B.F.A. in Animation

Program Overview

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B.F.A. in Animation

Description

Study Animation at one of the world’s top 25 universities for animation, according to Animation Magazine, and learn to bring stories, characters, and entire worlds to life. Master the art of moving audiences through your creations.

At U-tad, you’ll be trained by acclaimed international professionals and PhD-level educators with deep experience in the animation industry. Our graduates work at top studios around the world and have contributed to Oscar, Annie, BAFTA, and Goya-winning productions.

Throughout the degree, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of every stage of an animation pipeline — from storytelling and concept art to 3D modeling, lighting, VFX, character design, shading, compositing, and more. You’ll learn the full pre-production, production, and post-production workflows used in major animated and live-action feature films.

In your final years, you’ll specialize with an official Minor in either 2D Animation or3D Visual Effects , allowing you to develop deeper expertise in your chosen area and access career opportunities in the best studios worldwide.

Specialize with one of our Official Minors

• Minor in 2D Animation: In this specialization, you’ll learn the key processes and techniques of 2D animation. You’ll develop strong drawing skills for creating animated content, using both traditional and digital tools. You’ll design and develop characters, and learn how to express their personality through gestures, poses, and movement. You’ll also create environments and build solid skills for the pre-production phase of animated films.
• Minor in Backend Animation Pipeline techniques: Visual effects (VFX) are essential to integrating animated elements into live-action and animated productions. In this specialization, you’ll gain the technical and artistic knowledge required to contribute to complex animation pipelines in professional environments.

Competencies and career opportunities of B.F.A in Animation

As a graduate of U-tad’s Bachelor’s Degree in Animation, you’ll be prepared to work in a wide range of roles across the animation and visual effects industries. You’ll develop a deep understanding of the creative, artistic, and technical processes involved in animated productions — and gain the skills needed to thrive in leading studios worldwide.

• Character FX Artist (fabric and hair simulation)
• Previs and Layout Artist
• Color Artist
• 3D Modeler
• Developer of dynamic simulations and procedural systems
• Interface Designer
• Technical Artist
• Lighting and Digital Compositing Specialist
• Rendering Technician
• Matte Painter
• Texture and Shader Developer
• 3D Generalist
• Storyboard Artist
• 2D/3D Animator
• Character and Environment Designer
• Character Developer
• 2D/3D Artist
• 2D/3D Layout Artist
• 2D/3D Designer
• 2D Effects Artist
• Digital Inker and Colorist (Ink & Paint Artist)
• Inbetweener and Clean-up Artist
• Cinematic Artist
• Visual Effects Artist

Where our students work

U-tad graduates have contributed to some of the most acclaimed productions in the animation and visual effects industries. They’ve worked at leading international studios such as MPC (The Lion King, Dumbo), Double Negative (Avengers: Endgame), Framestore (Dumbo, The Jungle Book), El Ranchito (Game of Thrones), SPA Studios (Klaus), Blur Studio (Love, Death & Robots), Cartoon Saloon (The Breadwinner, Wolfwalkers), Glow Animation (Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles), Ilion Animation Studios (Wonder Park), Industrial Light & Magic (Star Wars), Sony Pictures Imageworks (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), and Weta Digital (The Lord of the Rings), among many others shaping the future of animation and VFX.

Students' projects and awards

Our student films have received recognition at prestigious festivals and awards. Ciao Peskao , a 2D short film created by U-tad students, was pre-selected for the Goya Awards 2025 , Spain’s most prestigious film honors. Nieve Roja , another standout project, won theBest Animation Short Film award at theNew Jersey Film Festival. Other U-tad projects have gone on to win awards and be featured in internationally acclaimed films.

International Mobility

At U-tad, you’ll have the opportunity to complete part of your studies abroad at a leading partner university through the Erasmus+ program.

Faculty

Learn from the best. At U-tad, you’ll be trained by active professionals from the animation and VFX industries — artists, supervisors, directors, and technical experts who have worked on top-tier productions at major international studios.

• Abraham López Guerrero: Academic Director of the Animation and VFX Area, Film Director
• Cristina Ruiz-Poveda Vera: Deputy Academic Director of the Animation and Visual Effects Area, Teacher and Researcher
• Gonzalo Martín Sánchez: Animation Academic Coordinator, Audiovisual producer
• Rafael López Fernández: Animation Academic Coordinator, Coordinator and Teacher

Study plan

Course 1

SUBJECT	COURSE	SEMESTER	TYPE	ECTS
History and Artistic Tradition	1º	1	B	6
Introduction to drawing and painting	1º	1	B	6
Principles of 3D Graphics	1º	1	B	6
Elements of Visual and Cinematographic Composition	1º	1	OB	3
Screenwriting	1º	1	B	6
Creative Thinking	1º	1	OB	3
Human and Animal Anatomy	1º	2	B	6
Principles of Animation	1º	2	B	6
Geometric Representation Systems	1º	2	OB	6
Color and Light Theory	1º	2	OB	3
History of Cinema and Animation	1º	2	OB	3
Audiovisual Narrative	1º	2	OB	3
Projects I: creation of digital signage	1º	2	B	3

Course 2

SUBJECT	COURSE	SEMESTER	TYPE	ECTS
Principles of body dynamics	2º	1	OB	3
Sculpture	2º	1	B	6
Digital Editing	2º	1	B	6
Fundamentals of Music and Sound Design	2º	1	OB	3
Storyboarding	2º	1	OB	6
Object Modeling	2º	1	OB	3
Digital Production	2º	1	OB	3
3D Character Animation I	2º	2	OB	6
Character Design	2º	2	OB	3
Photography	2º	2	B	6
Projects II: creation of an animatic	2º	2	OB	3
Organic Modeling	2º	2	OB	6
Previsualization and Realization	2º	2	OB	6

Course 3

SUBJECT	COURSE	SEMESTER	TYPE	ECTS
Texturing and Shading	3º	1	OB	6
3D Character Animation II	3º	2	OB	6
Design and Development of Environments and Elements	3º	1	OB	6
Projects III: pre-production for the creation of a short film and/or art for videogames and immersive systems	3º	2	OB	6
Lighting and Compositing I	3º	2	OB	6
Minor in 2D Animation
2D Project Development	3º	1	OBM	6
2D Layout	3º	1	OBM	6
2D Character Development	3º	1	OBM	6
Ink & Paint 2D	3º	2	OBM	6
2D Character Animation I	3º	2	OBM	6
Minor in Backend Animation Pipeline techniques
CG Projects Development	3º	1	OBM	6
CG Layout	3º	1	OBM	6
Rigging	3º	1	OBM	6
Programming for CG Scenes	3º	2	OBM	6
Character FX	3º	2	OBM	6

Course 4

SUBJECT	COURSE	SEMESTER	TYPE	ECTS
Advanced Animation	4º	1	OB	6
Experimental Animation	4º	2	OB	6
Company Internships	4º	Anual	OB	6
Projects IV: production and postproduction of a short animated film and/or art for video games and immersive systems.	4º	Anual	OB	18
Final Degree Project	4º	Anual	OB	6
Company Internships	4º	Anual	OP	6
Training for Employment	4º	Anual	OP	6
Minor in 2D Animation
2D Compositing and Effects	4º	1	OBM	6
2D Character Animation II	4º	Anual	OBM	12
Minor in Backend Animation Pipeline techniques
3D Visual Effects	4º	1	OBM	6
Lighting and Compositing II	4º	1	OBM	6
Matte Painting	4º	2	OBM	6

Additional information / competencies

• Year of implementation:
• Spots for new students in the Degree: 180 in campus + 60 online
• Branch of knowledge: Humanities

Minimum number of ECTS per type of registration and course

Minimum	Maximum
Full-time 1st course	60	60
Full-time rest of courses	30	75
Part-time 1st course	25	30
Part-time rest of courses	18	45

Program Outline

Outline:

• Year 1
• History and Artistic Tradition
• Introduction to drawing and painting
• Principles of 3D Graphics
• Elements of Visual and Cinematographic Composition
• Screenwriting
• Creative Thinking
• Human and Animal Anatomy
• Principles of Animation
• Geometric Representation Systems
• Color and Light Theory
• History of Cinema and Animation
• Audiovisual Narrative
• Projects I: creation of digital signage
• Year 2
• Principles of body dynamics
• Sculpture
• Digital Editing
• Fundamentals of Music and Sound Design
• Storyboarding
• Object Modeling
• Digital Production
• 3D Character Animation I
• Character Design
• Photography
• Projects II: creation of an animatic
• Organic Modeling
• Previsualization and Realization
• Year 3
• Texturing and Shading
• 3D Character Animation II
• Design and Development of Environments and Elements
• Projects III: pre-production for the creation of a short film and/or art for videogames and immersive systems
• Lighting and Compositing I
• Minor in 2D Animation
• 2D Project Development
• 2D Layout
• 2D Character Development
• Ink & Paint 2D
• 2D Character Animation I
• Minor in Art for Video Games and Immersive Systems
• Video Game Design
• Modeling for Video Games and Immersive Systems
• Rigging for Video Games and Immersive Systems
• Animation for Video Games and Immersive Systems
• Shading and Lighting for Video Games and Immersive Systems I
• Mention in advanced 3D techniques for animation
• CG Project Development
• CG Layout
• Rigging
• Programming for CG scenes
• Character FX
• Year 4
• Advanced Animation
• Experimental Animation
• Company Internships
• Projects IV: production and postproduction of a short animated film and/or art for video games and immersive systems.
• Final Degree Project
• Company Internships (optional)
• Training for Employment (optional)
• Minor in 2D Animation
• 2D Compositing and Effects
• 2D Character Animation II
• Minor in Art for Video Games and Immersive Systems
• Visual Effects for Video Games and Immersive Systems
• Shading and Lighting for Video Games and Immersive Systems II
• Real Time Simulation Systems
• Mention in advanced 3D techniques for animation
• 3D Visual Effects

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Careers:

• Character FX Artist (fabric and hair simulation)
• Preview and layout artist
• Color Artist
• 3D Modeler
• Dynamic simulations and procedural systems developer
• Interface designer
• Technical Artist
• Lighting and digital composition specialist
• Rendering technician
• Matte Painter
• Texture and shader developer
• 3D Generalist
• Storyboard artist
• 2D/3D Animator
• Character and environment designer/creator
• Character developer
• 2D/3D Artist
• 2D/3D Layout Artist
• 2D/3D Designer
• 2D effects developer
• Digital inker and colorist (ink & paint artist)
• Inbetweener and clean-up artist
• Cinematic artist
• Gameplay Artist
• Visual Effects Artist