A school at the heart of the innovative creative industries
Located in the heart of the creative district, ESMA Montpellier offers a learning environment that matches the creative ambitions of future 3D animation professionals. The campus is equipped with professional facilities, including drawing rooms, 3D animation studios, post-production areas, filming equipment and high-performance computer workstations.
Located in an innovative and cultural district, ESMA Montpellier is part of a dynamic creative ecosystem. This strategic location encourages immersion in the animation, VFX and digital creation industries.
Courses at ESMA Montpellier
ESMA Montpellier offers courses combining artistic creation, technical mastery and professional immersion, to prepare students for careers in 3D animation, VFX, video games, concept art and entertainment management.
Prep Entertainment
A preparatory year to master the fundamentals of drawing, volume and visual storytelling. It enables students to confirm their career plans and acquire the essential skills before continuing their studies in a specialised course.
Design Prep
A year dedicated to acquiring and perfecting basic skills in drawing and applied arts. It offers students a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary approach, enriching their creative vision and artistic practice.
3D Animation & Special Effects
A complete 5-year course, validated by a Level 7 RNCP qualification (Bac+5), which trains students in the various stages of producing a 3D animated film: storyboarding, modelling, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering and compositing. The final year is dedicated to the creation of a collective short film, which is presented before an international jury of professionals, a real opportunity to reveal your creative potential and get noticed at major animation festivals.
Video Game
A 4-year vocational course to specialise in the video game industry: Game Artist, Level Designer or Technical Artist. This comprehensive course covers all aspects of game design and video game production: 3D modelling, programming, UX/UI design, prototyping, etc.
Illustration Concept Art
A complete 3-year course, validated by a Level 6 RNCP qualification (Bac+3), which trains students for careers in illustration and concept art. Students explore the many areas of visual creation: publishing, communication and entertainment. From the first year, they acquire a solid grounding in the applied arts. Throughout their course, they develop a keen sense of aesthetics and detail, essential for designing rich, coherent and immersive worlds.
MSc Producer & Entertainment Manager
A high-level course in collaboration with MBS School of Business, which trains the future leaders of the creative industries. This MSc combines management expertise, digital culture and in-depth knowledge of the entertainment sector. The programme develops key skills in leadership, communication and team management, while raising awareness of the responsible use of digital tools.
Multimedia Graphic Design
Combining theory and practice, the Graphic Design course offers a comprehensive, professionally-oriented apprenticeship in the world of graphic design. Students explore, experiment and develop their skills in visual communication, from print to digital.
Interior design
A 3-year vocational course devoted to the design and layout of interior spaces. Students develop both artistic and technical skills in design, volumes, materials and 3D tools. The course combines creativity, project methodology and mastery of professional software, preparing students for careers as interior architects and space designers.
Step-by-step professional immersion
Supervised by professionals in 3D animation, VFX and video games, students apply their skills in projects, workshops and masterclasses. In the final year, the course culminates in the production of a short animated film or a complete video game, presented before an international jury of industry experts.
A campus of excellence dedicated to 3D, animation and video games
ESMA Montpellier welcomes its students to a modern, innovative campus in the heart of the dynamic Port Marianne district. This large-scale site meets the standards of the creative industries and offers a learning environment conducive to excellence in 3D animation, special effects and video games.
The campus is equipped with top-level professional facilities: animation studios, computer rooms with high-performance workstations, specialised software such as Maya, Houdini, Blender and Unreal Engine. Every space is designed to reproduce the production conditions of professional studios.
There are also sound studios, drawing studios and professional filming equipment, all essential for 3D animation, VFX and video-game creation projects. The working environment encourages complete mastery of the production chain: modelling, texturing, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering and compositing.
To enhance the student experience, the campus offers coworking and relaxation areas, designed to stimulate creativity and exchange. ESMA Montpellier has positioned itself as a genuine springboard for careers in 3D animation, special effects and video games.
Housing solutions tailored to student life in Montpellier
ESMA Montpellier is making student life easier through its partnership with Artemisia, a specialist in student accommodation. Located in the immediate vicinity of the campus, the residence offers modern, functional, fully-equipped studios, as well as shared accommodation options designed for future professionals in 3D animation, video games and concept art.
Living close to the campus means you can take full advantage of the educational and creative facilities, while quickly integrating into student life and developing strong links within the ESMA community.
Montpellier, a student city par excellence, also offers a wide range of alternatives in the form of private residences. This diversity of solutions, in the heart of an innovative and dynamic district, means you can combine study, comfort and immersion in the creative industries.
Join a benchmark school for digital animation, special effects and videogame worlds
Montpellier, a creative metropolis connected to the digital industry
Montpellier is a leading city for the creative industries, particularly 3D animation and video games, with renowned studios such as Ubisoft, Digixart and Sandfall Interactive.
The city is home to a number of animation studios and companies specialising in digital production, as well as a dynamic ecosystem of start-ups.
A career accelerator for French and international studios
At ESMA Montpellier, students acquire the skills sought after by 3D and gaming studios. Thanks to the alumni network and professional partnerships, they are more easily integrated into the creative industries in France and abroad.
Each pathway culminates in a high level of artistic and technical expertise, a real springboard for entering the creative industries.
Montpellier, a vibrant and creative student city
Montpellier is one of France’s top student cities, renowned for its dynamic, sunny climate and vibrant cultural scene. As the capital of the Hérault region, it attracts a large student population every year thanks to its historic heritage, festivals dedicated to the digital arts and unique Mediterranean atmosphere.
Between the narrow streets of the Écusson and contemporary art exhibitions, Montpellier inspires creativity and facilitates professional and artistic encounters.
Located in the heart of a lively urban environment, the ESMA Montpellier campus offers an ideal setting for studying. The school is very close to the city centre and is easily accessible by tram, bus or bicycle thanks to a network of public transport services. Located in a dynamic, creative city, it enjoys a pleasant, well-connected urban environment. The nearby Saint-Roch train station provides easy access to major French cities. With over 16,000 m² of campus and student accommodation, workshops, studios and classrooms equipped with the latest technology, it welcomes almost 1,000 students every year. A real meeting place, it encourages collaboration between disciplines and the emergence of innovative projects.
With its creative environment, accessibility and quality of life, Montpellier is the ideal place to train for careers in 3D animation and video games.