8 Best Animation Colleges in India for 2025/2026

Overview

The blog mentions the top eight institutions offering comprehensive animation programs in India in 2025. It lists NID, IIFA, Whistling Woods International, and MIT ADT University, among others. Detailed information is provided on the programs offered, fees, admission process, and placement record for each. Graduates from these institutions are well-equipped for careers in animation, visual effects, and related fields, contributing significantly to the growing animation industry in India.

Table of contents

• Overview
• Best animation colleges in India
• National Institute of Design
• IIFA Multimedia - Indian Institute of Film and Animation
• Whistling Woods International
• Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology
• MIT ADT University
• Symbiosis Institute of Design
• Asian Academy of Film and Technology
• Dr. YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University
• Presenting Some FAQs About Animation Design Courses and Colleges

 

Ever felt fascinated by the oh-so-intriguing animated movies and cartoons that formed a core memory of our childhoods? If you have ever dreamt of becoming an animator or digital artist who brings amazing animations to life, India is the perfect place to be.

But how do you get your journey started as an animator? If you are struggling with doubts alike, here are all your answers.

To kickstart your career as an animator, you first need to enrol yourself in a good institution that offers excellent mentorship and cutting-edge facilities. The global 3D animation market is expected to nearly double by 2028, with the Asia-Pacific region—particularly Japan and India leading the way. This growth in the VFX industry brings a rise in the demand for visual storytelling, paving the way for skilled animators to establish themselves as dynamic professionals. 

So, if you want to make it big in the animation industry or are looking for good colleges to explore creative career options, we have you sorted. Here is everything you need to know about the best animation colleges in India. 

Best animation colleges in India

1. National Institute of Design

When it comes to the best animation colleges in India, it is no surprise that NID tops the list. Recognised as one of the finest educational institutes for animation courses in the country, NID came into being as a culmination of both local and global forces. The design institute has also been declared an ‘Institution of National Importance’ under the National Institute of Design Act, 2014.

Owing to its commitment to excellence ever since its establishment in 1961, NID has served as the launching pad of some of India’s most celebrated designers.

  

Quick Facts

Established: 1961

Location: Paldi, Ahmedabad

Notable Alumni: Lekha Washington, Aditya Vikram Sengupta, Rahul Mishra, and others. 

Courses Offered

NID offers a diverse palette of animation and design courses both at the Bachelors and Masters level. These include programmes over five faculty streams and 20 different design domains.

Programmes	Duration	Annual Fee (Per Annum)
Animation and Film Design (B.Des)	4 Years	₹16.84 Lakhs
Animation and Film Design (M.Des)	30 Months	₹12.22 Lakhs

 

Admission Process

Step 1: Fill out the NID application form 2025. Last Date: 03 December,2025.

Step 2: NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) Exam.

Step 3: NID DAT Mains Exam.

Placement

NID boasts an excellent placement record with big names like Axis Bank, Myntra, Reliance, Tata Motors, and Adobe being some of the most notable recruiters.

2. IIFA Multimedia - Indian Institute of Film and Animation

With almost a decade of nurturing countless talented minds, IIFA offers an emerging Indian platform with a global outlook for innovators and explorers. Lauded with the title of a Leading Design College by the Economic Times, the award-winning institute fuses three well-founded pillars, the individual, the process, and the community, to introduce future-relevant design education to the Indian masses. 

Besides its top-notch educational amenities in animation design course, IIFA’s location in the vibrant capital city of India acts as an added advantage. Being a culmination of governance, business, art and culture, the city offers a lot more to explore for aspiring designers, beyond the confines of college lessons.

Built on these success stories, IIFA’s new specialised course brings together industry-connected mentors and a balance of creativity and technicality in the curriculum to equip students with the expertise to create compelling narratives.

The new specialised course seeks to build on these successes, equipping students with the creative and technical expertise to craft compelling narratives using the latest techniques. With a focus on both entertainment and impact, the programme aims to develop storytellers who can use animation to drive awareness and inspire change. Nanki Ghuman, a recent Communication Design graduate, gained recognition for her award-winning documentary Patangarh Ka Hero from the Mokkho International Film Festival and Chitrashaala: A Short Film Festival on Rural India.

Quick Facts

Established: 1991

Location: Bhuvaneshwari Nagar, Nagdevanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560056

Notable Alumni: Aanya, Rohan, Isha, Aarav and others. 

Courses Offered

IIFA (IIFA Multimedia - Indian Institute of Film and Animation) offers a wide range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and International Programs across design, animation, technology, and management.

B.Sc Courses
B.Sc in Animation & Multimedia	3 Years	₹4,50,000-
B.Sc in Game Designing & Development	3 Years	₹4,50,000-
B.Sc in Interior Designing	3 Years	₹3,15,000-
B.Sc in Fashion Designing	3 Years	₹3,15,000-
B.Sc in Visual Communication	3 Years	₹3,96,000-
B.Sc in Visual Effects & Animation	3 Years	₹4,50,000-
B.Sc in Sound Process Engineering	3 Years	₹4,50,000-
B.Sc in Film Making	3 Years	₹4,50,000-
B.Sc in Hotel Management (AIU)	3 Years	₹1,95,000-
B.Sc in Pharmacy (B.Pharma)	3 Years	₹4,05,000-
Specialized UG Courses
B.Des in Advanced Interior Designing & 3D Visualization	3 Years	₹4,55,000-
B.Des in Advanced Fashion Design & Textile Design (Hons.)	3 Years	₹4,55,000-
BVA in Animation and Game Art	4 Years	₹4,50,000-
BVA in Graphic and Communication Design	4 Years	₹3,28,000-
M.Sc Courses
M.Sc in Animation & VFX (Mysore University)	2 Years	₹3,96,000-
M.Sc in Game Designing, Development & Virtual Reality (Mysore University)	2 Years	₹3,96,000-
M.Sc in Interior Designing & Management (Mysore University)	2 Years	₹3,96,000-
M.Sc in Fashion Designing (Mysore University)	2 Years	₹3,50,000-
MBA Courses
MBA (Asian International University)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
MBA (Online) (AIU)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
MBA in Finance (AIU)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
MBA in Marketing Management (AIU)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
MBA in HR (AIU)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
MBA in Digital & E-Commerce (AIU)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
MBA in Business Analytics (AIU)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
MBA in IT (Information Technology) (AIU)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
MBA in Hospital & Healthcare Management (AIU)	2 Years	₹2,50,000-
Diploma Courses
Diploma in Animation & Multimedia	16 Months	₹1,50,000-
Diploma in Interior Designing	1 Year	₹1,10,000-
Diploma in Architecture	1 Year	₹1,10,000-
Diploma in Visual Effects (VFX)	16 Months	₹1,50,000-
Diploma in Fashion Designing	1 Year	₹1,10,000-
Diploma in Visual Communication	1 Year	₹1,10,000-
Diploma in Digital Photography	6 Months	₹80,000-
Diploma in Digital Cinematography	6 Months	₹80,000-
Diploma in Game Designing	16 Months	₹1,80,000-
Diploma in Sound Engineering	1 Year	₹1,50,000-
Diploma in UI/UX Designing	1 Year	₹1,00,000-
Diploma in Graphic & Web Designing	1 Year	₹1,10,000-
Diploma in Animation & VFX	16 Months	₹1,60,000-
Advanced Diploma Courses
Advanced Diploma in Animation	2 Years	₹2,20,000-
Advanced Diploma in Interior Design	2 Years	₹2,20,000-
Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design	2 Years	₹2,20,000-
Advanced Diploma in Game Design	2 Years	₹2,20,000-
IIFA International Programs
IIFA International Program in Animation	26 Months	₹3,00,000-
IIFA International Program in Visual Effects	26 Months	₹3,00,000-
IIFA International Program in Game Design	26 Months	₹3,50,000-
Other UG Courses
BCA	3 Years	₹1,35,000-
BBA	3 Years	₹1,20,000-
B.Com	3 Years	₹90,000-
B.Tech	3 Years	₹3,00,000-
B.LiSc - Bachelor in Library Science (AIU)	3 Years	₹2,88,000-

 

Admission Process

Step 1: Registration at IIFA’s online application portal. Last date to fill out the application: 20 December, 2025.

Step 2: Design Aptitude Test (iDAT) for entrance screening.

Step 3: Attend a studio simulation round post the theory test.

Step 4: Check IIFA Entrance Exam Result.

Placement

With a stronghold in the animation industry, IIFA helps its students secure some of the best job opportunities post their education. Some of the top recruiters include Essential Five, Clay Design Strategy, NH1 Design, Mirra India and Purple Monkey.

Recently, one of the students from IIFA’s Animation Course, Aanya bagged the Animation Xpress ANN Award for his film, “The Day My Dad Arrives.”

3. Whistling Woods International

Nestled in the prominent Filmcity of Mumbai, Whistling Woods International is a name synonymous with success in the education fraternity. Ever since its establishment in 2006, the premier institute has offered a balanced blend of theoretical and practical knowledge that helps students explore their creative and business aspirations in depth. From animation and film design to advertising and journalism, WWI offers a plethora of undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programmes across various domains. 

Founded by the famous filmmaker Subash Ghai, Whistling Woods International was awarded the Best Institute for Creative and Performing Arts in India by the FICCI in 2019.

Quick Facts

Established: 2006

Location: Goregaon, Mumbai

Notable Alumni: Aahana Kumra, Akash Dhar, Mayank Gandhi, and others.

Courses Offered

WWI’s School of Animation was established with the aspiration of training artists in animation filmmaking. Within its intensive four year animation and design courses, students get to fuse their creative storytelling with the technical details of motion graphics. 

Programmes	Duration	Annual Fee (Per Annum)
B.Des in Animation	4 Years	₹19.5 Lakhs

 

Admission Process

Step 1: Apply through the Online Application Process.

Step 2: Media and Entertainment Common Aptitude Test (MECAT).

Step 3: Creative Aptitude Test (CAT).

Step 4: Statement of Purpose and Personal Interview for shortlisted candidates.

Placement

Excellent educational facilities and concrete industry connections make Whistling Woods International one of the most renowned and successful animation colleges in India. Students from the animation course have contributed their talents to blockbuster films like Animal, Pathan, Kalki and many more.

4. Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology

With over two decades of creative impact-making, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology has infused life into the dreams of various celebrated creative professionals. The institute’s multi-dimensional approach to capability development is what puts it ahead of the curve in the fraternity, especially for animation and film design courses.

The educational institute caters to a wide spectrum of capabilities through its academic fabric, including well-developed programs in the areas of law, media art, graphic design and animation, among many others.

Quick Facts

Established: 1996

Location: Yelahanka, Bengaluru

Notable Alumni: Satya Nadella, Rajeev Suri, Vikas Khanna, and others.

Courses Offered

The institute’s animation programmes combine the creative capabilities of a filmmaker, artist, designer, and communicator within the horizons of a single animation design course. From master’s to diploma, this top animation institute provides multiple courses to choose from, facilitating the utmost flexibility for animation aspirants.

Programmes	Duration	Annual Fee (Per Annum)
Animation (MA)	2 Years	₹2.91 Lakhs
Animation (B.Voc)	3 Years	₹2.78 Lakhs
Animation (PG Diploma)	1 Year	₹1.35 Lakhs

 

Admission Process

Step 1: Fill out the online SMEAT 2025 application form. Opens in: January 2025.

Step 2: SMEAT 2025 Exam: First week of April 2025.

Step 3: Portfolio Review and Counseling.

Placement

A degree or certification from this institute can earn you placements with some well-known Indian companies and young yet dynamic start-ups. The animation college also hosts an annual open house event for students to learn more and engage with potential career opportunities in their chosen field of interest.

5. MIT ADT University

Acclaimed as a leading Government-recognised Private University within the renowned MIT Group of Institutions, MIT ADT University is a multidisciplinary educational institution. The institute is equipped with world-class amenities with the intent of combining international impact with global employability, making it one of the best animation colleges in India. 

Besides academic excellence, the university also ensures that its students work towards personality development and take their professional journey to the next level through a holistic transformation. 

Quick Facts

Established: 2015

Location: Loni Kalbhor, Pune

Notable Alumni: Pratham Gupta, Lorin Selby, Sumedh Mudgalkar, and others. 

Courses Offered

MIT ADT University entails a diverse palette of creative courses for young, talented minds to choose from. From graphic design and digital sculpting to filmmaking and screenplay writing, the institute’s educational prowess across various domains makes it a great option for animation design in India. 

Programmes	Duration	Annual Fee (Per Annum)
B.Des in Animation Design	4 Years	₹17.15 Lakhs
M.Des in Animation Design	2 Years	₹8.65 Lakhs

 

Admission Process

Step 1: Fill out the online application form. Last date: 28 February, 2025.

Step 2: MITID-DAT for entrance screening: 06 April 2025.

Step 3: Studio test and personal interview.

Placement

MIT ADT’s top list of recruiters includes names like Xperi, Oracle, Incedo, Capgemini, and AON. The institute also has a Central Corporate Relations, Training, and Placement Cell which is responsible for imparting employment enhancement training to students and helping them bridge the gap between their skills and their career aspirations.

6. Symbiosis Institute of Design

Symbiosis has been a name synonymous with world-class education across various domains for over 5 decades now. The institute hosts almost 40,000 Indian and international students on the campus, thus promoting international education through quality education.

Owing to its commitment to excellence across a spectrum of programmes including management, law, engineering, and a lot more, the institute counts among the best animation colleges in the country. The National Institute Ranking Framework has recognised Symbiosis as one of the top 50 universities in India.

Quick Facts

Established: 2004

Location: Viman Nagar, Pune

Notable Alumni: Shashank Nimkar, Suhani Arora, Saurabh Dixit, and others. 

Courses Offered

Symbiosis offers a holistic animation programme that promotes the understanding of the intricacies of animation design. Through detailed drawings and plausible movement, the course intends at helping students develop an intuitive sense of animation and film design that can help them create top-notch traditionally animated films.

Programmes	Duration	Annual Fee (Per Annum)
Animation (B.Des)	4 Years	₹18.7 Lakhs

 

Admission Process

Step 1: Fill out the online application form, SEED 2025. Opened on: 16 Dec, 2025.

Step 2: SEED Entrance Exam: 12 January, 2025.

Step 3: Portfolio review and personal interaction.

Placement

Some of the best placements secured by the students of Symbiosis were conducted by recruiters like Whirlpool, Cognizant, Infosys, Zouk, and Capgemini. Students have also been provided great work opportunities by small and medium scale ventures like Elephant Design, Fitch Design, and Leaf Design. 

7. Asian Academy of Film and Technology

Acclaimed as one of the top institutes imparting education in the media and communication fraternity, AAFT has been the name behind the success of countless creative professionals for over 30 years now.

Accredited by the Ministry of Education, the institute’s core advisory council includes prominent names like Anil Kapoor and Boney Kapoor, making it a popular option among aspiring design professionals. Besides the conventional undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses, the college also entails multiple interesting short-term courses within different categories.  

Quick Facts

Established: 1993

Location: Film City, Sector 16A, Noida

Notable Alumni: Arjun Kapoor, Kinshuk Mahajan, Luv Ranjan, and others. 

Courses Offered

AAFT’s animation courses include diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes. The admission into these courses is subject to both the eligibility criteria and merit in entrance exams conducted by the institute.`

Programmes	Duration	Annual Fee (Per Annum)
Diploma in Animation and VFX	1 Years	₹1.65 Lakhs
B.Sc in Animation and Visual Effects	3 Years	₹4.38 Lakhs
M.Sc in Animation and Visual Effects	2 Years	₹3.32 Lakhs

 

Admission Process

Step 1: Fill out the application form, online or offline. Pay the registration fee.

Step 2: AAFT GEE Exam. Dates are yet to be announced.

Step 3: Personal Interview.

Step 4: Admission Confirmation.

Step 5: Document Submission.

Placement

AAFT’s Corporate Interactive Division is responsible to help students avail of the best career opportunities that are at par with their skillset. Major recruiters include Zee News, Aaj Tak, Dharma Productions, Zara, and T-Series.

8. Dr. YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University

Established with the aim of imparting state-of-the-art education within Andhra Pradesh, the University intends at enriching the life of the state’s villages, towns, and cities. Even though the institute came into being in 2020, it is growing at a considerable rate, serving students both at the national and international levels.

With ten versatile departments under its wing, Dr. YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs within two specialised bodies. These are the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) and the College of Fine Arts (CFA).

Quick Facts

Established: 2020

Location: Rayalapanthulapalle, Andhra Pradesh

Notable Alumni: N/A

Courses Offered

With an annual course intake of sixty, the University’s BFA Animation programme enables students to explore animation in fusion with VFX and filmmaking. Basic drawing and design skills are the foundational requirements for the animation course. 

Programmes	Duration	Annual Fee (Per Annum)
BFA in Animation	4 Years	₹1.48 Lakhs

 

Admission Process

Step 1: Fill out the application form, online or offline. 

Step 2: ADCET Entrance Exam.

Placement

Since Dr. YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University is acclaimed as one of the best animation colleges in India, students graduating from the institute are able to secure good job positions in leading ventures of the industry. Some of these include Green Gold Animation, MPC, Technicolor, Firefly Creative Studio, and Makuta VFX.

Presenting Some FAQs About Animation Design Courses and Colleges

1. What is an animation course all about?

An animation course teaches students and artists how to channel visual techniques to develop creative visual motion.

2. What is the difference between graphic design and animation?

The basic difference between graphic design and animation is that graphic design focuses on creating static visuals while animation is all about developing interesting visuals in motion. 

3. How can one pursue animation courses after 12th?

To pursue an animation course after 12th, you can first check the eligibility criteria of the institute you want to opt for, followed by an entrance exam for the same.

4. Is animation a good career in India?

Since the animation fraternity’s rapid growth creates a demand of almost 30,000 professionals annually and the industry offers a lucrative salary for animators, animation is a good career in India.

5. Which is better animation or VFX?

Animation forms the foundation of developing intriguing visuals in motion while VFX forms the added layer that makes these visuals more stunning and appealing. Thus, the choice between the two is subjective to an individual’s personal area of interest.

Explore More About Animation Film Design

- Did you enjoy this read? Author Saili Sawant has also written another insightful piece on immersive design.

- Want a glimpse of what would life be like as an aspiring animator at IIFA? Here’s what it is going to look like.

- Struggling to pick the right animation software to get your animation journey started? Dive into this video to get your doubts resolved.

- Take a look at this awe-inspiring short film on gender equality curated by the communication students at IIFA.