Animation is one of the coolest creative career options of the day. It’s also highly promising. The global animation market was estimated to be C$ 469 billion (Rs 2,890,674 crore) in 2021. It’s expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. According to industry estimates, the animation market’s value will exceed C$ 739.31 billion (Rs 4,556,747 crore) by 2030.
Animation colleges in Canada offer a diverse range of courses. Some animation courses in Canada prioritize computer-based, 2D or 3D animation. But there are still plenty that focus on traditional illustration.
Canada is Indian students’ second most preferred overseas education destination overall. The excellent quality of animation studies in Canada makes the country an automatic choice for students interested in the field. If you feel money is an issue, you can consult our experts at FundRight and find the best student loan offer for you.
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In this article, we’ll discuss the following aspects of pursuing animation courses in Canada:
- The best animation colleges in Canada
- The scope and salary of animation career in Canada
- The estimated cost of studying animation in Canada
- The frequently asked questions about undertaking animation courses in Canada
5 Best Animation Colleges in Canada
1. Sheridan College
Ranked as the number 1 animation college in Canada in 2021, Sheridan College, Ontario offers some of the world’s best animation programs. The Drawing for Animators program involves part-time on-campus workshops. These workshops focus on areas such as Character Design, Perspective Design, Storyboarding and Life Drawing.
Sheridan College also has a Virtual Production (VP) program that focuses on Art Direction in Unreal Engine. This program is aimed at teaching the skills required to work on VP projects via weekly workshops and online seminars.
List of animation courses
- Computer Animation Certificate Program. Duration: 1 year
- Bachelor of Applied Arts (Animation). Duration: 4 years
- Post Graduate degree in Game Level Design. Duration: 1 year
- Game Development Advanced Programming course. Duration: 1 year
Sheridan College has been home to the best animation courses in Canada for 50 years. Its post-graduate certification courses in Computer Animation, Digital Creature Animation and Visual Effects are renowned the world over.
Sheridan College graduates have worked on some of the world’s most recognizable animation projects. These include blockbusters from top studios such as Disney, Guru, Nelvana and Pixar.
Here are some of the most famous Sheridan College Alumni:
- Trevor Jimenez, winner of Annie Award for Best Storyboarding in Soul.
- Dean DeBlois, Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature for How to Train Your Dragon 3.
- Domee Shi, Oscar winner for the Best Animated Short Film—Bao.
2. Rubika College
Rubika, Montreal offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Design, 2D & 3D animation, and Video Game development. The college enjoys the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Valenciennes.
Rubika College’s learning facilities have been designed to provide the students with an environment that’s similar to actual professional studios. The curriculum includes multiple periods of internships where the students can test their skills and technical knowledge.
List of animation courses
3-year (Bachelor’s) and 5-year (Master’s) courses in these subjects:
- Product Design
- Transportation Design
- 3D Modeling
- UX Design
- 2D Animation
- 3D Animation
- FX/VFX Special Effects
- Game Art
- Game Design
- Game Programming
- Tech Art
Rubika College also offers multiple diplomas in animation, including Digital Director, Video Game Director and Manager in Design Engineering.
Rubika College pass-outs hold respectable positions in leading animation and video game companies, such as Pixar, Ubisoft and Riot Games.
Here are some of the most famous Rubika Alumni:
- Willy Carteau, Senior Industrial Designer, Google
- Laura Courouble, Associate Producer, Ubisoft
- Julien Clement, Designer, Ducati Motor
3. Seneca College
Seneca College, Ontario offers multiple animation courses with course durations ranging from 8 months to 3 years. The college is affiliated with Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI). It’s Houdini-certified and includes industry standard software such as Maya and Nuke in its curriculum.
Seneca College’s animation programs integrate both traditional and the newest, cutting-edge media. This prepares the students for the diverse challenges inherent to this dynamic industry.
Seneca College’s animation courses are associated with these globally renowned animation bodies:
- Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics (ACM SIGGRAPH)
- Visual Effects Society
- Computer Animation Studios Ontario (CASO)
- Toon Boom Centre of Excellence
List of animation courses
Seneca College has 4 of the best animation courses in Canada:
- Three-year advanced diploma in 3D Animation
- Eight-month graduate certificate course in Animation
- Eight-month graduate certificate course in Game Art & Animation (2 semesters)
- Eight-month course in Visual Effects for Film and Television
Each of these courses teaches the basic animation skills—animation, modelling, 2D/3D integration, texturing etc. Students also learn storyboard drawing and project development skills that are invaluable in the animation industry.
Seneca College’s animation courses equip students with the necessary technical skills and experience to pursue diverse careers. These include television, film, gaming, animation, interior design, industrial design and forensics.
Students can also take a virtual tour and explore the college’s campus, labs and other learning facilities.
4. Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver
Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver is home to the few animation colleges in Canada that are solely dedicated to the study of media, art and design.
The university offers a diverse range in undergraduate and certificate animation programs. Emily Carr’s Bachelor of Media Arts degree offers majors in 2D + Experimental Animation, 3D Computer Animation Film+Screen Arts. Students can also sign up for a part-time certification course in 3D design.
List of 2D animation courses (four-year)
- Storyboarding
- Story & Structure for Animation
- Motion Graphics
- Experimental Animation
- Creative Development for Animation Filmmaking
- Senior Animation Production
List of 3D animation courses (four-year)
- Introduction to 3D Character Animation
- 3D Character Creation
- Digital Compositing
- 3D Layout and Cinematography
- Preproduction for 3D Animation
- Look Development for 3D Computer Animation
- Senior 3D Animation Production
- Lighting + Rendering Projects
Emily Carr alumni are employed at some of the world’s biggest animation and film studios, including DreamWorks Animation, National Film Board, Pixar, and Universal.
5. Vancouver Film School (VFS)
Vancouver Film School is one of the most popular animation colleges in Canada among students interested in film and television. The institute offers one-year immersive courses focused on different aspects of animation.
The unique one-year course model is designed to deliver accelerated learning and real-world production experience. The program is periodically upgraded to encapsulate the industry developments and changing needs.
VFS students go from animation novices to professionals in one year’s time. They can look forward to challenging, well-paying roles in the world’s best studios and companies.
List of animation courses
- 3D Animation & Visual Effects
- Animation Concept Art
- Classical Animation
- Game Design
- VR/AR Design & Development
VFS animation courses are divided into 2-6 month periods all covered within a span of 12 months.
VFS alumni are working in the world’s most sought animation studios and have dozens of accolades to their names. In all, VFS alumni total 118 wins and 516 nominations at the Emmys, Game Awards, Golden Globes, and Oscars. In addition, the institute’s alumni have been credited in all top 10 films of 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pursuing Animation Courses in Canada
Question 1: Can individuals who aren’t good at drawing take animation courses in Canada?
Ans: Animation is an ideal choice for individuals who have an innate artistic flair. Individuals who are good at drawing, and understanding movement and dimensions are an automatic fit. But these skills aren’t a necessity for undertaking animation courses in Canada.
Individuals that can’t draw can become just as good 3D animators as those who’re great at drawing. All who want a cool, high-paying job can enroll in animation colleges in Canada and build successful careers.
Question 2: What skills will I learn from animation courses in Canada?
Ans: An education from one of the top animation colleges in Canada will teach you the following skills:
- Understanding of 2D and 3D animation theories and histories
- Visual effects
- Modeling
- Texturing
- Character rigging
- Pre and post-production
Question 3: What is the cost of animation courses in Canada?
Ans: The costs of completing animation courses in Canada vary according to the type and duration of the course. The average annual tuition fee for diploma courses and undergraduate degree courses is C$ 10,000-20,000 (Rs 6,16,198.36-12,32,396.72). Students should expect to pay C$ 20,000-30,000 (Rs 12,32,396.72-18,48,595.07) for masters in animation courses in Canada.
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Question 4: Which industries can I find work in after studying animation in Canada?
Ans: Students who’ve completed animation courses in Canada can find lucrative jobs in virtually every industry that requires art and design. This includes the film, gaming, and advertising sectors.
Animation courses in Canada (diploma or degree) prepare you for well-paying jobs in these roles:
- 2D/3D animators
- Concept artists
- Game developers
- Graphic designers
- Illustrators
- Web designers
- VFX artists
Question 5: What is the expected salary of students who’ve studied in Animation colleges in Canada?
Ans: Students graduating from animation colleges in Canada can draw an average base salary of C$52,297 (Rs 3,222,532.55) per year. The actual salary can vary significantly with the individual’s experience, skill level, and the industry he/she’s working in.
There you have it—all the nitty-gritty of undertaking animation courses in Canada. You’re now ready to move on to the next stage of acquiring an overseas education. Start your search for the perfect course, find the best study loan offer, and prepare your college application.
