Design

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by private training providers

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree. The most useful courses include practical skills and work placements. Relevant courses include:

• animation
• art and design
• computer games development
• animation production
• visual effects

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You could do a college course that will teach you some of the skills you'll need to get started as a junior animator. Courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Digital Media
• Level 3 Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could take an advanced or higher apprenticeship in creative and digital media, or visual effects. This may help you to get a job as an animation assistant.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could start as an animation 'runner' and work your way up to:

• digital painter
• inbetweener
• assistant animator
• animator

Volunteering and work experience

You may find it useful to do some related voluntary or paid work. You can contact broadcasting companies, advertising agencies, animation studios or computer games companies to find out about work experience opportunities.

Other routes

You could take short courses in animation skills and software packages run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

More information

Career tips

You'll need a showreel and portfolio to highlight your best animation work and ideas. Make your work easy to find, either on your own website or blog, or on a video-sharing website.

Further information

You can get advice about working as an animator from ScreenSkills.

You can also find out more about working in the creative industries from Discover Creative Careers.

With experience, you could progress from animator to lead animator and animation director.

You could also work for larger animation studios, games developers, interactive media designers or video post-production firms.

You might decide to go freelance or start your own studio.