Bachelor of Animation

Principles of storytelling for film and animation

Learn the foundations of storytelling for film and animation while working alongside students from other creative disciplines, reflecting real-world studio collaboration.

Studio-based life drawing classes

Sharpen your pencil for our studio-based life drawing classes and discover how critique and reflection can really enhance your work.

Visual communication design

You’ll gain a grounding in the principles of visual communication design and we’ll step back in time to see the impact that cultural, historical and social influences, not to mention technology, have had on the animation industry.

2D and 3D animation and modelling

Develop your 2D and 3D animation skills while exploring contemporary production workflows, motion, performance, AI-enabled technologies, and emerging creative tools. Then you’ll turn your 2D images into 3D models and start to develop your own 3D art assets and animations.

Studio Courses

Project-based Learning prepares students for industry through collaborative multi-disciplinary projects. Students explore specialist skills, working both collaboratively and individually, on complex creative projects and using industry pipelines, tools and workflows. Authentic projects help set and develop professional standards and expectations and prepare students for industry. Working in specialist roles, you can dip your toes into advanced 3D graphics practices and visual effects techniques, explore advanced character animation, develop an interactive experience, or learn about compositing digital imagery with live-action footage.

Advanced drawing

Hone your advanced drawing skills in our life drawing studio sessions, and learn how to merge your artistic and animation skills with your creativity, ideation and transdisciplinary thinking.

Professional practices

Build up your professional, academic, investigative and analytic skills, and boost your understanding of important stuff like professional practice, ethics and project management. Plus study cinematic production, nailing all touchpoints of the pipeline from pre-production to production and post-production.

Specialisation

Specialise in Story and Character, World-Building and Visual Effects, or Interactive Media and Games. Deepen your expertise through collaborative studio projects, industry-informed workflows, and advanced portfolio development.

Final Capstone project

Develop your creative and practical expertise and specialised technical skillsets as part of a team Capstone Project. Delve deeper into your own chosen field of interest through research and development for your individual Research Project.

Investigative project

The final project for the year is the investigative project, which can take the form of a seminar or masterclass. You’ll present the findings of an investigation into a topic of personal interest within your major.

You may choose to continue studying by opting for an Honours year. The Honours programme is one year and provides an opportunity for students to produce a substantial piece of work focused on issues within their major field of study, through established research methods, to a high academic standard which would enable progression to a master level qualification or higher, and as preparation for the workforce. Discuss this with your Tutor at the beginning of Year Three.

Throughout the programme, you'll receive regular guidance and support, including:

Supervisor Meetings (1 hour per week)

Research and Practical Support Meetings (1 hour per week)

Other activities by arrangement with your supervision team

Self-directed learning expectations are regularly reviewed at supervision meetings

You’ll be set-up with communication channels and need to check regularly for relevant updates including meeting times and course activities.

Project Context and Method, 30 credits

Semester 1: 4 hours per week

Project Context and Method begins and finishes at the end of Semester 1. This course aims to support the Project Thesis by providing a critical framework and focus for the investigation and for students to deepen knowledge of research methodologies specific to their field of creative practice in order to identify and apply research method/s most suitable to their Project Thesis.

Project Thesis, 90 credits

Semester 1: 9 hours per week

Semester 2: 12 hours per week

Project Thesis begins in Semester 1 and finishes at the end of Semester 2. This course aims to provide an opportunity for students to produce a substantial piece of work focused on issues within their major field of study, through established research methods, to a high academic standard which would enable progression to a master level qualification or higher, and as preparation for the workforce. The course is designed to enable self‐direction and purpose for student work and to establish in students the confidence and skills that they will need as graduates of the degree to pursue and maintain a successful career in the field of professional animation production, or in academia.

Your final project is your first industry credit. A real piece of work you can show employers, not just an assignment for a grade

Small classes, real connection. At Yoobee you're known by name and supported by dedicated tutors, not lost in a lecture hall of hundreds

Learn with AI and other current tools. Stay ahead with the tools and technologies shaping the creative industries right now

Choose your specialism. Tailor your degree across Story and Character or World-Building and Visual Effects or Interactive Media and Games to build the exact skillset you want

Work with real industry partners. Hands-on briefs and connections that put you in front of the industry before you graduate

Software:

ToonBoom Harmony, Autodesk Maya, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Animate, Autodesk Mudbox, Zbrush, Substance Painter, Unreal, Unity, XNormal, Audacity

Equipment:

DSLR cameras, sound recording equipment (for audio production), video production room with green screen and lighting, Tracing Light Trays, 3D printer, Scanning equipment, Drawing Easels, Skeleton, Line Tester, Animation table, Digital drawing tablet and stylus, Interactive VR headsets, Observational drawing boards, Sculpting Materials, and other consumables, e.g., newsprint, charcoal, sculpting wire, foil, sculpting clay, wood blocks, cardboard.

Domestic students

• Tuition Fees:

• First Year: $12,720.28 – First Year Free* for a limited time

• Second Year: $12,718.03

• Third Year: $12,534.88

• Optional Honours Year: $11,705.66

*Fees are subject to change.

• Student Services Levy: $350 per year

• Course Related Costs**: $361 per year

* Apply for the Creative Pathfinder Scholarship to study your first year free. (Course related costs not included)

**Course Related Cost  -  Covers software licensing for student use on campus for the period of 1 year. This amount can be covered by StudyLink's courses related cost loan.

International students

• Tuition Fees: $27,300/year (NZD)

  • Total: $81,900

  • Honours Total: $109,200

• Resource Fee: $2,000 per year (NZD)

• Enrolment Fee: $500 (NZD)

For more information, click here to download the international course costs PDF.

Please note fees are subject to change.

Domestic students

General Admission

NCEA Level 3 with credits in a relevant subject (art, design or technology), or an appropriate qualification from an overseas secondary school or tertiary institution deemed sufficient for admission into a bachelor's programme, or an equivalent qualification.

OR

Successful completion of Yoobee’s Diploma in Animation Level 5.

Discretionary Admission is available for applicants between 16-20yrs with a significant level of achievement in Year 12 or successful completion of a relevant foundation programme or tertiary qualification, along with a portfolio or industry experience.

Special Admission is available to applicants who are over 20yrs, who are New Zealand residents or permanent residents and have relevant experience and skills may apply for special admission. The application must be supported by a professional portfolio AND/OR documented industry experience.

All portfolios should show significant art and design skills and experience (applicants may be asked to attend an interview to ascertain their suitability for admission in some cases).

International students must be at least 18 years old.

Applications that speak English as a second language must have, within the preceding two years, achieved or surpassed at least one of the following English proficiency outcomes:

• IELTS (Academic) Test: Score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5

• TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT): Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)

• TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT): Score of 79, or higher (with a writing score of 18)

• University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations: FCE or CAE with a score of 52, or higher

• NZCEL: Level 4, with the Academic endorsement

The Diploma in Animation (Level 5) builds strong foundation skills in Animation. The Bachelor of Animation (Level 6) goes further: you choose a major, work in a team on a Capstone Project, and complete your own research project. The diploma serves as an entry route to the bachelors, since completing our Diploma in Animation (Level 5) meets the degree’s admission requirement.

You can study this degree at our Auckland City Road, Wellington and Christchurch campuses. All three take students from 15 February 2027. The degree is studio-based throughout, so you’ll work on campus with the equipment and the tutors right with you.

You can major in Story and Character, World-Building and Visual Effects or Interactive Media and Games. The programme’s collaborative studio projects and industry-informed workflows will let you deepen your specialisation and broaden your portfolio. Your major also shapes how you spend your final year, since you’ll complete both your team Capstone Project and your individual research project within your chosen field.

Yes. You’ll develop your 2D animation skills first, then turn your 2D images into 3D models and start producing your own 3D art assets and animations. Contemporary production workflows, motion, performance and AI-enabled technologies are all part of that work. Studio courses then let you explore advanced 3D graphics practice and visual effects techniques, including compositing digital imagery with live-action footage.

You’ll work in ToonBoom Harmony, Autodesk Maya, Autodesk Mudbox, ZBrush and Substance Painter for animation and modelling, plus Unreal and Unity for interactive work. The Adobe suite covers Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition and Animate, with Audacity and XNormal rounding out the toolkit. Our equipment includes DSLR cameras, a video production room with green screen and lighting, a 3D printer, digital drawing tablets and VR headsets.

The degree develops skills relevant to animation, visual effects, interactive media, games and digital content creation. You’ll complete a final project you can include in your portfolio and work on briefs informed by industry practice. Career opportunities will depend on your specialisation, portfolio and experience. Graduates can continue into an Honours year where they’ll produce a substantial piece of work in their major field.

No. You’ll need NCEA Level 3 with credits in a relevant subject like art, design or technology, or completion of our Diploma in Animation (Level 5). Discretionary admission is available to applicants aged 16 to 20 with significant achievement in Year 12, along with a portfolio or industry experience. Applicants over 20 can apply through special admission with a professional portfolio or documented industry experience.

Yes. International applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants whose first language is not English need one of several proficiency outcomes achieved within the past two years, including IELTS Academic at 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5, TOEFL IBT at 79 or higher with a writing score of 18 or NZCEL Level 4 with the academic endorsement.