Animation Courses After 12th

If you are fascinated by the world created by Disney and Pixar, and you can never stop talking about the great VFX of your PlayStation? Then yes, animation might be a good option for you to pursue. Animation is a course that uses visual techniques in order to create an illusion. There are many courses that you can pursue in animation after finishing high school. Here is all the information that you will need for the animation course after the 12th.

Animation Courses: Quick Highlights 

Animation courses after the 12th offer both diploma and undergraduate programs with affordable fees and excellent entry-level opportunities. Here are the latest stats on course types, eligibility, fees, and job potential in India.

Category	Details
Program Level	Undergraduate and Diploma
Eligibility Criteria	Undergraduate – 12th pass with minimum 50%; Diploma – 10th pass
Selection Criteria	Entrance-based or merit-based admission
Course Fees	INR 5,000 – INR 2,00,000
Job Opportunities	Animator, Rigging Artist, Texture Artist, Game Designer, etc.
Expected Salary	INR 2,00,000 – 10,00,000 per annum
Top Recruiters	Reliance Mediaworks, Crest Animation Studios, Anibrain, Pentamedia Graphics

Why Choose Animation Courses After 12th?

Animation is a career where creativity meets technology. If you’re someone who dreams big, loves design, and wants a future beyond boring 9-to-5 jobs, here’s why animation after 12th could be your perfect path:

• If you enjoy sketching, storytelling, or playing with visuals, animation turns those interests into real, paying work.
  
• Big names like Disney, Pixar, Netflix, and game studios like Ubisoft are always on the hunt for fresh animation talent.
  
• Skilled animators in India and abroad can earn between ₹3 LPA to ₹10+ LPA depending on their work and niche.
  
• You don’t need to crack stressful entrance exams. Your skills, creativity, and portfolio matter more here.
  
•  From gaming to OTT platforms and advertising, the demand for good animators is booming every year.
  
• Animation gives you the option to work from home, freelance globally, or even launch your own studio.

Also Read: BSc Animation

Popular Animation Courses After 12th

So, you’ve passed 12th and decided to chase the animation dream? Good choice. But here comes the big question: which course should you actually pick? Here’s a breakdown of the most popular ones, what they’re about, and what kind of animation wizard they’ll turn you into.

1. BSc in Animation
The classic degree route for anyone who wants to do it all, 2D, 3D, VFX, motion graphics, and a whole lot more. You’ll learn the technical side and the storytelling side, making you ready for anything from gaming studios to film sets.

2. BA in Animation & Multimedia
Perfect if you’re more of a creative storyteller than a tech geek. This one leans into character design, visual aesthetics, multimedia art, and experimental animation. Think aesthetics + design vibes + some solid animation tools.

3. Diploma in 2D/3D Animation
Short, skill-focused, and super hands-on. These courses skip the theory and throw you straight into animation software, modeling, rigging, and character animation. Ideal for people who want job-ready skills fast.

4. Certificate in Animation and VFX
A great starter pack if you’re testing the waters. These are short-term crash courses where you’ll get introduced to visual effects, editing, motion design, and more. Good for building portfolios or upgrading your skill stack.

5. BSc in Gaming & Animation
This one’s tailor-made for gamers who want to make the games, not just play them. You’ll study game design, animation engines, 3D modeling, and real-time interaction. Perfect if you want to work in the gaming industry or AR/VR.

6. BA in Graphic Design & Animation
This hybrid course is for those who love both branding and animation. You’ll learn motion graphics, branding animations, UI/UX motion, and visual storytelling like YouTube intros, brand ads, or app animations.

7. VFX Specialization Courses
Want to work on Marvel-level explosions or make dragons fly in a fantasy film? Then this one’s for you. These courses focus purely on visual effects, green screen, compositing, CGI, all the heavy-duty magic stuff.

Also Read: Top 8 Online Animation Courses with Certificates

Course Duration and Fees Structure 

It’s smart to know how long it’ll take and what the investment looks like. A quick overview of course durations and average fee structures in India and abroad, so you can plan accordingly:

Course Type	Duration (India)	Avg. Fees (India)	Duration (Abroad)	Avg. Fees (Abroad)
Certificate Course	3–12 months	₹0.2 – ₹1 Lakh	3–9 months	$1K – $5K
Diploma Course	1–2 years	₹0.5 – ₹2 Lakh	1–2 years	$5K – $15K
Undergraduate Degree (BA/BSc)	3 years	₹2 – ₹6 Lakh	3–4 years	$15K – $40K per year
VFX/Game Design Specialization	6–18 months	₹0.8 – ₹3 Lakh	1–2 years	$10K – $25K

Note: These are average estimates. Fees may vary by institute, course, and country.

Eligibility Criteria

Animation courses require different academic qualifications depending on the level and location of the program.

India 

• Undergraduate Programs (BA, BSc, BDes): Candidates must have passed 10+2 (any stream) with a minimum of 50% aggregate; some institutes may demand higher marks.
  
• Diploma and Certificate Courses: Require only a 10th-pass certificate, sometimes with no specific percentage criteria.
  
• Selection Process: Admission is based on entrance exams or merit, depending on the institution.

Abroad 

• Undergraduate Degrees: Applicants need a high school diploma equivalent to 10+2, often with emphasis on creative subjects or portfolios. Specific academic thresholds may be required (e.g., 112 UCAS points in the UK).
  
• English Proficiency: Most universities require scores such as IELTS 6.0+ or equivalent.
  
• Portfolio & Creative Aptitude: Many institutions require an artistic portfolio and/or statements demonstrating creativity and motivation.

Also Read: Top VFX Courses: Universities, Fees, Eligibility

Top Colleges for Animation 

Here’s a list of some of the most reputed institutes known for their animation programs both in India and abroad.

Animation Colleges in India

India offers a mix of traditional and modern animation schools that focus on practical skills and industry exposure. These colleges are great for students looking to start strong right after 12th.

• National Institute of Design (NID)
• Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay
• MAAC (Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics)
• Arena Animation
• Frameboxx 2.0
• Whistling Woods International
• Picasso Animation College
• Zee Institute of Creative Art (ZICA)

Animation Colleges Abroad

If you’re aiming for global animation careers, these international colleges offer advanced techniques, cutting-edge software, and top-tier placements. Many alumni go on to work at Disney, Pixar, and major gaming studios.

• School of Visual Arts, New York
• Rhodes Island School of Design
• California Institute of Arts
• Ringling College of Art and Design
• University of Southern California
• RMIT University, Australia
• École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques
• Beijing Film Academy, China
• Royal College of Art, UK
• Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Must Read: Best Animation Colleges in India

Key Syllabus of Animation Courses

No matter what animation course after the 12th you undertake, these are the key components of the syllabus that you should be aware of before you choose this course:

3D Animation: Animating objects in a three-dimensional space is a key component of this course. In this course, you are expected to manipulate graphic images in such a way that they function in a three-dimensional space. This technique is used in almost all the software industry today.

Gaming Technology: As the name itself makes it very clear, this stream of animation is strictly based on the requirements of the gaming industry and creating content that is relevant to the gaming industry. 

VFX: VFX is the abbreviated version of visual effects which are usually used to manipulate or develop moving imagery for various purposes. This technique is used in filmmaking a lot and has a great demand in movies that need visual effects on a greater platform.

Digital Editing: This field includes editing, inserting and removing various digital components from a screen in order to achieve a specific target. This is usually used in editing and producing visual effects for any industry including marketing, television film making etc. 

Key Skills Required 

To thrive in the world of animation, you need the right set of skills that make your ideas move, quite literally! Here are some must-haves:

• Creativity and imagination
• Drawing and sketching skills
• Attention to detail
• Storytelling ability
• Technical proficiency (animation software)
• Time management
• Teamwork and communication skills

Also Read: Animation Courses in New Zealand

Career Scope and Salary Prospects 

Animation powers everything from blockbuster movies to mobile games. Let’s take a quick look at some of the top job roles you can land after an animation course and how much they typically earn:

ob Role	Average Salary (India)	Average Salary (Abroad)
2D/3D Animator	₹3–6 LPA	$40K–$70K/year
Character Designer	₹3.5–7 LPA	$45K–$75K/year
Storyboard Artist	₹4–8 LPA	$50K–$85K/year
VFX Artist	₹4–10 LPA	$50K–$90K/year
Game Designer	₹5–12 LPA	$60K–$100K/year
Rigging Artist	₹3–6 LPA	$40K–$70K/year
Lighting Artist	₹4–9 LPA	$50K–$85K/year
Motion Graphics Artist	₹3.5–8 LPA	$45K–$80K/year

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Choosing the right course and the right college can be a tough decision especially when you want to specialize in a field like animation, let the counsellors at Leverage Edu assist you in coming to an informed decision so that nothing can come between you and your dream career.