Course summary
Edinburgh College of Art’s (ECA) Animation programme is Scotland’s oldest established degree-level programme in the subject area. Studying animation at ECA gives you the opportunity to experience a wide range of animation methods, technologies, and theories. Our students’ distinct voices and visual styles are at the centre of our teaching. We work with you to help you figure out who you are as an animator and what your films will look like. There is no template you must fit! We are one of the first UK animation programmes to become partners in the Aardman Academy, helping to ensure the industry relevance of our students and our curriculum. Our partnership with Scotland Loves Anime has allowed us to host the annual Education in Animation Day where our students have met directors, producers, and animators from some of the largest and busiest Japanese and Chinese studios, occasionally enabling their first appearances in the UK. If you find beauty in small things, love telling stories, and are fixated upon movement then we think you will enjoy your time here. Programme benefits
- You will have the opportunity to work both as part of a team of animators and take creative control of solo projects.
- You will have access to an exceptional range of equipment, from classical drawn animation (using lightboxes gifted from the studios of The Illusionist), real cameras, lights and puppets through to a Render farm using Pixar’s Renderman software.
- You will learn about every part of the Animation production pipeline.
- You will benefit from a thriving studio environment that offers continuous use of space and interaction with other year groups.
- You will find fantastic opportunities to work with students from other areas of the University, particularly the Reid School of Music and ECA’s Film & TV students.
How to apply
This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.
14Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W615
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Scottish Higher - ABBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
Direct entry to second year is available; see our website for entry requirements. Applicants studying Pearson BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design will be considered for entry with the following: * Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma with DMM * Pearson BTEC Diploma with MM plus one A level at A (or DM plus B at A level) * Pearson BTEC Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma with D plus two A levels at B (or M plus AB at A level) Applicants studying the University of the Arts London Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design will be considered with Merit. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/495-animation
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Scottish Higher - ABBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course
https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/495-animation
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
You need to submit a digital portfolio to show your artistic skill and potential. This portfolio is an important part of the application process for this programme. The portfolio guidance for 2026 entry will be released in August 2025.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. |
You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:
https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £38900 | Year 1 |
| International | £38900 | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535.
For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits
.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Provider information
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL