects that count towards a bachelor’s degree in 3D Creation (Animated Cinema or Exploration concentration) or Video Game Creation with a concentration in Art at the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)-Montreal or the School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (NAD). 

For 3D Creation students, the time commitment to complete the bachelor’s degree will be reduced from three years, to just two. Video Game Creation students will have a lighter courseload over three years. CVM 3D Animation and Image Synthesis students also qualify to apply for bachelor’s degree programs in fields such as graphics; 3D animation and digital design for video games; film studies; and 3D animation and digital design for VFX. 

The 3D Creation program culminates with a final animated film or other work. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions at 3D animation and VFX companies, game design studios, film studios, interactive media companies, television production companies, advertising agencies, and web design studios. Possible job titles include 3D Animator, VFX Specialist, Modeler, Lighting and Visual Development Specialist, Rigger, Texturing Artist, and Compositing Artist. 

Founded in 1968, Cégep du Vieux Montréal is a public college that serves more than 5,000 students enrolled in 50+ programs, tracks, and options. Examples include Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Glass Arts, Textile Construction, Professional Photography, and Animation. CVM also provides pre-college programs such as Computer Science, Literature, Visual Arts, Social Science, and Media. Cégep du Vieux Montréal programs are recognized by the Ministry of Education.