Top Animation Schools in South Africa: Your Guide to a Creative Career in 2025

Animation, Education / July 19, 2025 / Melly Brown

South Africa’s animation industry is a rapidly growing sector, gaining international recognition for its unique storytelling and vibrant talent. For aspiring animators and digital artists looking to make their mark, choosing the right educational institution is a crucial first step. Whether you’re aiming for a career in 2D animation, 3D animation, visual effects (VFX), game development, or motion graphics, South Africa offers a range of top-tier animation schools and specialized courses.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to the best animation schools in South Africa for 2025, covering major cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria, to help you kick-start your creative journey.

You may also need to check: Top Animation Courses in Pretoria: Master 3D Animation

Why Study Animation in South Africa?

The South African animation industry is experiencing a significant boom. With increasing demand for local content, international co-production opportunities, and the rise of streaming platforms, there’s a growing need for skilled professionals. Studying in South Africa offers:

• Growing Industry: A thriving animation sector with increasing job opportunities in film, television, gaming, and advertising.
• Unique Storytelling: A focus on authentic African narratives and diverse perspectives.
• World-Class Education: Several institutions are globally recognized for their animation programs.
• Affordability: Compared to international counterparts, South African animation education can be more cost-effective.

Top Animation Schools and Colleges in South Africa (2025)

Here’s our curated list of leading institutions offering excellent animation courses and diplomas across South Africa:

1. The Animation School (TAS)

• Campuses: Cape Town, Johannesburg
• Key Programs: 3-year full-time Diploma in Digital Animation, various intensive animation short courses (e.g., Introduction to 3D Animation, Digital Drawing).
• Why it’s top-ranked: The Animation School is consistently ranked among the top animation training programs globally by prestigious reviews like Animation Career Review and The Rookies. Established in 2000, TAS focuses on practical, industry-relevant skills, leading to graduates securing positions with leading studios worldwide, including those working on major box office hits and award-winning productions. Their curriculum balances technical skills with creative development, ensuring students are job-ready upon graduation.
• Accreditation: Check their website for specific accreditation details.

2. CityVarsity

• Campuses: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban
• Key Programs: Various creative arts programs, including animation, multimedia design, and visual effects. Specific animation offerings often include diplomas and higher certificates.
• Why it’s notable: CityVarsity is a well-established institution in South Africa with a strong reputation for nurturing creative talent. They focus on providing students with practical, industry-relevant skills across various creative fields, making them a significant player in animation education. They aim to equip students with a broad skill set applicable to the media and entertainment industry.
• Accreditation: Registered as a private higher education institution with the Department of Higher Education and Training.

3. Learn3D Animation School

• Campus: Johannesburg
• Key Programs: Full-time and part-time programs in 3D animation, visual effects, and game development.
• Why it’s notable: Learn 3D is a specialized training center recognized by industry leaders such as Toonboom, Autodesk, and Chaos Group. This indicates a strong alignment with current industry software and practices. Their focus on practical skills aims to prepare students directly for the dynamic media and entertainment sector. It’s a great option for those seeking focused training in 3D animation software and pipelines.
• Accreditation: Check their website for specific accreditation details from relevant SETAs or higher education bodies.

4. Oakfields College

• Campuses: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Somerset West, East London
• Key Programs: 3D Animation (Diploma and Certificate), Motion Graphics, Game Design.
• Why it’s notable: Oakfields College is a prominent creative arts college known for its practical, hands-on approach to education. Their 3D animation courses are designed to provide comprehensive training from illustration to final 3D production, making graduates highly marketable. They pride themselves on small class sizes and lecturers who are industry professionals, ensuring personalized attention and real-world insights.
• Accreditation: Proudly registered as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997. Their registration is valid until 31 December 2025, with Registration Certificate No. 2015/HE07/001.

5. Open Window Institute

• Campus: Centurion (near Pretoria)
• Key Programs: Bachelor of Film Arts Degree with major subjects like 3D Animation, Game Design, and Motion Design.
• Why it’s notable: Open Window offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Film Arts degree, emphasizing storytelling at the core of its animation and digital media disciplines. Their School of Animation Arts provides hands-on education with accomplished faculty, covering a wide range of skills from 2D and 3D animation to VFX. They focus on developing both digital skills and traditional art foundations.
• Accreditation: Offers fully accredited degrees (e.g., Bachelor of Film Arts, SAQA ID: 94949, NQF Level 7).

6. SAE Institute

• Campuses: Cape Town, Johannesburg
• Key Programs: Bachelor of Arts in Motion Design and Animation, Higher Certificates, and various short courses.
• Why it’s notable: SAE Institute is an internationally recognised creative media education provider. Their Bachelor of Arts in Motion Design and Animation covers all predominant aspects of animation, from digital 3D and 2D animation to motion graphics, VFX, and stop-motion. They focus on both digital skills and traditional art skills (drawing, painting, sculpture) to support original thinking and creative problem-solving.
• Accreditation: Offers accredited qualifications (e.g., SAQA ID: 94949, NQF Level 7).

7. Triggerfish Academy (Online)

• Format: Online courses
• Key Programs: Various short courses in character design, storyboarding, animation production, and more.
• Why it’s notable: While not a degree-granting institution, Triggerfish Animation Studios is Africa’s leading animation studio, responsible for globally acclaimed films like Zambezia and Khumba. Their academy offers invaluable training and insights directly from industry professionals. Many courses are free, making it an excellent resource for aspiring animators to gain foundational skills and industry knowledge from the best in the business. This is a highly recommended supplementary resource. You can explore their offerings at the Triggerfish Academy website.

Choosing the Right Animation School for You

When selecting an animation school in South Africa, consider the following factors:

• Accreditation: Ensure the institution and its programs are properly accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
• Curriculum: Look for programs that cover a wide range of animation techniques (2D, 3D, stop-motion), industry-standard software (Maya, ZBrush, Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom Harmony), storytelling, character design, rigging, texturing, lighting, and rendering.
• Faculty: Are the lecturers industry professionals with real-world experience?
• Portfolio Development: A strong portfolio is crucial for securing a job. Does the school emphasize and assist with portfolio creation?
• Facilities: Access to high-spec computers, motion capture studios, and rendering farms can be a significant advantage.
• Industry Connections: Does the school have partnerships with local or international animation studios for internships or job placements?
• Location: Consider campuses in cities known for their creative industries, such as Cape Town animation schools or Johannesburg animation colleges.
• Cost and Funding: Evaluate tuition fees and explore available bursaries or student loan options.

Career Opportunities in South African Animation

Graduates from these top animation schools can pursue exciting careers in various sectors, including:

• Feature Film & Television Production: Working on animated movies, series, and commercials.
• Game Development: Creating characters, environments, and animations for video games.
• Advertising & Marketing: Producing animated explainer videos, social media content, and commercials.
• Architectural Visualization: Creating 3D walkthroughs and renderings of buildings.
• Medical & Scientific Visualization: Animating complex biological or scientific processes.
• E-learning: Developing engaging animated content for educational purposes.

Conclusion: Nurturing Creative Talent for a Global Industry

South Africa’s animation schools offer diverse and high-quality educational opportunities for aspiring animators and digital artists. From comprehensive full-time diplomas to specialized short courses, these institutions are instrumental in developing the skills needed to thrive in a competitive global industry. By choosing one of these top animation schools in South Africa, you’ll be well-positioned to nurture your creative talents and embark on an exciting and rewarding career in animation.

We aim to keep this list updated. If you know of any other exceptional animation school or course we might have missed, please feel free to reach out to us!

Melly Brown