What are the top animation colleges in France?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rubika | Valenciennes |
| 2 | MoPA | Arles |
| 3 | Ecole Superieure des Metiers Artistiques (ESMA) | Montpellier |
| 4 | ArtFX | Montpellier |
| 5 | The Georges Melies School | Orly |
Our 2019 rankings of the top animation colleges in France. For this ranking we only consider formal degree programs (bachelor's degree or equivalent). For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
1. Rubika, Valenciennes, France
Since 1988, Rubika has been producing “high-level creatives” that go on to successful careers in the Animation and Digital Visual Effects industries. With 1,800 graduates to date and a 90% employment rate within a year, Rubika offers a Bachelor of Animation with specializations in 3D Animation and FX/VFX Special Effects. The program consists of five Intensives, including Video, Motion Design, Character Creation, Stop Motion, and BD Project, along with five years of apprenticeship leading to the production of a short animated film. The short films of Supinfocom are recognized by industry professionals around the world, including prestigious animation festivals such as MIFA Annecy, SIGGRAPH, ITFS Stuttgart, and many others.
2. MoPA, Arles, France
MoPA, the Computer Graphics Animation School, began as Supinfocom Arles in 1988. Since then, the school says that it has trained hundreds of “top-level professionals” who are now working in all major international studios. MoPA offers a five-year Advanced Diploma as CG filmmaker, Certified Level 1, by the National Committee for Professional Certification (Level 7 Europe). This is the equivalent of a master’s degree. Throughout this upper-level program, students will work on the same equipment and software used in professional studios. A render farm and 200 computers loaded with 3DS Max, Nuke, Substance Painter, Houdini, and more are available. In the final year of the program, students will produce an animated short film, which is presented to a jury made up of industry professionals.
3. Ecole Superieure des Metiers Artistiques (ESMA) Montpellier, Montpellier, France
Graduates of the CG Animation & FX program at Ecole Superieure des Metiers Artistiques (ESMA) Montpellier enjoy a 100% employment rate within just nine months after graduation. Per the school, the program, which leads to a master’s degree, focuses on “both artistic and technical knowledge,” while teaching students to master 3D software used by animation studios, production companies and video game firms. In addition to the Montpellier campus, the 4-year CG Animation & FX program is offered at the Lyon, Montreal, Nantes, and Toulouse, France campuses.
Note: ESMA launched a Certificate of Collegial Studies (CCS/ACS/AEC) in 3D Animated Cinema and Visual Effects in September 2018. The program is offered at the Montreal, France campus.
4. ArtFX, Montpellier, France
In 2004, professionals from the film, animation, video game and visual effects industries created ArtFX. With around 470 students, 70 graduates annually and 510 alumni working abroad, ArtFX is one of the few European schools that specializes in both filming techniques and compositing. Degree pathways include a Bachelor of 2D Animation or Stop-Motion, and a Master of 3D Animation, CGI & Visual Effects or Video Games. A Professional Certificate in Programming for Video Games & VFX are also available. The Bachelor’s degree programs take three years to complete and the Master’s programs take five years. All programs include workshops, internships, presentation in front of a jury of professional artists, meetings with professional artists, and completion of a short 2D or Stop Motion animated film. Master’s program students will also create a demo reel, and develop and direct a short animated film.
5. The Georges Melies School, Orly, France
Founded in 1999 and located just 22 miles from Paris, The Georges Melies School serves nearly 300 students enrolled in three distinct areas: Artisan of the Animee Image, Fine Arts Workshop, and Artisan of the Video Game. The Animation Program offers training in the fields of Animation Cinema and Digital Visual Effects. Students in the program will learn to work on the entire production line of a film, while honing their stop motion, editing, modeling, special effects, and directing skills. In addition to an internship experience, the final year of the program provides the opportunity to work in teams to complete a market-ready animated film in a real studio environment. Graduates of the program are prepared to seek careers in a multitude of industries from Animation Cinema or Visual and Digital Effects to Architecture, Aeronautics, Medical Imaging, and more.