Courses / Programs
Courses/Programs
Get the skills you need for a successful career in the animation industry. Whether you’re starting your journey or looking to specialise, our programmes give you the skills, confidence, and portfolio to thrive in the global animation space.
Discover the School
Discover the School
Whether you thrive in the vibrant energy of a city campus or prefer the flexibility of online learning, The Animation School provides a range of options to suit your needs. Explore our world-class campuses in Cape Town and Johannesburg, or study from anywhere through our online option.
Admission
Admission
Take the first step towards your career in animation with our complete guide to applying for the Diploma in Digital Animation and short courses.
About us
About us
With a singular focus on animation, we offer a range of programmes shaped by the latest industry standards and delivered by passionate educators committed to helping students succeed.
Why study at The Animation School?
Ranked among the top 11 animation schools worldwide in 2025, we offer a practical, industry-driven curriculum that makes our graduates highly sought-after.
Our students consistently win top awards both locally and internationally
With an 80-90% employment rate, many of our graduates work for leading animation studios worldwide
How to apply?
Follow these steps to ensure your application is complete and meets our requirements.
Step one
Prepare your portfolio
All applicants are required to present a portfolio of artwork. Your portfolio must include:
One six-panel comic strip showing how to apply to The Animation School (download the template).
Six to twelve additional original artworks you’ve personally created in the past three years.
You can include pieces created in any medium: illustrations, paintings, graphic design, sculptures, digital artworks, animations, or any other medium you feel showcases your creative skills.
Your portfolio will be assessed against the following criteria:
• Overall impression
• Proportions
• Technique
• Shading
• Storytelling (comic strip)
No traced, copied, or AI-generated work will be accepted.
Step two
Compile your portfolio
Scan or photograph your artworks (including the comic strip) and compile your portfolio into a single PDF document.
You may include links to any short films or animations you’ve created, but this is not a requirement.
Step three
Write a Letter of Motivation
Write a one-page (A4) motivation letter telling us why you want to study at The Animation School.
Step four
Complete the Application Form
Once you have compiled your portfolio, click any ‘Apply Now’ button on this page and complete the online application form. You can save and continue later if you need to. Check to make sure you’ve completed all the fields in the application form. Then, upload the following:
Your letter of motivation
Your portfolio PDF (including the comic strip)
Your national senior certificate, academic transcript, or equivalent international qualification
Step five
Attend the Interview
You will be notified via email whether you have been accepted or not within two weeks of submitting your application.
If your application is accepted, you’ll be invited to an online interview using Microsoft Teams. A successful interview means you can officially register and pay your deposit to secure your spot.
Testimonials
"Studying at The Animation School was a really cool experience.
The academic staff provided us with a lot of breathing room to do our own thing, yet always made sure that the fundamentals were being drilled in. I learned a lot and I had a blast doing it."
"The networking events such as the Animation Exchange and Industry Day,
have proven integral in my career as they have delivered a host of opportunities. I owe my knowledge and confidence as an artist to the support received from the industry professionals who lecture at the college."
"I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 years at The Animation School.
It was some of my best years. I learned a lot as an artist and person, and I am grateful for the opportunityI had at The Animation School."
"Studying at The Animation School was a really cool experience.
The academic staff provided us with a lot of breathing room to do our own thing, yet always made sure that the fundamentals were being drilled in. I learned a lot and I had a blast doing it."
"The networking events such as the Animation Exchange and Industry Day,
have proven integral in my career as they have delivered a host of opportunities. I owe my knowledge and confidence as an artist to the support received from the industry professionals who lecture at the college."
"I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 years at The Animation School.
It was some of my best years. I learned a lot as an artist and person, and I am grateful for the opportunityI had at The Animation School."
Join our interactive two-hour Diploma in Digital Animation presentation
