University in South Africa
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
University profile
The Animation School is a private, single-focus institution for animation education in South Africa, with campuses in Woodstock (Cape Town) and Craighall Park/Randburg (Johannesburg) and an online option. It states that it registered in 2000, took its first class of 30 students in Cape Town in 2001 and has been a specialist animation school since. It describes its aim as producing graduates who are studio-ready, working with industry professionals to design the curriculum.
The main qualification is the three-year Diploma in Digital Animation, which the school states is accredited at NQF Level 6 and is the same SAQA-accredited curriculum at the Cape Town, Johannesburg and online options. It is full-time. Year one covers core animation principles, software and storytelling across 2D and 3D; year two focuses on 3D character design and animation (concept, modelling, texturing, surfacing and rigging, plus look development, compositing, screenwriting and storyboarding); year three covers pre-production, production specialisation in two areas, an animated short film, professional development and an industry placement. A Higher Certificate in 2D Animation (stated as NQF Level 5) is listed, but new enrolments are currently paused. Short online courses (for example Intro to 2D Animation, Intermediate 2D Animation, Storyboarding Foundations and Intro to 3D Animation, each six weeks at R4,200) have no entry requirements.
Campuses and student life: both campuses have an acting space, a sound recording room and high-spec computers with 24-hour access, a study area and a canteen; Johannesburg also has a library and Cintiq drawing room. The Cape Town campus has a secure on-site residence for first and second year students. The online diploma is delivered through Moodle and Microsoft Teams, with online counselling and wellness check-ins.
International students: international applicants may apply for the diploma and online short courses; foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA and equivalent to NQF Level 4 or higher, and applicants whose first language is not English must show proof of English proficiency. Live classes run in South African Standard Time, fees are paid in rand, and international students can use the Cape Town residence.
Industry links: the school lists partnerships with Gobelins (Paris) and the Emile Cohl School (Lyon), a student film selected for the Annecy International Animation Festival in 2016, and states more than 200 awards. It cites an Animation Career Review ranking (top 25 for six or more years; top 11 in 2025 on one page and top 10 on another) and an 80 to 90% graduate employment rate, as published by the school itself.
The Animation School is giving three aspiring animators their tuition fees covered for all three years of the Diploma in Digital Animation, starting in 2027. One bursary goes to the top portfolio for each study option: Cape Town campus, Johannesburg campus and online. It covers tuition for first, second and third year, subject to normal academic progression and student conduct requirements. It excludes equipment, materials, accommodation, transport, stipends and all other non-tuition costs.
Who can enter: new applicants starting the first year of the diploma in 2027 who meet the normal admission requirements and submit a complete application with the creative work and supporting documents by the closing date. The Cape Town and Johannesburg bursaries are open to South African citizens; the online bursary is open to South African and international citizens. Applicants under 18 need parent or guardian consent. There is no separate competition project: the diploma application and portfolio are assessed. Applications open on 9 October 2026 and bursary applications close on 31 December 2026 at 23:59 SAST. Apply through the diploma application and select the option to take part in the bursary campaign; those who have already applied or registered for 2027 are considered automatically unless they opt out.
The school awards internal scholarships only in the second and third year to students who show exceptional academic performance, skill and work ethic.
Fee payment plans (settlement in full, four instalments or ten instalments) are listed on the tuition fees page. Official pages: bursary, tuition fees, financial assistance FAQ.
The Animation School Creative Futures Bursary →
Browse the scholarships listed for Animation School (Pty) Ltd and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for Animation School (Pty) Ltd →Applicants need a portfolio of artwork for assessment, basic computer literacy (confident on Windows or Mac, saving and retrieving files, internet use), and a National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) with admission to a Diploma or Bachelor's degree, or a National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4. The school's Q&A states at least 50% in three fundamental subjects including English and at least 60% in the three compulsory vocational subjects for the vocational route. Applicants may apply while still completing Grade 12.
The portfolio is a single PDF containing one six-panel comic strip (template supplied) showing how to apply, plus six to twelve original artworks created in the past three years in any medium. It is assessed on overall impression, proportions, technique, shading and storytelling; traced, copied or AI-generated work is not accepted. Applicants also write a one-page A4 letter of motivation, then complete the online application and upload the letter, portfolio PDF, NSC or academic transcript (or equivalent international qualification) and a colour ID photo. Applicants are told within two weeks whether they were accepted; accepted applicants are invited to an online interview on Microsoft Teams, and a successful interview allows registration and payment of the deposit. There is no application fee. Applications for the Diploma in Digital Animation close on 31 January 2027 (the entry requirements page still shows 31 January 2026).
International applications close on 31 January 2027. Foreign qualifications (including Cambridge, GED or home schooling) must be submitted to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for evaluation before applying and be equivalent to NQF Level 4 or higher. If English is not the first language, applicants need an English pass at A-level or O-level, a TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.5. Fees are quoted and paid in South African rand. Financial assistance is not available to international students on the school's international page.
No entry requirements: complete the application form and upload proof of payment.
Diploma tuition for South African and other African students is R131,000 to R144,500 depending on the payment plan: full settlement (R131,000, deposit R32,000 and balance of R99,000 by 31 October 2026), a four-instalment plan (R138,100 with a R22,500 deposit) or a ten-instalment plan (R144,500 with a R22,500 deposit). International and rest-of-Africa applicants pay R131,000 in full. Fees include free access to Autodesk Maya, Adobe Suite and Toonboom Harmony but exclude compulsory books, other software, digital drawing equipment and hard drives. Budget an additional R3,000 per year for computer-related costs is noted for account payers on the Higher Certificate section.
Libraries and canteens operate during office hours; campuses are accessible 24 hours. Students can apply to transfer from online to on-campus after completing a full academic year, subject to availability.
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