Top 10 Animation Training Programs in Canada - 2019 School Rankings

Our 2019 rankings of the top animation training programs in Canada.

For this ranking we only consider professional training programs, that is, non-degree programs such as certificate, diploma, and similar programs that are not formal 4-year bachelor's degrees. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here. 

1. Vancouver Film School, Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver Film School (VFS) opened its doors to a class of 12 Film Production students in 1987. Today, this entertainment arts school serves more than 1,000 students enrolled in 13 full-time programs. Among these programs is a Diploma in 3D Animation & Visual Effects with Specializations in 3D Animation, 3D Modeling, and Visual Effects. The program begins with the basics of the 3D pipeline, and progresses to the studio component of the program. Students will work with faculty, industry mentors, and other students to complete a demo reel. The Diploma Program takes just 12 months to complete.

2. Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts), Vancouver, British Columbia

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Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) offers a 2D/3D Character Animation Program that begins with the Principles of Animation (Initiating Force, Path of Action, Lead/Follow, Timing/Spacing, Physics and Body Mechanics) and progresses to Honing Skills, Lighting, Rendering and the Demo Reel. Established in 1995, VanArts has articulation agreements in place with several well-established universities/colleges in Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Full Sail University (USA), Emily Carr University of Art + Design (Canada), and Deakin University (Australia) are just a few. Students may complete their bachelor’s degree in as little as one year after graduating from VanArts.

3. Think Tank Training Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia

Think Tank opened its doors in 2005 and hasn’t looked back since. This boutique campus offers individualized training and a close-knit atmosphere. Not only will you make great connections, but the campus program also gives you the ability to tour studios and connect with recruiters. The campus program, which is often sold out a year in advance, is a 12-month program structured so that you will be able to produce a professional piece specifically targeted to the career that you desire upon completion. Whether it’s animation, compositing, lighting, texturing, modeling for games or film – we have the training for you. Think Tank also offers an online school for those not able to attend the campus. We have condensed everything we know and have developed a rigorous online course with amazing results. This program is delivered over 16-months; with weekly videos and assignments and a session with a real-life supervisor to help guide you and answer any questions you may have. Think Tank graduates have been hired by many well-known studios such as EA, Digital Domain, Animal Logic, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Double Negative Visual Effects (the list goes on) and are renowned for the quality of their work.

4. Seneca College, Toronto, Ontario

Seneca College opened its doors in 1976. The school serves more than 30,000 full-time students annually enrolled in more than 300 programs leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. The school lists the following animation offerings: Graduate Certificates in 3D Animation, Game Art and Animation, and Visual Effects for Film and Television, and an Advanced Diploma in Animation. Offered through the School of Creative Arts & Animation, the programs covers traditional and computer animation, game art, and visual effects. Per the school, students will “learn to draw storyboards, design and animate characters and scenes, and practice applying theories of motion, timing, storytelling and digital technology to produce high-quality animations and designs.” Hands-on learning enables students to “utilize the equipment, facilities, and computer software currently used in the industry.” Students will leave the programs with the skills needed to produce animations for the web, television, games or film.

5. Lost Boys Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia

Based in the growing Canadian VFX hubs of Vancouver & Montreal, the award-winning Lost Boys Studios operates this extraordinary school of visual effects. With its roots as an internationally renowned VFX boutique with 20+ years of excellence. Lost Boys has both pioneered and mastered craft-centric specialized programs for feature film VFX production delivered from within a studio environment. Currently Lost Boys offers unrivaled training for the trades of Effects, Lighting, and Compositing and plans for more crafts to be offered in the future. Focused and specialized training sets a solid foundation for growth, putting alumni in high demand, and maximizing their career potential. Alumni enjoy a combined placement rate of 99% and can be found contributing to the top VFX projects in almost every major VFX facility. Lost Boys is the studio that teaches.

6. Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth, Ontario

Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology was established in 1967. The school serves more than 18,300 students enrolled in 300+ programs through dozens of departments and schools. The School of Media Design offers 22 programs, including a three-year Advanced Diploma in Animation and a one-year Pre-Animation and Illustration Certificate. The Certificate is designed to help students determine if they have the creativity, motivation, and dexterity to pursue a career in Animation, Illustration or Concept Art. The Diploma Program covers traditional, 3D, 2D tradigital and video game animation techniques. Per the school, students in the Diploma Program will take courses in Animation, Life Drawing and Design that “focus on all facets of animation” including character design, performance-based character animation, location design, gestures and anatomy studies. Graduates “gain the knowledge, skills and techniques required to work effectively as animators using a variety of tools within a professional animation or game studio.”

7. Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design, Toronto, Ontario

Max the Mutt College Of Animation, Art & Design was established in 1996. The school offers an Animation Diploma that takes four years to complete. Students in the program will take both classical and digital animation courses, as well as drawing classes, cartooning, acting for animation, character design, background painting/design, and a sequence of visual language, storytelling and storyboarding courses. In the third year, students will produce an original short. In the final year, students will move on to advanced courses in 3D Animation and participate in a simulated 3D production experience directed by an industry professional. Graduates will leave the program with a solid portfolio, a demo reel, and an online profile page. Graduates have been hired at Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Disney Design Group, Pipeline Studios, Warner Bros. Games, and many others.

8. Capilano University, North Vancouver, British Columbia

Founded in 1968, Capilano University (CapU) opened with 784 students. Today, the school serves 11,600 students across two campuses in North Vancouver and Sechelt. Programs for aspiring animators are offered through CapU’s Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts, School of Motion Picture Arts. Located in the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation, the School offers Diplomas in 2D Animation & Visual Development, 3D Animation for Film and Games, and Digital Visual Effects. An Animation Fundamentals Citation of Achievement is also available. Programs cover areas such as traditional and classical animation techniques through hands-on exercises, drawing, design, digital visual effects, and creating 3D computer-generated characters. Diplomas take two years to complete and the Citation takes just one year. Depending on the program, graduates will complete a practicum at a local studio and/or a professional-quality demo reel.

9. Bart College, Quebec City, Quebec

Established in 1917, Bart College offers Diplomas and Certificates in 3D Animation in New Media, Visual Effects (VFX), Graphic + Motion Design, and 3D Animation Techniques. Diploma programs take three years to complete and Certificate programs may be completed in three consecutive sessions. Students in all programs will master industry software such as Autodesk Maya, SideFX Houdini, Arnold Render, Adobe Photoshop, Nuke, MARI and more. Graduates of the programs are prepared to seek positions in Animation, Games, Digital Film, VFX, Digital Media, and many others.

10. Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (Humber College), Toronto, Ontario

Founded in 1967, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, better known as Humber College, is a polytechnic college offering Bachelor’s degrees, Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates in more than 180 programs of study. Humber’s School of Media Studies offers several programs for aspiring animators including a one-year Certificate in 3D Modeling and Visual Effects Production and three-year Advanced Diploma in 3D Animation. The 3D Modeling and Visual Effects Program covers the entire production pipeline process, while the 3D Animation Program covers areas such as 2D and 3D digital art technologies, animation and animation software tools, and cinematography. Upon completion of the programs, graduates are prepared to seek positions in the animation industry or enroll in a degree program at Humber partner institutions such as Davenport University (USA), York University (Canada), University of Sunderland (UK), or University of Gloucestershire (UK).