Location
Montpellier, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse
Duration
5 années de formation dont l'année Prépa Entertainment.
Target Audience
People in initial training with student status
Prerequisites
Prepa Entertainment (year 1) :
Baccalauréat or level 4 qualification
Courses in English: minimum level B2 + not being a native English speaker
In year 2 :
Bac +1 or level 4 qualification specialising in applied arts
Curriculum in English: minimum level B2 + not being a native English speaker
ECTS credits
60 credits (30 credits per semester)
Professional Certification
Titre RNCP40876 – Expert en conception et réalisation – Animation 3D et Effets Spéciaux, Level 7 (Bac+5), registered on the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles, by decision of 25/06/2025.
Internship
Internship(s) recommended at the end of the 3rd and/or 4th year, lasting at least 8 weeks
LAngue
French on all ESMA campuses
Available in English at the Bordeaux, Lyon and Montpellier campuses
Become a professional in 3D animation & VFX
5 years to master the tools and techniques of the biggest studios
The program is structured into teaching units that award ECTS credits (30 ECTS credits per semester).
ESMA’s 3D Animation & VFX course prepares you for careers in animation and special effects. In 5 years, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the entire production pipeline: visual storytelling, modelling, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering and compositing. These are all key skills for building solid expertise and meeting the demands of the professional market.
Supervised by working professionals, you will learn to use the tools of the industry while developing a strong artistic vision. Thanks to a structured progression, you will consolidate your fundamentals, gain in autonomy and specialise in the techniques that correspond to your career plan.
On completion of the course, your technical and creative expertise will enable you to join animation and VFX studios, as well as other sectors such as the medical, luxury, automotive and industrial sectors that require these skills, both in France and abroad.
Why choose ESMA’s 3D Animation & VFX course?
training objectives
Acquire versatility and expertise across the entire production pipeline :
- Design the artistic development of a 3D animation and/or special effects project (pre-production).
- Develop the production of a 3D animation and/or special effects project.
- Manage the production of a 3D animation and/or special effects project.
General teaching
Graphic arts
Observational drawing, narrative drawing, anatomical drawing, illustration, concept art, color, textures, visual composition, artistic experimentation.
Narration & screenplay
Visual storytelling, screenwriting, film analysis, storyboarding.
3D techniques
3D modeling, rigging, 3D animation, lighting, shading, rendering, compositing, VFX, FX, CFX, lookdev.
Tools & software
Professional 3D software, production pipeline, post-production, digital creation software.
Artistic direction
Character design, environment, sound design, art direction, visual identity.
Production
Pre-production, project management, pipeline organization, film production, teamwork.
Communication
Oral expression, written expression, project presentation.
Professional integration
Portfolio, demo reel, coaching, professional simulation, job fair.
Languages
Business English.
Training validated by professional certification
RNCP40876 – Expert in Design and Production – 3D Animation and Special Effects, LevelThe training program is validated by professional certification RNCP40876 – Expert in Design and Production – 3D Animation and Special Effects, level 7 (equivalent to a master’s degree), registered in the National Directory of Professional Certifications on June 25, 2025.
Certifiers: ETPA-Creative Schools, Creative Schools Montpellier, Creative Schools Nantes, Creative Schools Lyon – Bordeaux, Creative Schools Rennes.
Professional certification is obtained by validating the following skills:
- Designing the artistic development of a 3D animation and/or special effects project (pre-production).
- Manage the production of a 3D animation and/or special effects project.
- Develop the production of a 3D animation and/or special effects project.
You have the option of validating one or more skill sets. Certification is also available through VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience).
A course with an international outlook
This 3D course is also available in English at the Bordeaux, Lyon and Montpellier campuses. This programme is aimed at both international and French-speaking students who want to work in a multicultural environment, while benefiting from the school’s teaching expertise.
The course content is comprehensive: it includes intensive FLE (French as a Foreign Language) classes, allowing international students to learn and practice French throughout their studies, as well as all the teaching necessary to master 3D animation and special effects creation.
You will learn how to create characters, animate, model, manage rigging, lighting, and compositing using industry-standard software (Maya, Blender, Nuke, etc.). This is a unique opportunity to join an internationally recognized school and develop a competitive, globally-minded artistic profile.
Concrete results, worldwide recognition
world-class school in the category “Excellence in 3D Animation Production”
(*The Rookies 2025 Competition)success rate
in certification (class of 2025*)
Overall employment integration rate* at 6 months (class of 2023)
*Inclusion is calculated based on respondents, in accordance with the methodology defined by France Compétences.job placement* in the targeted profession within 6 months (class of 2023)
*Inclusion is calculated based on respondents, in accordance with the methodology defined by France Compétences.3D & VFX projects produced by our students
Your passport to the image and entertainment professions
Professionals trained in 3D Animation & VFX at ESMA work in a variety of sectors: animation, VFX, video game cinema, advertising, design, communication, documentaries, music videos, live performance, culture and educational content.
They are promoted to positions of high technical and artistic value, including :
- Experts in images and visual effects, they can hold a variety of positions: 3D Artist, Modeling Artist, Texturing Artist, Surfacing Artist (or Lookdev), Layout Artist, VFX/FX Artist, CFX Artist (including Grooming Artist), Lighting Artist, Rendering Artist, Compositing Artist.
- They may also be involved in artistic and narrative direction as Character Designer, Concept Artist, Art Director or Storyboarder.
- Experts in animation and movement, they work as 3D Animators or 3D Motion Designers.
- Experts in the production pipeline and R&D, they rise to highly technical positions such as Technical Director or Technical Artist.
With experience, they progress to positions of increasing expertise and management: Senior, Lead, Supervisor, Technical Director, Creative Director, Assistant Director, 3D Director, Production Director, or studio founder.
Rates
Find out the tuition fees for the 3D Animation and Special Effects course at ESMA.
Year 1
Prep Entertainment
6 380€
Years 2 to 5
For one year
7 980€
Administrative registration fees
200 € per year
Enrolment fees for English-language courses
(only in the first year)
500€
3 reasons to choose ESMA’s 3D Animation & Special Effects course
A course leading to professional qualifications and certification
The course leads to a state-recognised RNCP level 7 qualification (equivalent to 5 years’ higher education). Designed with industry professionals in mind, it meets the specific needs of animation, VFX and video game studios, so that you’ll be fully operational as soon as you leave the school. In this way, ESMA is positioning itself as a benchmark 3D animation school, training profiles that are operational and in demand as soon as they leave the school.
An animation school focusing on production
Over the course of five years, you will progress through supervised projects, work placements and the collective production of a 3D short film. In this way, you develop solid technical and creative expertise that can be put to direct use in the professional world.
A 3D school of excellence with an international reach
Ranked among the best animation schools in the world, ESMA enjoys international recognition thanks to the quality of its student productions and the influence of its network of partners. A course that opens the doors to the most famous studios.
