Edinburgh College of Art’s (ECA) Animation programme is Scotland’s oldest established degree-level programme in the subject area. Studying animation at ECA gives you the opportunity to experience a wide range of animation methods, technologies, and theories.  

Our students’ distinct voices and visual styles are at the centre of our teaching. We work with you to help you figure out who you are as an animator and what your films will look like. There is no template you must fit!  

We are one of the first UK animation programmes to become partners in the Aardman Academy, helping to ensure the industry relevance of our students and our curriculum.

Our partnership with Scotland Loves Anime has allowed us to host the annual Education in Animation Day where our students have met directors, producers, and animators from some of the largest and busiest Japanese and Chinese studios, occasionally enabling their first appearances in the UK. 

If you find beauty in small things, love telling stories, and are fixated upon movement then we think you will enjoy your time here. 

Our graduates have gone on to work with directors such as Wes Anderson and Tim Burton. They work at animation studios such as: 

• Aardman
• Laika
• Cartoon Saloon
• Nexus Productions
• Red Kite Studios  

Some graduates have set up their own animation studios, including: 

• Wild Child
• Ko-Lik
• White Robot 

Other graduates have gone on to work at games companies such as Rockstar North and Media Molecule. 

Currently, there is a shortage within the film and animation sectors of skills in storyboarding, pre-visualisation, production and project management, all of which comprise a part of your studies in Animation at ECA. 

Beyond those sectors, animators are in high demand in the video games industry, and among emergent virtual and augmented reality businesses. 

There are some unexpected areas of opportunity as well. Insurance companies and police forces use animators to forensically reconstruct accident or crime scenes. Architectural and interior design companies extensively use animators to create pre-visualisations of their projects for clients. 

Awards

Our students have gone on to win, among many others, awards at:

• the BAFTAs
• Emmys
• British Animation Awards
• Edinburgh International Film Festival
• Adobe Design Achievement Awards
• Royal Television Society

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

• access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
• try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
• get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
• attend careers events and practice interviews
• get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

• a masters degree
• a postgraduate diploma or certificate
• a PhD
• a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study 

Postgraduate degrees you might be interested in could include:

• Design (PhD, MPhil)

If you'd like to study on an undergraduate programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through UCAS. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh website, where you'll also be able to: 

• See the structure of the programme and what you will study each year
• See detailed entrance requirements and portfolio guidance for each programme on the Degree Finder
• Get information on what to expect after you apply
• Find out about fees
• Find out where to go for further advice and guidance.