Skip to main content
Programs

Animation (3 year)

ANPGSchool of Creative Industries

Apply today
Student using a stylus on a digital tablet to illustrate cartoon characters with a drawing software interface.

Key Details

Program Start Dates

September 2025

January 2026

Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.

Program Delivery

Campus / Full-time

Credential

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

Program Duration

6 Semesters / 3 Years

Program Contacts

James Munro

Program Coordinator / Professor

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.7776
International Admissions
Send email

Program Overview

A student is using a digital tablet with a stylus, sitting at a desk in a dimly lit room.

Step-up your animation skills: Specialize in 2D or 3D animation

Fully immerse yourself in the world of animation. During your first two years, you’ll develop your drawing and storytelling skills through the 12 principles of animation. With regular access to industry-standard software and hardware, you’ll apply traditional techniques to 2D and 3D animation and gain a basic understanding of the animation process.

In your third year, you’ll take advanced courses in life drawing, character design, and story and choose an area of concentration: 2D or 3D. The 2D stream focuses on Toon Boom Harmony rigging, layout, and 2D animation. If you choose the 3D stream, you’ll specialize in 3D rigging, modeling, and animating with Autodesk Maya. In your final semester, you’ll complete a capstone project that you can add to your portfolio. 

When you graduate, you’ll jumpstart your career as an animation artist with a professional portfolio and demo reel, ready to work in television, games, film, advertising, and more.

Program Highlights

Program highlights

  • Upskill your general animation training by specializing in 2D or 3D with third-year stream options
  • Graduates of Cambrian’s two-year animation diploma program (ANIM) gain direct entry into the third year of this program
  • Develop dynamic storytelling, drawing, design, and animation skills 
  • Graduate with a production-ready portfolio 
  • Train at Cambrian’s 13,900-square-foot animation studio 
  • Toon Boom Centre of Excellence program
  • Opportunity to showcase your work to industry representatives on a field trip to Toronto

Admissions

Admission requirements

For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status including:

  • Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
  • Submission of a portfolio (see additional admission requirements)

International Student Admissions

Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.

Learn more

Additional admission requirements

Portfolio requirements

In order to be accepted for admission in Cambrian College’s Animation Program, students are required to submit a portfolio.  All entries should be submitted on 8 1/2" x 11" paper (no original artwork) and should include the following elements:

Life Studies

Two (2) drawings are from life, either a human model or an animal.  The drawings should reflect an attempt to understand:

  • structure and anatomy
  • proportion
  • perspective
  • mass and volume
  • visual appeal and rhythm
  • balance

One (1) drawing of the artist’s hand and forearm that shows and understanding of the above elements.  The drawing can be loose.

Character Study

Design a character and draw this character in a variety of poses (minimum of 5 poses).  Each pose should show a different emotion.  It is important to think about the character as an actor.  Students should pay close attention to the following:

  • structure and solid 3D construction 
  • perspective
  • mass and volume
  • appeal
  • continuity of model (is it the same character in each pose?) 

Perspective Study

One (1) drawing of a room in your home.  This drawing should showcase knowledge of the following:

  • perspective
  • depth and 3D space
  • proportion
  • visual appeal

This drawing should be a clean line drawing.

Personal Work

Six (6) to ten (10) pieces that reflect your style and skill.  These can be drawings and paintings.  If you would like you can show a mix of classical and digital art.

Submission Process

Please mail your portfolio to the following address: 

James Munro
c/o Cambrian College
1400 Barrydowne Road
Sudbury, ON, Canada
P3A 3V8

Portfolios can also be submitted digitally to the following email address: james.munro@cambriancollege.ca

Remember, presentation says a lot about who you are and your work ethic.  Good luck!

Recommended:

  • Grade 11 or 12 credits in visual arts and/or media arts (M) or (O)
Student in a green polo shirt holds a folder in a modern office setting. Two others sit in the background.

Academic Upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!

Program delivery

Program delivery

2025-2026

Fall term start

  • Semester 1: Fall 2025
  • Semester 2: Winter 2026
  • Semester 3: Fall 2026
  • Semester 4: Winter 2027
  • Semester 5: Fall 2027
  • Semester 6: Winter 2028

Winter term start

  • Semester 1: Winter 2026
  • Semester 2: Spring 2026
  • Semester 3: Fall 2026
  • Semester 4: Winter 2027
  • Semester 5: Fall 2027
  • Semester 6: Winter 2028

Program of Study

Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year 

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
ANI 1130Life Drawing4
ANI 1131Drawing for Animation4
ANI 1132Intro to Animation Principles4
ANI 1133Intro to Drawing and Painting2
ANI 1134Digital Tools2
ANI 1135Visual Language2
COM 1001Art and Design Communication3
 Credits21
Semester 2
ANI 2130Life Drawing II3
ANI 2131Introduction to Design2
ANI 2132Body Mechanics3
ANI 2133Drawing and Painting2
ANI 2134Intro to 3D3
ANI 2135Intro to 2D Rigging3
ANI 2136Story Concepts2
One General Education Course3
 Credits21
Semester 3
ANI 3130Life Drawing III3
ANI 3131Development and Design2
ANI 3132Action Analysis4
ANI 31333D Animation I3
ANI 3134Layout I2
ANI 3135Story and Visual Narrative2
ANI 3136Intro to Modelling2
One General Education course. 13
 Credits21
Semester 4
ANI 4130Life Drawing IV3
ANI 4131Character Design2
ANI 4132Acting for Animation4
ANI 41333D Animation II3
ANI 4134Layout II2
ANI 4135Story and Visual Narrative II2
ANI 4136Portfolio Development2
One General Education Course3
 Credits21
Semester 5
ANI 1045Life Drawing V3
ANI 2110Story3
ANI 2460Character Design II3
2D OR 3D Stream Electives 212
 Credits21
Semester 6
ANI 1047Life Drawing VI3
ANI 2470Character Design III3
ANI 3650Portfolio II3
2D or 3D Stream Electives 312
 Credits21
 Total Credits126
1

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

2

Electives for Semester 5

2D Stream
ANI 2550 – 2D Character Rigging I
ANI 3260 –  Layout IIII
ANI 3320 – Character Animation

3D Stream
ANI 2555 – Modelling I
ANI 3110 – Into to 3D Rigging
ANI 3310 – 3D Animation III

3

Electives for Semester 6

2D Stream
ANI 2650 – 2D Character Rigging II
ANI 3360 – Layout IV
ANI 3710 – Animation Capstone

3D Stream
ANI 2655 – Modelling II
ANI 3210 – 3D Rigging II
ANI 3720 – 3D Animation Capstone

Fees

Tuition Cost

Canadian Students

$4,826.88Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

International Students

$18,257.92Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

Tuition and ancillary fees

Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.

Books and supplies

Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.

College may be more affordable than you think!

Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!

Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!

Work-integrated learning (WIL)

Take your education beyond the classroom!

Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.

Field of Study

School of Creative Industries

Looking to further your craft and pursue a career where your creativity can lead to a fulfilling career? At Cambrian, a program in Creative Industries allows you to tap into your talents and develop skills that can allow you to pursue that ideal job. You’ll learn from industry professionals who have been able to create and succeed in the modern workplace.

Learn more

Specific program pathways

College or university degree opportunities  

If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information. 

Career Outcomes

Employment opportunities

Graduates may find employment in entertainment, information, and education, and training industries that include the following:

  • Feature
  • Television
  • Advertising
  • Internet
  • Video games
  • Visual aids
 
media1A radiology student Julia working with equipment.

Need a career coach?

Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!

See where you'll be learning!

Minimum technology requirements

Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.

A student in a white shirt smiles while holding a children's book titled "What's My Superpower?" in a room with books and an orange chair.

Ready to take the first step?

Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!

Have Questions?
We are here to help.

If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!

* Required field
Back to Programs

Related Programs

A student with glasses and red hair stands smiling indoors, holding a tablet and stylus. There are colorful posters and stacked folders in the background.

Graphic Design

Ontario College Advanced Diploma
6 Semesters / 3 Years
School of Creative Industries
A student wearing safety glasses operates a robotic machine using a handheld controller in a laboratory setting.

Electromechanical Engineering Technology – Mechatronics

Ontario College Advanced Diploma
6 Semesters / 3 Years
School of Engineering Technology