Specializations

Animation Specializations

Animation programs are organized in different ways. Some degrees are dedicated to one specialization (an MA in Character Animation), some offer officially named pathways inside a broader degree (a BA in Animation with a Stop-Motion pathway), and some are broader media or design degrees in which animation is a central, verified part of the curriculum. Every program in this directory says which applies to it. The directory covers ten countries; counts below come from what has been verified so far and are not a claim of complete coverage.

Dedicated degree
The degree itself is in this field.
Official pathway
An officially named concentration, pathway or major inside the degree.
Broader degree with animation
A broader degree in which animation is a central, verified component of the official title or curriculum.

General Animation

Practical emphasis

Broad animation education across techniques: drawing, 2D and 3D, stop motion and the production pipeline.

131 programs · Bachelor's 96 · Master's 35

2D Animation

Practical emphasis

Drawn and digital two-dimensional animation: traditional, cut-out and digital 2D production.

49 programs · Bachelor's 40 · Master's 9

3D Animation

Practical emphasis

Computer-generated three-dimensional animation: modelling, rigging, animating, lighting and rendering.

63 programs · Bachelor's 48 · Master's 15

Character Animation

Practical emphasis

Performance and acting through animated characters, in 2D, 3D or both.

17 programs · Bachelor's 11 · Master's 6

Computer Animation

Practical emphasis

Degrees titled computer animation or computer-generated animation, usually with a 3D and technical emphasis.

15 programs · Bachelor's 10 · Master's 5

Stop-Motion Animation

Practical emphasis

Puppet, clay, object and cut-out animation filmed frame by frame.

28 programs · Bachelor's 23 · Master's 5

Animation Filmmaking

Practical emphasis

Directing and authoring animated films: story, direction, production and the graduation film.

9 programs · Bachelor's 2 · Master's 7

Animation and VFX

Practical emphasis

Degrees in which animation and visual effects are taught together. VFX-only programs are not included.

22 programs · Bachelor's 18 · Master's 4

Technical Animation

Practical emphasis

The technical side of animation: rigging, technical direction, procedural tools, simulation and pipeline development.

3 programs · Bachelor's 1 · Master's 2

Animation Studies and Research

Academic emphasis

History, theory and research of animation as an academic and practice-led discipline.

0 programs

Not sure which field fits? 2D vs 3D Animation · Animation vs VFX · Character vs General Animation