Are you in search of the top creative schools worldwide to nurture your talents and career aspirations? Look no further. In this comprehensive guide, we present the crème de la crème – the Top 50 Creative Schools in 2023.
Are you in search of the top creative schools worldwide to nurture your talents and career aspirations? Look no further. In this comprehensive guide, we present the crème de la crème – the Top 50 Creative Schools in 2023. Whether you're passionate about 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Game Design, Visual Effects, or any other creative discipline, these schools have consistently proven their excellence.
A good school in the creative media and entertainment domain is one that not only imparts knowledge but also fosters a spirit of innovation and encourages students to push the boundaries of their creativity. These institutions stand out as beacons of excellence, providing a conducive environment for budding artists, designers, animators, and storytellers to flourish.
The Rookies Global School Rankings stand out from conventional school rankings. Rather than relying solely on academic metrics, these rankings take a distinctive approach. They are powered by a community of hundreds of industry professionals who meticulously evaluate the digital art portfolios of over 5,500 students. This unique methodology ensures that the rankings are not just accurate but also industry-relevant, making them especially meaningful for creative fields.
The Rookies Global School Rankings employ a rigorous and equitable process to assess and rank creative and technical schools worldwide. These rankings primarily rely on the individual performance of students representing each institution. Each student's work is assigned a performance score, capped at 100 points. To determine a school's overall standing, the median student score is calculated, providing a fair measure that represents the middle point in a set of scores.
New3dge is a specialized private school of higher education in Paris, dedicated to Game Art, 3D Animation&VFX, and Concept Art. Our student program and teaching methods have been designed in collaboration with leading industry experts to provide our students with a curriculum that meets the highest industry standards.
Our educators are carefully selected from a global network of respected professionals, ensuring that our students receive instruction from the most qualified and experienced teachers. At New3dge, our students have access to cutting-edge technology and a constantly evolving environment to help them develop the skills necessary for success in the video game, 3D animation&VFX, and Concept Art industries.
Our campus, located in the heart of Paris, offers traditional classrooms equipped with easels and saddles for painting and sculpting, as well as digital classrooms featuring professional-grade software and hardware. We also provide support rooms and a cafeteria to create a comfortable and productive learning environment.
Moreover, being situated in Paris gives our students unparalleled access to world-class architecture, museums, and parks, which makes it one of the most inspiring cities in the world to study art and design.
In summary, at New3dge, we are committed to providing our students with a comprehensive education in the fields of art and design, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue successful careers in their chosen industry.
Savannah College of Art and Design prepares talented students for creative professions through engaged teaching and learning in a positively oriented university environment. SCAD is continually recognized for educational and professional excellence, affirming our commitment to the highest standards of achievement in art and design in the U.S. SCAD constantly researches and reimagines programs to instill the critical skills and knowledge students need to succeed in their chosen careers. SCAD consults industry leaders, gathers data on business and design needs and collects student feedback to inform the genesis and evolution of every degree taught at the university.
SCAD offers more programs and specializations than any other art and design university in the U.S., with 40 undergraduate, and 61 graduate degree programs. SCAD is one university and offering degrees in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, and online via eLearning, with additional study abroad opportunities in Lacoste, France. Each SCAD location provides a new experience, and students can choose to study in any location, at any quarter during their education. At every location and online, in every discipline, SCAD students are educated through comprehensive curricula and sophisticated technology so that they may create their most ambitious visions.
Designed to exceed the leading-edge resources found in top design firms and global headquarters, SCAD resources instill in-demand technological agility. With licensure for more than 100 software packages and remote access to next-gen programs.
School-ing was born out of a love for 3D and Architecture, a vocation for teaching and the desire to help revolutionise the way of teaching and learning. School-ing is a specialised school that seeks to give a twist to traditional training, to bring the reality of the professional market closer to the classroom and offer tools so that students can develop their artistic and creative potential.
Since 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in eleven disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. For more information, please visit www.ringling.edu.
ARTSIDE is a private higher education institution founded by Digital Art professionals, with a strong desire to offer innovative training that meets the expectations of International studios. More of 70 teachers come from the largest international studios and share this desire to train future talents. They offer with Artside a professional education and share their workflow and tools used in production and offer our students a complete professional network.
Our students develop an in-depth understanding of 3D production/Concept Art pipelines and a mastery of technical and artistic applications. Our program is based on 3 specialisations in order to train in the trades of Concept Art, 3D Character Art and 3D Environment Art for video games and extends over a 4-year Bachelor through comprehensive programs covering all production issues from current studios. A 14-month online training is also possible for those who already have artistic and technical fundamentals depending on the desired specialisation.
For over twenty years, Gnomon has educated many of the world’s best digital artists. Called “the MIT of visual effects” by Fast Company magazine, Gnomon offers a variety of educational options to help students reach their goals in the entertainment industry, with both degree and vocational certificate programs, specialized courses for high school students and over 100 individual courses for professional enrichment.
Visual effects artists launched Gnomon with the support of the entertainment industry to help meet the demand for well-trained creative talent in the growing field of digital entertainment. Our graduates are professionals working on the latest blockbuster films and games, and have positions at film and video game studios around the world.
Since 2005, Think Tank has been offering an unmatched learning experience that emphasizes collaboration and feedback with professional supervisors and mentors from across the VFX, Animation, Game Art, and CG world. Consistently ranked as one of the top schools worldwide, Think Tank's Online, Campus, and Hybrid programs offer artists a specialized and hands-on education that primes them for an exciting career in the Film, TV, and Games. Go directly from school to studio with the latest software, professional mentorship, job readiness training, and an industry-ready demo reel. Most artists who want to get into the CG industry rarely know what job position or discipline they want to end up in.
Think Tank believes in supporting your journey to discover your true passion and unique point of view. Work with Advisors, Instructors, and Personal Mentors who are themselves experienced in CG to establish exactly the type of work you want to do. Once your specialization is determined, you’ll develop an industry-ready portfolio alongside your mentor that is catered towards a particular career, and ofter, a specific studio. This means that when you’re looking for that first job, your work will already be elevated above the average generalist. Up for the challenge? Think Tank is here to help you take the next step.
3dsense Media School is a leading digital arts school in Asia, preparing students for careers in the creative entertainment industry since 2003. We focus on providing industry-based training for Visual Effects, Animation, Game Art, Motion Design, Concept Art, Illustration and Toy Production. Since 2015, 3dsense has been consistently ranked amongst the Top 10 Art Schools globally by “The Rookies World School Rankings”, the world’s most respected ranking system for creative media schools.
Besides education, the school also plays a major role in fostering a vibrant arts & design industry through its events and masterclasses. These include CGOverdrive, CG Hero Awards, and “Behind the Pixels”, a YouTube interview channel providing unparalleled access to industry veterans sharing vital knowledge and insights.
Since 1985, Ecole Pivaut Supérieure Technique Privée d'Arts Appliqués has been running courses whose academic and technical qualities are recognized by the set of professions towards which the students are heading for.
Driven on by that willpower, the whole educational team – teachers and outside experienced professionals – endeavor to update and match the contents of each course with the reality of the working world.
We are a specialized educational institution for CG and VFX (Visual Effects) located in Seoul, Busan, and Daegu, South Korea. Many of our graduates currently work for top VFX and 3D animation companies worldwide. We welcome students of all levels of experience. Our systematic curriculum is designed to guide students with no prior experience towards becoming CG and VFX professionals. For students who already have experience, we provide specialized education in their chosen areas of interest.
Regardless of their skill level upon entry, our goal is for all students to acquire practical and comprehensive skills in the field of CG and VFX by the end of the program. SFFS is an ideal school for both beginners and experienced individuals in the industry.
Established in 1991 as a private art college, The One Academy of Communication Design soon proved its worth producing industry-standard graduates. For over three decades, we have been providing education excellence in art, design, creativity & technology to nurture generations of young creative talents.
Through our “Masters Train Masters” teaching philosophy where we believe that the best educators nurture the best students, our faculty team consists of industry professionals and we regularly invite leading experts from various industries to share their knowledge and provide insight into their fields.
TOA has made monumental achievements in the global creative education scene. We ranked World’s No. 1 for Best Production Excellence in Game Design & Development (Immersive Media) in The Rookies 2022, 8th in the ‘Top 25 International Animation Training Programs 2021’ by Animation Career Review (ACR), and were named ‘Creative School of the Year’ by the Kancil Awards in 2018, 2019 & 2022.
We offer internationally-recognised Bachelor's Degree and Diploma courses in Digital Animation, Illustration, Film Visual Effects, Advertising & Graphic Design, Digital Media Design, Interior Architecture and Design, Fine Arts and Fashion Design & Pattern Making. Through our collaboration with DigiPen USA, we now also offer programmes in Game Design and Computer Science.
ARTFX is a private digital arts college, training its students in CGI, VFX, 3D Animation and Video Games. Located in Montpellier (France), the school was created by professionals of the film, video games and visual effects industries. As the only school in Europe specialising in compositing CGI into live-action footage, ARTFX is a reference for CGI and CG animation training.
At ARTFX you will develop professional level skills and build a solid network of contacts thanks to our close partnerships with professional artists. Thanks to these connections our graduates also have a 99% placement rate in major post-production studios within France and around the world. As a private establishment of higher education technical training, ARTFX is a member and co-founder of the Network of French Film and Animation.
Yrgo, Higher Vocational Education Gothenburg, is part of the education administration in the City of Gothenburg and has one of Sweden's widest range of vocational higher education programs. Our goal is for all students to get a job immediately after the education in a relevant professional field. The courses are developed and run in close collaboration with private companies, public businesses, industry organizations and universities.
We develop and implement high-quality qualified vocational training. This is done with great professionalism and deep commitment together with working life and students. The result is well-educated students who can immediately fill in-demand positions in working life.
Voxel School, University College of Digital Arts, was created as a cross-cutting model of communication within areas of key importance for Digital Economy: the videogame sector, animation, VFX, Architectural Visualization and design, all of them in their different dimensions.
The institution is managed by professionals from the entertainment industry, videogames, cinema, VFX, and new technologies heavily connected to university management and training for more than a decade.
Voxel School aims to be a useful tool for the society in developing new areas in the field of digital arts, aligned with the current working scenario. To achieve its goals, the school focuses on recruiting top teaching professionals as well as on providing a high-performance experience to their students. The University School has significant strategic partnerships to connect university and industry. In addition to other top players in the industry, the partnership with Sony PlayStation Iberia for teaching university studies sets the standard, which ensures joint work for the integration of Voxel School students in the professional environment of the videogame.
Since 2016 Voxel School is an Associated Center of the Complutense University of Madrid for the delivery of its own university graduate degrees and is a recognised academic institution part of Deusto University as well.
PIXL VISN was founded in 2010 by industry professionals Andrei Stirbu and Robb Innes. We offer an accelerated 18-month 3D Animation and Visual Effects training program in a modern facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, located in the heart of Cologne, Germany. We are now the largest talent factory for 3D Visual Effects Artists in the German-speaking region.
Instructors at PIXL VISN are a part of the industry: They work in relevant positions at major studios around the world helping to create major Hollywood feature films, hit television series and blockbuster video games, so you learn directly from industry professionals and benefit from their current professional experience.
Our graduates have worked on productions like “Avengers: Endgame”, “House of the Dragon” and “Avatar: The Way of Water”. Many of our alumni are also working in responsible positions, e.g. as Senior VFX Coordinator, Lead Animator or Rigging/CFX Supervisor.
PIXL VISN is consistently one of the best schools in the world: Since 2018, we are repeatedly listed in the official “World School Rankings®️” at “The Rookies” in the TOP 10 of the world's best schools in the categories “Visual Effects” and “3D Animation”.
Digital Arts & Entertainment (DAE) is a state-of-the-art, yet accessible, English-taught Bachelor’s degree. Fully accredited, 3 years, amounting to 180 ECTS credits. DAE is taught at Howest, a modern and unconventional university of applied sciences, situated in a small but beautiful historic city in Flanders, Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe. At DAE you can choose between 4 study majors: Game Development, Game Graphics Production, Independent Game Production or 3D Production & VFX.
It is an industry-approved and award-winning curriculum, with alumni in leading companies and studios all over the world, such as Blizzard, Bungie, Ubisoft, DICE, Rocksteady, Guerrilla Games, Larian, Unity, Studio Gobo, Sumo Digital, ILM, MPC, DNeg and many more. We offer an open, inclusive and international community where you will work on real-life, team-based and industry-assessed projects and assignments. We focus on a practically-oriented education where you receive training by qualified experts. This, together with international guest lectures by key industry speakers and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, makes for an ideal environment to become an expert in the industry.
Our campus is located at the heart of Western Europe, based in the small, comprehensive, safe and beautiful historic city of Kortrijk, at the banks of the river Leie, where over 1000 years of history meet with modern architecture and design. Here we offer our high-quality degree for a comparatively very low tuition fee. Graduating from our industry-approved and award-winning curriculum, many of our alumni work in leading companies and studios all over the world. This is strengthened by our unique technical artists profile. No matter what major you choose, you will have a good grasp of what your colleagues are up to, which makes cooperation easier.
Learn to create. Influence change. This is our mission statement—and our answer to how art and design impact our global society. Part call-to-action. Part promise. All opportunity.
ArtCenter College of Design offers a new model for art and design education in the 21st century. Our visionary approach is based on the College’s conservatory-like approach to teaching and learning; a desire for rich, intercultural and transdisciplinary dialogue; and a mandate to provide students innovative learning and making spaces.
Even with the challenges of today—including a global pandemic, coming to terms with issues of social justice, and the changing landscape of higher education—ArtCenter’s future is full of possibility. And to realize that possibility, the College is intent on improving access, affordability and inclusion in a meaningful way. These values have been the driving force in much of our planning and will continue to inform the College’s development for years to come.
Do you want to design products and services that are both meaningful and sustainable and that improve our living environment? Think of lighting, lawn mowers, smart devices, travel bags, wearables or kitchen tools, but also buses, machines, VR headsets, wheelchairs, and really all the products we use in our daily lives.
In the Bachelor of Industrial Product Design programme, you learn every step of the design process: from creative concept, design and technical development to the presentation of a production-ready design. Key concepts include circularity, creativity, material knowledge, prototyping and sustainability.
This programme is unique in Belgium. Practical experience is ever-present in this creative programme. In the design studios and prototyping workshops of the Industrial Design Center, you experiment with wood, metal and textile processing, 3D printing, laser cutting, water jet cutting, thermoforming, welding, ceramics, and more. You will also be challenged to test your concepts with real people, make them technically ready for production, and refine them in terms of shape, material, color and texture.
We offer a wide range of training programs, including VFX, 3D Cinema Art, Game Art, 3D Animation, 2D Animation, Concept Art, Art Direction, Game Design, Game Programming and Media. All such sections interact on ambitious projects, such as short movies and video games, and they also collaborate with the Design sections, on ventures ranging from VR to mapping and interactive exhibitions.
With over 1200 students, we are currently the largest private school of Art in France (outside Paris) and in 2019, Bellecour Ecole was acquired by Galileo Global Education, the European leader of Education (and n°2 worldwide).
Brassart was created in 1949 and originally provided training courses in tradition arts before moving towards graphic and digital design. They began teaching 3D in 2002, acquired the 3D specialized school “ESMI” in Bordeaux in 2017, and became a new entity in 2019 with the acquisition of the group “Ecole Aries” who is specialised in 3D Design, VFX, Animation and Video Games. Brassart in 2020 is made up of 12 schools proposing programs in Graphic Design, Video Games, and 3D, VFX, & Animation.
School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for more than six decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, dynamic curriculum and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprised of more than 6,000 students at its Manhattan campus and over 41,000 alumni from 100 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For information about the College’s 32 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
“The only constant is change”, so training in the field of new technologies is essential to progress in today's digital world.
With a professional staff delivering the best 3D education programs in Spanish for the past 25 years, butic offers authorized and specialized programs covering fields like 3D Visualization, Visual Effects or 3D Modeling, all of them delivered by highly professional instructors, those who make us the only online school simultaneously authorized by leading companies like Autodesk, Adobe, Chaos Group, Itoo Software or Epic Games Unreal Engine, something extremely important in order to get a high quality and certified education recognized around the world. Our reputation and results, allow us to have more than 95% placement rate for our graduates who have found jobs within their field of study. Because of this, students rate us as 5 out of 5 in our public Google profile.
As part of EPIC GAMES Connectors Program launched in 2022, butic is one of the selected 14 schools around the world authorized as Unreal Engine Premier Training Center, dedicated to teaching artists visual storytelling in real time.
If you speak Spanish and you want to change your life, we are here to help.
Staffordshire University has always been ahead of the game. For more than 100 years, we’ve led the way in innovation and have championed new technologies and personalised learning.
We are a world-leading centre for excellence in games education, with a legacy of innovation and industry engagement. Now with more than 2,000 students on our games-related courses, from foundation to PhD level, we are the largest games department in Britain.
Our students have access to superb industry connections, exciting placement opportunities and professional-standard facilities.
These include workstations with RTX3080 and RTX2080s graphics cards, the latest Cintiq and Intuos Wacom tablets, alongside top-grade software. Our motion capture stage includes a huge space for students to record sessions, and the latest Vicon cameras to capture performances to stunning levels of detail.
And through the Smart Technologies Hub, students can use the latest VR headsets, haptic feedback devices, laser scanning equipment, and more.
Just some of the many reasons why Staffordshire University is world-renowned for games education.
For nearly 15 years, The Game Assembly (TGA) has been educating highly skilled game developers for the global games industry.
At our campuses in Malmo and Stockholm, Sweden, we provide education for Game Animators, Game Artists, Game Programmers, Level Designers, Procedural Artists, and Technical Artists. Each program spans 1.5 to 2.5 years, with a significant portion dedicated to a game company internship. Our approach divides your time between specific courses for your field and collaborative, cross-disciplinary game development. We primarily focus on creating 3D games and emphasize the use of agile methods and regular feedback.
Since 2022, in partnership with Kaplan, we also offer an apprenticeship master program in the UK for in-depth game programming exploration.
We closely collaborate with the games industry, both in Sweden and internationally, to ensure that our education aligns with employers' expectations. During your time at TGA, you will have the opportunity to meet guest speakers, attend workshops, and receive feedback from industry experts. Our graduates are now spread worldwide, forming a fantastic network benefiting both the school and our students.
A degree from TGA is your ticket to a creative and exciting profession, with the entire world as your field of work.
Residing at the intersection of creativity and technology, CG Spectrum and CG Spectrum Institute are global online training providers for the film, video game, and creative industries, delivering an industry-standard education.
They provide online, expert-led courses and accredited degrees and diplomas in animation, VFX, game development, digital painting, virtual production, and 3D visualization, along with career development services and access to a vibrant online community of over 4,000 students, alums, and industry professionals.
CG Spectrum is an Unreal Authorized Training Center, Unreal Academic Partner, SideFX Certified Training Provider, Toon Boom Authorized Training Center, and Chaos Academic Partner.
CG Spectrum at a glance:
CG Spectrum Institute is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), combining academic excellence with real-world industry practices to ensure students receive a high-quality education.
CG Spectrum Institute at a glance:
University of the Arts London (UAL) is Europe’s largest specialist art and design university. Its unique creative community is made up of 6 renowned Colleges, each with its own world-class reputation: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL is the world’s number 2 University for Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings® 2022. Offering an extensive range of courses in art, design, fashion, communication and performing arts, UAL is the main talent pipeline to the UK’s creative industries.
Home to a diverse community of over 21,000 students from 129 countries, UAL has a track record for launching and furthering careers. Our graduates can be found in every part and at every level of the creative and cultural sectors, from heads of global business to self-employed practitioners, and on shortlists for awards ranging from the Turner Prize to the Oscars. Building on UAL’s association with some of the most original thinkers in the arts, students and staff are inspired to challenge convention, generate new ideas and nurture talent. Home to award-winning staff and students for more than a century, UAL’s Colleges are at the forefront of learning, creativity and practice in their specialist subjects. This close-knit College structure offers opportunities for learning and enquiry for people at all stages of their creative development.
ESMA is a higher education establishment specialising in CG Animation and Special Effects, which also offers courses in interior architecture, graphical design, video game design and concept art, with campuses in Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Rennes and Toulouse in France, but also in Montreal, in Canada.
Each of our campuses in France, are equipped with student housing, thus facilitating the needs of foreign students looking to study at ESMA.
ESMA offers a comprehensive professional course, over a 5-year cycle, dedicated to learning the ropes of CG Animation and FX (certified Lv7 RNCP, which is equivalent to the French Bac +5), allowing students to receive a complete and professional training in every aspect of the CG production pipeline. The campuses in Lyon and Montpellier also offer this course in English for international students.
After graduating, the students are ready to join the industry in cinema, video games, advertising, TV, etc. Within 6 months of graduation, 92% of our students get hired, and many of them join renowned studios, seeing their names in the credits of many a blockbuster or hit TV show.
During its 30 years of expertise, ESMA earned international renown. Every year, it is counted in the top 10 schools in the world in rankings recognised by the industry, and the movies created by our students receive awards and nominations in the greatest film festivals.
The School of Creative Arts is the oldest part of the University of Hertfordshire, and its roots date back to 1890 with the formation of St Albans School of Art that later merged with the University in the 20th century. The School prides itself on its devotion to teaching creativity and the skills required to enable students to reach the goals they want from a degree and future career. It combines a wealth of physical resources that cover all aspects of creative arts production from animation, games and film, to fashion, print making, ceramics and architectural design to name a few.
A large base of talented staff with working experience of the industries they teach in allows students to gain knowledge from those who have already worked in the areas they wish to enter after graduation. The School maintains close links with many companies in the creative industries, allowing students to be part of live projects, company visits, guest lectures on specialist cutting edge topics and to get to meet the people and companies who inspired them to begin their journey into art in the first place.
Creative Media Institute is the world’s leading education provider in creative media industries with over 50 campuses globally. SAE offers degree, diploma and certificate courses across the six disciplines of: Animation, Audio, Design, Film, Games as well as Interactive Technologies. For over 30 years, SAE Institute has maintained a strong commitment to providing high-quality practical education in creative media technologies, producing graduates with industry skills to fill integral professional roles within the sector. Each course at SAE focuses on teaching high-end technical production techniques specific to its niche, developing broader industry perspectives, and creative, analytical, communication and project management skills.
As an SAE student you will have access to our industry-leading campuses, utilise the latest equipment and software, and benefit from our extensive industry network. We’re passionate about our students’ potential and encourage them to chase their dreams. We promise that your SAE experience – wherever you are enrolled in the world – will offer a progressive learning experience to meet your creative and professional aspirations, help you stand out from the crowd, and give you a ticket to the global stage.
Norwich University of the Arts is a dynamic, modern and creative community providing arts, design, architecture and media education from a unique campus at the heart of the city. Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) has established itself in arts, design and media education for over 170 years. But while our history can be traced back to 1845, our outlook is forward-thinking. From a city centre campus that boasts cutting-edge facilities, to an approach to teaching which saw us awarded Gold under the Teaching Excellence Framework and ranked 10th in the UK for teaching quality by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, our reputation for excellence is well-earned.
NUA has thrived as an established University, developing a national reputation as an innovative and creative academic community, with a firm commitment to offering vocational, practice based courses that afford students space to develop their skills and pursue their passion.
U-tad is a higher education institution that was founded in 2011 by pioneering entrepreneurs in the technology and digital art sectors, who identified there was an urgent need in the industry to serve the existing demand for highly qualified professionals in the digital economy. In years prior, U-tad’s founders had created Pyro Studios (Videogame Studio that created world famous ‘Commandos’) and Ilion Animation Studios (which premiered succesful landmarks of Spanish animation such as the international launch ‘Planet 51’).
U-tad offers official Undergraduate Degrees, Vocational Education and Masters in Animation, VFX, Digital Design, Videogames (Art, Design and Engineering), Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics, AR/VR and Cybersecurity. It counts over 1,900 students and a faculty of over 320 professors of which 80% are active professionals in the industry.
U-tad is rated among the top 10 International Universities for Videogame studies in the ‘Game Schools Ranking’ (by GAMEducation), among the best 25 universities in which to study Animation (by ‘Animation Magazine’), and Top 10 Computer Science Excellence University (by ‘SEDEA Excellence Ranking’).
U-tad was the first Spanish education institution to develop study programs in which students work on real, multidisciplinary projects that emulate the industry work dynamics. This practical ‘learning by doing’ teaching methodology and project-based learning means that U-tad’s students develop reels and projects which will become their presentation portfolio to companies upon completion of their studies. Being able to achieve job opportunities in major companies worldwide and to win important international awards.
PlaygroundSquad is a higher vocational education in game development, stationed in Falun, Sweden. PlaygroundSquad is a polytechnic where students quickly enter the job market towards the gaming industry. We train our students in game development for two years to get them into work as quickly as possible. We have three disciplines of study; programming, game design and game art. The education consists of four semesters over a two year period time.
Nearly every course/project is team-based where individual contributions are assessed and used to develop a games industry professional that is ready to be effective from the 1st day of internship or graduate job. We want students to start with a foundation in either art, programming or design and then develop production abilities to participate in cross-discipline game development teams that emulate industry.
Since 1988, DigiPen Institute of Technology has been preparing students to succeed as skilled digital artists, designers, and engineers. Our programs are designed to reflect the standards and practices of the digital entertainment industries, where teams with different backgrounds and skills collaborate to apply their knowledge, overcome challenges, and build amazing things together. Since becoming the first college in the world to offer a bachelor's degree in video game technology and development, our graduates have helped ship more than 2,000 commercial game titles, from landmark indie masterpieces to groundbreaking AAA hits. They have also contributed to a growing number of popular TV and film franchises as directors, animators, VFX artists, and more.
BigRock School has been training the next generation of artists in Computer Graphics and 3D Animation, Concept Art, Video Game Production, New Technologies, and Entertainment Music for over 20 years.
BigRock's Master's courses, highly regarded in the business world, skillfully blend excellent preparation with creative and social experiences designed to shape the next generation of artists and programmers. These individuals dream of inspiring the world with their imaginations in turn.
FX Barcelona Film School is a multidisciplinary school that combines audiovisual creativity, digital art and new technologies to train digital artists and audiovisual content creators of the present and the future of this thriving industry that is entertainment in film, series, video games, animation and virtual reality among others. The cross-disciplinary training in all areas allows its Master's and Career training programmes to be unique and highly valued by companies in the sector. That is why our graduates have a 99% job placement rate: the school offers them international job opportunities, paid internships and in-company trainings guaranteed and managed by the school.
3D College is based on the continuous interaction between industry needs and student training. Our unique Nordic vocational model lets the industry shape large parts of our curriculum, and our students embed themselves in value-creating apprenticeships in design, film and game companies in Denmark and abroad. Our teaching faculty supports student learning within this vocational framework, from facilitating the contact to companies, to mentoring and supporting the students to achieve industry-standard level skills and tailored portfolios to quick-start their entry into the industry.
Our state accredited institution is benchmarked on how successful our students are, based on how many find full-time and long-term careers within our field – so our students’ success are our success and highest aim.
We are proud of what we achieve with our students, and The Rookies' rankings have continually proved our educational model to provide top notch 3d skills. We aim to be at the cutting edge of development, and routinely invest resources in developing new course materials with industry leaders and Nordic brands - and achieve certifications within developing technologies.
We are teaching CG graphics based on sincerity and trust so that those who study CG can achieve their desired goals.
Games and creative computing are transforming how we experience the world and are driving the development of new technologies. Join us at the Games Academy to become part of this journey, learn from industry leaders and develop real products with team members who live and breathe games and computer science. Build your own games from day one and have the opportunity to establish your own company in your third year. Work in one of largest and best equipped dedicated game making spaces of any university in the UK.
Change the games industry by making original games for new markets. Work in a department dedicated to gaming and be surrounded by people working in all aspects of the industry. Develop a multi-disciplinary approach, using Unity and Unreal to touch upon all aspects of game creation. Have the flexibility to change your area of specialism based on your skills and interests. Creating unique games means working in a unique way. So we anticipate the future of the industry, and collaborate with skill sets from across the creative world. As a game, app or immersive content developer, you’ll have the chance to work with actors in motion capture suites, artists, writers, composers, and business experts who can train you to market and profit from your games while you’re studying.
The National Centre for Computer Animation has been at the forefront of computer graphics and animation education and research in the UK since 1989. In 2011, the Centre was presented with the Queen’s Anniversary Award for “World-class computer animation teaching with wide scientific and creative applications” and its contribution to world-leading excellence and pioneering development in the teaching of computer animation. The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes form part of the national honours system and are the most prestigious awards in UK education.
Many BU graduates have gone on to win awards for the quality of their visual effects work, including Oscar winners for films such as Inception, Interstellar and Ex Machina.
Since 1929, Academy of Art University has helped prepare aspiring artists and designers for professional careers by offering 135+ accredited degree options in more than 40 areas of study. Choose from animation and visual effects, game design and development, illustration, fine art, communications, filmmaking, and more. We are first and foremost a professional school—a purpose-based art and design school where students develop their talents and acquire the specific skills sought by the creative marketplace. Our hands-on curriculum is taught by some of the finest minds working in today’s creative and innovative industries—professional artists and designers who bring their industry expertise to the classroom. Academy students graduate with a solid creative foundation, business savvy, and an entrepreneurial spirit that tends to stick with them for life.
Animum is an internationally recognized graduate school committed to excellence. We offer the highest level of specialization in each of our masters, with a 100% professional training, with the highest rigor and commitment to quality. Some of the disciplines we teach in our school are 3D Modeling, 3D Animation, Illustration and Concept Art, VFX, Compositing and Lighting.
With campuses in Stockholm, Malmo, Boden, Skellefteå, and Karlstad (Sweden) and Warsaw (Poland), Futuregames offers a diverse range of educational programs at various levels. From short courses for seasoned professionals to full-time programs for aspiring game developers entering the industry, we cater to different interests and aspirations.
Boasting nearly 20 years of experience, Futuregames has consistently ranked among the top game education institutions worldwide. Our alumni, comprising over 14% of the Swedish games industry, excel in fields such as game art, game design, programming, VFX, QA, and more.
We take pride in our commitment to bridging the gap between education and the professional industry. Collaborating with renowned game companies like Avalanche Studios, CD Project Red, Coldwood Interactive, EA DICE, Epic Games, Fatshark Games, King, Glorious Games Group, Level Eight, NEAT Corporation, North Kingdom, Paradox Arctic, Starbreeze Studios, Star Stable, Turborilla, Ubisoft, Zordix, and many others, we provide an immersive learning environment.
USW Cardiff is one of the largest providers of Creative Industries Education in the UK, with a curriculum covering Illustration, Animation, Graphic Communication, Film and Media Production, to Drama, Performance, Music and Dance. Partnerships with major employers have led to 95% of our graduates entering employment within 6 months of graduation. Our graduates work for major studios including Disney Pixar, Rockstar Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, EA Games, DreamWorks and broadcasters including BBC, HBO along with many independent companies.
USW Cardiff prides itself on its vibrant city-centre location with several animation and games employers within easy reach. The Faculty offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across the areas of - Animation and Games, Film & VFX, Music and Sound, Journalism & Media, & Performance, Design Communication, Fashion & Photography – all ideally placed within the same landmark building to foster a ‘culture of collaboration’ between them. All courses are united by a course structure that supports the development of ‘creativity’, ‘skills’ and ‘professionalism’, and is underpinned by a shared ethos that focuses upon twenty-first graduate skills.
UA School has been educating artists for over 25 years. It is one of the best animation schools in Spain, Europe, and worldwide, according to Animation Career Review. The range of careers offered is sure to please the needs of any student. If you are interest in pursuing a career in Animation, Video Games, Visual Effects, or Cinema, we have expert academic advisors that will help you choose the right career path for you from our extensive course catalogue. Our instructors are industry professionals which ensures that you will learn the latest technology and processes. In addition to this, we are very agile in introducing new concepts and technologies relevant to the industry.
UA School aims to take your passion and professionalize it. We aim to transform you and your capabilities so you can enter the industry with confidence and a portfolio that will show your strengths and abilities. You can choose to come and learn in person in our three-story, state-of-the-art building in Valencia with an array of the best hardware and software available or you can opt for online learning either from our Valencia Campus in Spain or from our recently opened Hollywood headquarters. Universal Arts School is an Unreal Academic partner and Houdini Certified school. Our students manage to win the best contests and have access to leading companies in the industry. We are the link you need to accomplish your goals.
Our mission is their creative career. That is why we've created a world-class support program which helps our students not only to get a degree, and become a sought after digital artist, but to build an exiting creative career.
At Artline Institute, we focus on each and every student individually. We help them to hone their creative powers, connect them with renown mentors and provide access to leading companies well beyond their studies at our school.
We believe a world yearning for hope and joy needs the graduates of Brigham Young University—disciples of Jesus Christ who are driven by love for God and His children and who are prepared to serve and lead. This preparation demands a unique university model: at BYU, belief enhances inquiry, study amplifies faith, and revelation leads to rich understanding; at BYU, helping students develop their full divine potential is central to both our teaching and our scholarship. As the flagship higher education institution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU strives to be among the exceptional universities in the world and an essential university for the world.
Abertay University offers world-leading courses in computer arts and computer games technology, as well as expertise in business, engineering, health, science and sport.
Applied education, skills development and close links with the business community are at the heart of this, with Abertay focused on giving graduates the ability to step straight into a business and be productive from day one. Increasingly, these graduates also look to start their own companies.
One of Abertay’s core strengths is computer games education, with students travelling from across the world to study in Dundee. The university launched the world’s first Computer Games Technology degree in 1997, and now leads the UK in producing highly-skilled, creative young people at the forefront of the rapidly-evolving games industry.
Games technology is also being harnessed at Abertay to solve problems in cancer drug discovery, climate change and environmental science. Using high-powered games graphics lets scientists from different disciplines share their research visually, and engages policymakers by clearly communicating very complex data.
Abertay is also home to applied research groups in soil science, wastewater management and food science, among others, all with a strong focus on delivering impact through generating new knowledge and enhancing the skills of the local and national workforce.
The Animation Workshop/VIA University College (TAW) enjoys a strong and wide reputation due to the top educations we provide for the international film industry, yet we are much more than a school. The Animation Workshop is located in Viborg, Denmark. It is a part of VIA University College’s School of Business, Technology and Creative Industries and has expertise in the areas of education, culture, communication, and business development. To this effect, it benefits from a strong international network of artists, professionals, companies, funding institutions, and partner schools.
Escape Studios is one of the UK's leading animation, games and VFX schools, supplying the industry with studio-ready talent. Our courses are designed and delivered with industry experts within a welcoming, close-knit and successful community.
Our world-class industry partners include Industrial Light & Magic, PlayStation London Studio, Framestore, The Mill, DNEG, Milk VFX, Creative Assembly, Cinesite, Blue Zoo and MPC. Through our partnership with Epic Games, we were the UK’s first Unreal Authorized Training Center and are an Unreal Engine Academic Partner.
Approved and endorsed internationally as a Rookies and Houdini certified school, we offer a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses. Our Escapees have worked on award-winning TV series Stranger Things and Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with Oscar and BAFTA nominated films such as Avatar: The Way of Water, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Batman, Elvis, Top Gun: Maverick, The Banshees of Inisherin and bestselling games Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted 2 and Forza Horizon.
Absolutely not. However, enrolling in one of these creative institutions can significantly boost your career prospects and expand your creative horizons. Ultimately, your success hinges on your determination, mindset, and dedication.
No need to fret. If college isn't currently feasible, you can embark on your creative journey by enhancing your skills independently. Start by mastering industry-standard software and working on personal projects. A robust portfolio from The Rookies that showcases your work can be a powerful asset, often more valuable than a degree.
Selecting the perfect creative media and entertainment school is an art in itself. The ideal institution should offer a program that aligns with your passion. Whether it's film, animation, design, or another creative avenue, a relevant curriculum is key. Consider factors like location, campus size, and available extracurricular activities. Thorough research and even campus visits can illuminate your path.
Unlocking the full potential of your creative education is in your hands. Attend your classes with enthusiasm and actively engage in discussions and projects. Keep meticulous notes. Enrich your experience by participating in extracurricular activities, whether it's joining creative clubs, embarking on projects, or collaborating with peers. These experiences foster valuable connections.