How to become an animator
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist training courses
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or a degree in:
- animation
- art and design
- computer games development
- animation production
- visual effects
It might be useful to choose a course which includes practical skills and offers a work placement.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need to become an animator. Courses include:
- Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Digital Media
- Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills
- Level 3 Diploma in Creative Art and Design
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You might be able to become an animator by doing an apprenticeship.
You could do a higher apprenticeship such as:
- Level 4 Junior animator
- Level 4 Junior 2D artist (visual effects)
- Level 4 Junior VFX artist (generalist)
- Level 7 Storyboard artist
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Work
You could start as an animation runner and work your way up to a digital painter, assistant animator or animator.
Volunteering
Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can. To find work experience or volunteering opportunities, you could contact:
- broadcasting companies
- advertising agencies
- animation studios
- computer games companies
You can also find out more about the different ways to get work experience.
Other Routes
You could take a short training course in animation or animation software to get some practical animation skills.
These courses are usually offered by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
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Career tips
You'll need to create a showreel and animation portfolio to highlight your best work and ideas.
Put your work on your own blog, website or video-sharing website to make it easy to find.
Further information
You can get advice about working as an animator from into games and ScreenSkills.
You can also find out more about working in the creative industries from Discover Creative Careers.