Animation courses
Animators usually get their start through a degree, and employers look at your showreel as much as your qualification. The courses here cover different ground and take different lengths, so here's how to choose between them.
- Quickest way to start
- 2 years
- Bachelor degree, typical full time length
- What the jobs pay
- $96,200
- median pay across 1 job
Which course do you need?
None of these jobs needs a set qualification, but these courses teach what employers look for.
A bachelor degree in animation
Train in animation and visual effects
Animators create moving images for film, television, games and advertising, drawing or building characters and scenes frame by frame.
A job it helps withAnimator
Median pay$96,200
Helps, not required. Employers hire on skills and experience as well as study.
- How long it takes
- 2 to 3 years full time
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
The animation degrees compared
Both degrees build a portfolio of your own finished work. The main difference is whether visual effects are part of the course, along with how long each one takes. Some can be studied online at one or more universities.
- Bachelor of AnimationTakes an animated piece from first concept to finished project, covering animation techniques, digital tools and visual storytelling. It points towards animation, games and screen production.How long2 to 3 yearsMain focusAnimation
- Bachelor of Animation and Visual EffectsCovers animation and visual effects side by side, working in two and three dimensions mostly through practical projects. It comes in an accelerated form at some providers.How long2 to 3 yearsMain focusAnimation and visual effects
Other university courses
- Bachelor of 2D Animation2 to 3 years. Focuses on hand drawn and digital two dimensional animation, covering drawing, storyboarding, character movement and visual storytelling.
- Bachelor of Creative Arts (Animation)2 to 3 years. Covers how animated films, visual effects and games are made, starting with drawing, movement and storytelling before moving into specialised techniques and software.
- Bachelor of Visual Effects3 years. For students who want to make effects for film, television and games, mixing technical skills with the theory of how images work on screen.
- Diploma of 2D Animation8 years. A shorter, project based course in hand drawn and digital animation that can suit someone after entry level work or further study.
Jobs this study can help with
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.