Animation - courses, degrees and events

Why should I get into animation?

The UK has some of the best animation studios in the world, some of which are our industry partners, including Blue Zoo, MPC and Passion Pictures, who compete globally to produce some of the finest character and creature animations in the world. There are a variety of departments in the animation industry, including storyboarding, previsualisation, 3D animation, 2D animation, and more. 

Choose to bring your characters to life with our animation courses. You'll study using professional software, such as Autodesk Maya, ToonBoom Harmony, Adobe Animate and Blender, with industry-focused training, giving you the skills you need to produce a killer showreel.

The difference between 2D and 3D Animation

For many years, the animation we watched in films and television programmes were produced by 2D Animators, classics such as The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Spirited Away, Mickey Mouse and Bambi were all drawn entirely by hand! 

With the rise of increasingly advanced technology and software, 3D Animation took centre stage in the creative industries. Animators enjoyed its efficiency and the realism the third dimension brought, producing creative master pieces such as The Incredibles, Shrek, Toy Story and Monsters Inc..

However, in recent years, 2D Animation has experienced a significant revival, both in the UK and overseas, with studios such as Blue Zoo, Aardman Animation, and Brown Bag Films all adopting new 2D software such as ToonBoom Harmony. Some recent 2D productions include Spirit Untamed, Klaus, Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle, The Boys Presents: Diabolical and The Legend of Vox Machina.

We have the best tutors to train you in this re-emerging area of the industry. Iliana Franklin was appointed as a Toon Boom Ambassador for 2022, and our Head of Animation, Alex Williams, animated Scar in the original Lion King film! Check out Alex's animation blog to find out more about the world of 2D.