Animation is a creative profession in which professionals transform a sequence of images or frames into a creative visual experience. Animation courses teach students the essential skills, techniques, and software tools used in animation and help to awaken the creative spirit of aspirants. Animation courses offer a wide range of opportunities and are suitable for students aspiring for a creative career.
Popular animation courses are BSc Animation, BA Animation, Bachelor of Visual Arts in Animation, and other specializations such as graphic design, media, and VFX. Animation courses can be pursued at different levels of education such as diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate from top universities such as IITs, JMI, LPU, etc. Apart from that, various Animation Certificate Courses and Free Online Animation Courses are offered by various online portals such as Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, edX, etc.
The average Animator's Salary is INR 3 to 5 LPA in India. Some of the top job roles in the field of animation include Animator, Art Director, Character Animator, Special Effect Artist, and Production Designer. Animation courses open a wide range of opportunities in the fields of Media and Television, Gaming, the Entertainment Industry, Architecture, Scientific Visualization, etc.
Table of Contents
1.1 What are Animation Courses?
1.2 Why Pursue Animation Courses?
2.1 Top Government Animation Colleges
2.2 Top Private Animation Colleges
3.1 Top Undergraduate Courses in Animation
3.2 Top Postgraduate Courses in Animation
3.3 Top Diploma Courses in Animation
3.4 Top Certificate Courses in Animation
- Top Online Courses in Animation
- Animation Courses Eligibility Criteria
- Animation Courses Syllabus
- Animation Career Scope
Animation Courses: Highlights
Students can find key animation course details in the table below.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Level | UG, PG, Diploma, Online & Certificate |
| Course Duration | 3 months - 4 years |
| Entrance Exams | NID Entrance Exam, NIFT Entrance Exam, LPUNEST, SEED, etc. |
| Course Fee | Online - INR 500 - 15,000 UG/PG degree - INR 1,00,000 - 6,00,000 Diploma & Certification - INR 50,000 - 3,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3 - 5 LPA |
| Job Profiles | Animator, Art Director, Character Animator, Graphic Designer, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Acer, Google, Accenture, Maya Entertainment, Disney Entertainment, UTV Toonz, Netflix Animation, Blue Sky Studios, etc. |
| Top Colleges | Amity University, Lovely Professional University, Loyola College, IIT Mumbai, JMI, etc. |
What are Animation Courses?
Animation courses are educational programs that teach and train students in various aspects of animation. Animation basics, storyboarding, character animation, design principles, and 2D and 3D animation are some of the key topics covered in Animation courses.
- Aspirants can pursue animation courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma levels. There are short-term certificates and online animation courses as well.
- Numerous online platforms offer animation courses for beginners as well as advanced professionals. Online animation courses can be pursued at your own pace and convenience.
- Students who wish to master a single tool or animation technique can pursue specialized animation courses such as storyboarding courses, character animation courses, VFX and CGI courses, game design and development courses, etc.
Why Pursue Animation Courses?
Animation is one of the most lucrative careers and comes with a lot of benefits. Aspirants who are passionate about visual storytelling, and character creation, and like to enhance their creative skills can pursue animation courses.
- Junior animators or trainees can expect to earn somewhere between INR 1,50,000 - 3,00,000 per annum. With three to five years of experience, they can earn INR 3,00,000 - 5,00,000 per annum, whereas a talented animator with a solid portfolio of great animation might easily make INR 8,00,000 - 12,00,000 per annum.
- The global animation industry is huge and as an animation artist, you have great opportunities both in India and abroad. There are multiple career opportunities for animation artists including the entertainment industry, gaming industry, advertising and marketing, education and training, etc.
- Aspirants can opt for full-time, part-time, and freelance positions at their convenience.
- Pursuing an animation course and then pursuing animation as a career will help you expand your reach and educate a larger audience in one fell swoop.
Top Animation Colleges in India
Many colleges offer various specialization courses in the field of Animation. There are both private and government animation colleges in India. Students can opt for their desired college depending on the course, level of course, course fee, location, and personal interest.
Top Government Animation Colleges
Some of the top government animation colleges with their respective fees are listed below.
| College Name | Fees |
|---|---|
| IIT Bombay, Mumbai | INR 1,03,200 |
| JMI, New Delhi | INR 1,66,740 |
| St Joseph's University, Bangalore | INR 2,11,710 |
| Gujarat University, Ahmedabad | INR 2,30,000 |
| Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata | INR 4,500 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | INR 29,600 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad | INR 2,20,000 |
| Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra | INR 1,21,800 |
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad | INR 45,000 |
| J.C. Bose University Of Science And Technology, YMCA, Faridabad | INR 3,57,495 |
Top Private Animation Colleges
Some of the top private animation colleges with their respective fees are listed below.
| College Name | Fees |
|---|---|
| Amity University, Noida | INR 2,50,000 |
| LPU Jalandhar | INR 2,40,000 |
| Chandigarh University, Chandigarh | INR 4,92,000 |
| Loyola College, Chennai | INR 1,61,760 |
| Fergusson College, Pune | INR 1,45,000 |
| Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore | INR 2,93,000 |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai | INR 1,50,000 |
| MIT Art, Design, and Technology University, Pune | INR 18,79,500 |
| Chitkara University, Patiala | INR 7,20,000 |
| AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, New Delhi | INR 1,60,840 |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal | INR 7,45,000 |
Read More:
Types of Animation Courses
There are various degree programs in the field of animation. There are certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses in animation. Students can opt for their desired course based on their learning interests.
Top Undergraduate Courses in Animation
The undergraduate animation courses are offered through various colleges and universities. The duration of these courses is 3 years. Some of the best undergraduate courses in animation are listed below with their respective fee.
| College Name | Course Name | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Amity University, Noida | BFA in Visual Communication | INR 3,90,000 |
| Lovely Professional University | BSc in Multimedia BSc in Graphics BSc in Gaming BDes in Multimedia BDes in Graphics BDes in Gaming |
INR 2,40,000 |
| Chandigarh University | BSc in Animation, VFX, and Gaming | INR 4,92,000 |
| Loyola College, Chennai | Bachelor in Animation and Multimedia | INR 1,61,760 |
| Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore | BSc in Animation and Multimedia | INR 2,93,000 |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical And Technical Sciences, Chennai | BSc in Animation and Graphic Design | INR 1,50,000 |
| MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune | BDes in Animation | INR 18,79,500 |
| St Joseph's University, Bangalore | BVoc in Digital Media and Animation | INR 2,11,710 |
| Amity University, Gurgaon | BSc in Animation and Visual Effects | INR 2,76,000 |
| Sacred Heart College, Ernakulam | BA in Animation and Graphic Design | INR 2,75,000 |
| NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata | BSc in Multimedia and Animation | INR 4,37,500 |
Check:
Top Postgraduate Courses in Animation
Postgraduate courses in animation provide a comprehensive knowledge of animation and cover all the advanced tools and techniques used. The post graduation courses in animation generally last within 2 years. Some of the most popular postgraduate programs in animation are listed below with their respective fees.
| College Name | Course Name | Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | MDes in Animation | INR 1,03,200 |
| JMI, New Delhi | MA in Visual Effects and Animation | INR 1,66,740 |
| LPU Jalandhar | MSc (Design - Multimedia) | INR 2,40,000 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | MA in Animation | INR 29,600 |
| Apeejay Stya University, Gurgaon | MA in Animation and Multimedia | INR 5,20,000 |
| Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur | MA in Animation and Computer Graphics | INR 1,45,000 |
| University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun | MA in Advertising and Digital Media | INR 4,66,000 |
| Bhagwant University, Ajmer | MSc in Animation | INR 21,000 |
| Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune | MSc in Animation and VFX | INR 1,70,000 |
| Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Kochi | MFA in Animation and Content Management | INR 2,30,000 |
| Apeejay Institute of Design, New Delhi | MA in Animation and Multimedia | INR 4,75,000 |
Top Diploma Courses in Animation
Many of the colleges and institutes offer Diploma courses in animation. The duration of these courses is between 6 months - 3 years. Diploma courses in animation provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of animation, emphasizing practical skills and preparing students for entry-level positions in the field. The below table lists the best Diploma courses in animation with their respective fees.
| College Name | Course Name | Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata | Diploma in Multimedia and Animation | INR 4,500 |
| St. Xavier's College, Kolkata | Diploma in Multimedia and Animation | INR 38,000 |
| SPC Education Center, Jaipur | Diploma in Multimedia and Animation | INR 4,000 |
| SunRise University, Alwar | Diploma in Multimedia and Animation | INR 63,500 |
| St. Mary's Technical Campus, Kolkata | Diploma in Web Design | INR 30,000 |
| K. C. College of Management Studies, Mumbai | Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects | INR 90,000 |
| JP Institute of Engineering and Technology, Meerut | Diploma in Animation | INR 50,000 |
| G. H. Raisoni University, Amravati | Diploma in Studio Management | INR 52,000 |
| St.Mary's Integrated Campus, Hyderabad | Diploma in Web Designing | INR 14,900 |
| Guru Nanak National College, Doraha | Advanced Diploma in Animation | INR 2,160 |
Top Certificate Courses in Animation
Certificate courses in animation are offered by various top universities and institutes. These courses last between a few weeks to a few months. After completing these courses, you will receive a certificate. You can add these animation certificates to your resume or LinkedIn profile to enhance your career opportunities. Some of the best certificate courses in animation are listed below.
| College Name | Fee |
|---|---|
| Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur | INR 25,000 |
| University of Technology, Jaipur | NA |
| Bhabha University, Bhopal | INR 12,000 |
| Dr. C.V. Raman University, Khandwa | INR 3,600 |
| RK Films and Media Academy, New Delhi | INR 20,000 |
| Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, Nashik | INR 1,91,160 |
| Institute of Mass Communication Film And Television Studies, Kolkata | INR 20,000 |
| Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad | INR 5,700 |
| Kakatiya University, School Of Distance Learning And Continuing Education, Warangal | INR 3,500 |
| Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi | INR 6,700 |
| VR Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, Ahmedabad | INR 30,000 |
| MAAC Dharampeth, Nagpur | INR 2,54,880 |
Top Online Courses in Animation
Online animation courses are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to learn about the field of animation. Udemy, Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning are some of the online platforms that offer animation courses. There are free as well as paid online animation courses. Online animation courses can be pursued at your own pace and convenience. Check out the table below for the best online animation courses.
| Course | Platform | Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Computer Graphics | Coursera | INR 3,878 (1 Month) |
| INR 7,757 (3 Months) | ||
| INR 11,636 (6 Months) | ||
| After Effects Motion Graphics Beast | Udemy | INR 2,000 - 4,000 (students can get up to 90% off) |
| Game Design | Coursera | INR 3,878 (1 Month) |
| INR 7,757 (3 Months) | ||
| INR 11,636 (6 Months) | ||
| Professional Pixel Art and Animation for Games | Udemy | INR 2,000 - 4,000 (students can get up to 90% off) |
| AutoCAD Essential Training | LinkedIn Learning | INR 1,567/month |
| Adobe Animate | LinkedIn Learning | INR 1,567/month |
| Digital Design | edX | Free |
| Filmmaking and Animation Online and in Classroom | FutureLearn | INR 770/month |
| Angular Styling and Animation | Udemy | INR 2,000 - 4,000 (students can get up to 90% off) |
| Introduction to VR programming, Design and Unity | FutureLearn | INR 770/month |
Animation Courses Eligibility Criteria
There are UG, PG, Diploma, and Certificate animation courses for aspirants who wish to build a career in the field of animation. There are some prerequisites for each level of course to get admitted. The eligibility criteria vary with college, course level, learning mode, etc. However, the general eligibility criteria that must be met are as follows.
UG Animation Courses
- To opt for an undergraduate animation course, aspirants should have completed the 12th or equivalent exam in any stream (Science, Arts, or Commerce) to apply for the Animation course.
- Candidates must get a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their 12th final year examination.
- Some institutions may conduct entrance exams or aptitude tests to assess the candidate's artistic skills, creativity, and aptitude for animation.
- Entrance exams for UG animation courses vary among colleges and universities. Some of the popular entrance exams include the NID entrance exam, NIFT entrance exam, and BFA entrance exams.
PG Animation Courses
- Applicants typically need to have completed a bachelor's degree in animation or a related field from a recognized institution to opt for a PG animation course.
- Institutions often require a minimum percentage or grade point average (GPA) of 50-60% in the undergraduate degree.
- Some institutions conduct entrance exams, aptitude tests, or interviews to assess the candidate's skills, creativity, and aptitude for the program.
- Some popular entrance exams for PG animation courses include SEED, MGU CAT, VEE, JMI entrance exam, etc.
Diploma Animation Courses
- Candidates should have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board or institute.
- Candidates must get a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their 12th final-year examination to opt for a Diploma in Animation course.
Certificate Animation Courses
- There are no specific prerequisites that need to be fulfilled to opt for a certificate course in animation. However, some colleges admit students who have completed their 12th year from a recognized board.
- Candidates who are interested in learning a particular animation technique or tool can opt for that respective course through online learning platforms or offline institutes.
- The certificate courses in animation can be taken individually or together with another degree program.
Animation Courses Syllabus
The curriculum of animation courses varies depending on the degree program, college, and level of the course. Candidates can get a brief overview of the core topics covered in all levels of animation courses in the following table.
| Animation Principles | Storyboarding |
| Character Design | Animation Software and Tools |
| 2D and 3D Animation Techniques | Motion Graphics |
| Visual Effects | Sound Design and Editing |
| Concept Visualization | Color Theory |
| Sketching and Landscaping | Layout and Perspective |
| Industry Practices and Professional Development | Portfolio Development |
Also Check:
Animation Career Scope
The future of the Animation career is very promising and career opportunities are increasing each day. Individuals can work in full-time, part-time, as well as freelance positions, and there are various job profiles available in the animation industry. Animation can be a very profitable career with skill advancement and work experience.
Top Job Profiles in Animation
In India, animation is a popular career choice that can lead to a variety of opportunities in various sectors. Some of the popular animator professions, along with their description and compensation, are listed below for students pursuing animation courses.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Animator | An animator is in charge of creating moving visuals that convey a message using a variety of approaches. They collaborate with project teams to set various objectives. | INR 4-6 LPA |
| Art Director | An art director develops graphic content for various companies' websites. The art director also keeps in touch with the senior management team to keep them updated on the status of their projects. | INR 6-8 LPA |
| Film and Video Editor | Animation students may also work as film and video editors. Their task is to edit the films and videos following the director's specifications. | INR 6-10 LPA |
| 3D Modeler | A 3D Modeler uses a range of animation tools to bring models to life. This profession has a lot of promise in the engineering and advertising industries. | INR 5-7 LPA |
| Motion Graphics Designer | Motion Graphic Designers create animated graphics in various fields such as advertising, media, and commercials. | INR 3-5 LPA |
| Storyboard Artist | Storyboard Artists help in pre-visualizing the whole concept into a sequence of characters, designs, and actions. They play a crucial role in many visual animation projects. | INR 3-6 LPA |
| Character Designer | Character Designers design the complete character by creating the character’s unique personality, appearance, and actions. | INR 3-5 LPA |
Top Recruiters in Animation
Animation is a creative profession and there are ample opportunities in every field including Gaming, Advertising and Marketing, E-learning Platforms, Forensic and Legal Animation, Web and Multimedia Development, the Entertainment Industry, etc. Some of the top recruiters in the field of animation are tabulated below.
| Acer | Reliance Media Works | |
| Amazon Global Vision | Pent Media Graphics | Crest Animation Studios |
| Accenture | Maya Entertainment | Anibrain |
| Adobe Systems Pvt.Ltd | UTV Toonz | MAKUTA |
| Blue Sky Studios | Netflix Animation | Nickelodeon Animation Studio |
| Cartoon Network Studios | Industrial Light & Magic | Sony Pictures Animation |
Animation Courses: FAQs
Ques. What are the best animation courses?
Ans. There are many animation courses available both online and offline, students can choose the best animation course by their skill levels and area of specialization. However, some of the best animation courses include BSc Animation, BA Animation, and animation courses specializing in graphic design, motion graphics, and VFX.
Ques. What is the best degree for animation?
Ans. The popular degree courses that can provide you with sufficient knowledge of animation are BSc Animation, BA Animation, MDes Animation, and MSc Animation.
Ques. Can I join animation after the 12th?
Ans. Yes, after completing 12th, you can pursue animation courses at different levels such as certificate, undergraduate, or diploma programs.
Ques. Is there a future in animation?
Ans. The future of the animation industry is very promising as career opportunities in the animation industry are increasing every day. Popular industries that offer a plethora of job opportunities include the entertainment industry, augmented and virtual reality, advertising and marketing, education and training, etc.
Ques. Is animation a successful career?
Ans. Animation is indeed a successful career path as it offers diverse opportunities, artistic innovation, flexible work hours, and good pay. With dedication, ongoing training, and networking, animators can create a fruitful career in the animation industry.
Ques. Is animation a stressful job?
Ans. Animation is not a stressful profession. However, some of the circumstances like working under certain conditions, deadlines, and pressure from the higher authorities can make the job a little stressful.
Ques. What is the average salary of an entry-level Animator?
Ans. The average salary of an entry-level Animator in India ranges between INR 1,80,000 - 3,30,000 per annum.
Ques. Will AI replace Animators?
Ans. No, AI cannot replace Animators. However, AI can assist animators in several ways such as by automating the production process, rendering, motion capture, etc.
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