What are the top animation colleges in Canada?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheridan College | Ontario |
| 2 | Emily Carr University of Art + Design | Vancouver |
| 3 | NAD | Montreal |
| 4 | Universite Laval | Quebec |
| 5 | Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue | Quebec |
Our 2019 rankings of the top animation colleges in Canada. For this ranking we only consider formal degree programs (bachelor's degree or equivalent). For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
1. Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Referred to as the Harvard of Animation, Sheridan College has been considered one of the best animation schools in the world for 50 years. Offered through the Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design, the schools Honors (Hons) Bachelor of Animation emphasizes classical principles of animation in a variety of forms, including 2D digital, 3D and stop motion. Students in the program gain professional experience during a mandatory three-month work placement, and at the school’s Annual Industry Day, students meet with employers from across North America. Graduates of the program go on to work in television and feature animation at major studios around the world.
2. Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver, British Columbia
Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) is one of Canada’s top Art and Design universities. Serving 2,000 students, ECU has four distinct faculties including the Faculty of Culture + Community, Ian Gillespie Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media, Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies, and Audain Faculty of Art. Ian Gillespie Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media offers Bachelor of Media Arts degrees in 2D & Experimental Animation and 3D Computer Animation. Students in both programs engage in in-depth study of animation principles, design, character development, story and production techniques that expose them to every aspect of animation production. Students will create several major film projects that will help prepare them for employment in various animation, visual effects, and cultural industries.
3. NAD, School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
NAD, School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design has been around since 1991, but it is one of the oldest 3D Animation and VFX school’s in Quebec, with more than 2,000 alumni to date, working in studios around the world. The school offers a 90 credit hour, three-year BA in 3D Animation and Digital Design with two concentrations: Visual Effects for Film and Video and Video Games. Program highlights include access to the latest animation software and technology, Visual Effects Society and SIGGRAPH chapter activities, MHUG (Montreal Houdini User Group), weekly conferences and reviews by key talent from local companies, industry-leading instructors, and collaborative workspaces that encourage creativity and teamwork. NAD also has a noteworthy job placement rate. Within a few months after graduation, 80% of NAD graduates are working in the field.
4. Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada
Universite Laval, North America’s very first French-language university, traces its roots back to 1663. The school serves 43,000 students enrolled in nearly 500 bachelor, master, doctorate, certificate, and graduate diploma programs. Among these programs are two options for aspiring animators: a BA in Animation Science (B. Anim.) and a Certificate in Art and Science of Animation. Offered through the Faculty of Planning, Architecture, Art and Design’s School of Design, the programs highlight teaching based on exploration, collaboration, and project-based learning, access to several workshops and specialized laboratories, internship opportunities, and a personal workspace. Graduates of the programs go on to establish careers in Animation, Visual Effects, Game Design, Multimedia Product Design, Filmmaking, Scriptwriting, and many others.
5. Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec Canada
Established in 1970, Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT) consists of three campuses and four centers serving around 5,200 students enrolled in 10 broad areas of study. The Creation and New Media Area offers a Bachelor in 3D Creation, a Bachelor in Digital Creation with a Specialization in 3D Creation, and a Master in Digital Creation. The Bachelor in 3D Creation has majors in Animated Cinema, Exploration and Experimentation, and Creation in 3D. Both undergraduate programs require 90 credit hours of study and the Master’s program requires 45 hours. All programs provide access to state-of-the-art facilities such as specialized laboratories, including a motion capture studio, opportunities to collaborate with cultural events and major festivals, and portfolio development.