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 courses run by private training providers
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree. The most useful courses include practical skills and work placements. Relevant courses include:
- animation
- art and design
- computer games development
- animation production
- visual effects
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 that will teach you some of the skills you'll need to get started as a junior animator. Courses include:
- Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Digital Media
- Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills
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
The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:
- 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:
- digital painter
- inbetweener
- assistant animator
- animator
Volunteering
You may find it useful to do some related voluntary or paid work. You can contact broadcasting companies, advertising agencies, animation studios or computer games companies to find out about work experience opportunities.
Other Routes
You could take short courses in animation skills and software packages run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
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Career tips
You'll need a showreel and portfolio to highlight your best animation work and ideas. Make your work easy to find, either on your own website or blog, or on a video-sharing website.
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.