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Program Information

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Digital Animation

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DIPLOMA

  • School of Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism
  • Duration: Two Years


 APPLY NOW 

LOCATION/DELIVERY MODES & DATES
Show Legend Definitions
Hide
Delivery Legend:
C
On Campus
close
On Campus: All courses in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location. Some courses may have online elements.
 | 
B
Blended
close
Blended: Some courses, or parts of courses, in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location, while other courses, or parts of courses, will be delivered online or virtually to students at another location.
 | 
OA
Online - Asynchronous
close
Online - Asynchronous: Delivered fully online with no scheduled classes, and allows students to learn on their own schedule, in a flexible environment, within a certain time frame.
 | 
OS
Online - Synchronous
close
Online Synchronous: Delivered fully online with live, scheduled videoconference classes. The instructor and the students in the course engage with the course content and each other at the same time, from different locations.
Bay St. George - On Campus delivery - September 2025

  • Overview
  • Admission Requirements
  • Courses
  • Careers & Pathways
  • Tuition & Fees

Overview

Show me more about...PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS | DID YOU KNOW? | OBJECTIVES | REFERENCES

LOCATION/DELIVERY MODES & START DATES
Show Legend Definitions
Hide
Delivery Legend:
C
On Campus
close
On Campus: All courses in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location. Some courses may have online elements.
 | 
B
Blended
close
Blended: Some courses, or parts of courses, in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location, while other courses, or parts of courses, will be delivered online or virtually to students at another location.
 | 
OA
Online - Asynchronous
close
Online - Asynchronous: Delivered fully online with no scheduled classes, and allows students to learn on their own schedule, in a flexible environment, within a certain time frame.
 | 
OS
Online - Synchronous
close
Online Synchronous: Delivered fully online with live, scheduled videoconference classes. The instructor and the students in the course engage with the course content and each other at the same time, from different locations.
Bay St. George - On Campus delivery - September 2025

Set your career in motion. 
 
Animation brings imagination to life. More than toy stories for children, digital animation has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. Technological advancements and the wide use of animated videos in manufacturing, medical, engineering, entertainment, and other sectors are driving this rapidly expanding market. That means animators are in high demand. 
 
Canada is recognized as a world leader in animation, video game development, and visual effects. According to the Canada Media Fund, digital media is a $22 billion industry in Canada that supports more than 120,000 creative jobs, making Canada one of the foremost investment destinations for global digital media companies. 
 
CNA’s Digital Animation program provides a pathway to success in this exciting industry. With design fundamentals, animation software tools and production techniques, you’ll learn to perform your best individually and collaboratively, creating animated films and video productions from concept to completion. 
 
Study with us and build a professional creative portfolio that will get you a job you love.
 
If you can imagine it, you can create it. And we can help.  
 
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
  • Learn the fundamentals of drawing, design, digital graphics, and digital painting
  • Build worlds through story development, storyboarding, and acting
  • Create hand-drawn and rigged 2D animation
  • Explore 3D modelling, texturing, rigging, and animation
  • Delve into technical aspects including lighting, rendering, and post-processing
  • Work as part of a team to develop and create animated capstone projects
  • Create a final demo reel and portfolio to accompany your professional resume
DID YOU KNOW?
  • Canadian-based companies have created animation and effects for many box-office hits and award-nominated feature films such as Marmaduke (2022), Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015), The Adams Family (2019), and popular television series such as Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series, and DC Superhero Girls.
  • The 30 top-grossing films of all time featured high-end visual effects or computer-generated animation.1
  • Digital animation professionals find work at advertising agencies and video game companies, with movies and television, in digital marketing and more.
  • Graduates have showcased their work internationally at events such as the Nickel Film Festival in NL; the National Film Festival for Talented Youth in Seattle, Washington; the Kerry International Film Festival in Ireland; the Upstate NY Horror Film Festival; and the TOFUZI International Festival of Animated Arts in Georgia, among many others.
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
  1. Communicate a knowledge of animation tools, techniques, and concepts through each stage of production
  2. Work collaboratively in a team environment on an animation production
  3. Develop concepts for characters, environments, and props for use in an animation production
  4. Design appropriate previsualizations using art and cinematography
  5. Apply the production process to create assets for 2D and 3D animation
  6. Prepare 2D and 3D assets for rigged animation
  7. Produce realistic and stylized 2D and 3D animations
  8. Create natural phenomena with the use of 3D simulations and effects
  9. Composite animation, simulations, and effects through the post-production process
  10. Integrate dialogue, sound effects, and music through the post-production process
  11. Create materials to promote an animation project
  12. Create a professional portfolio that demonstrates skills and knowledge
REFERENCES
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_films
 

Admission Requirements


1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in eight level 3000 credits or equivalent
2. College Transition (prior to 2024, students would have completed Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition)
College Transition Certificate
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.

International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into our regular programs; for more information regarding the College’s English language proficiency requirements please refer to AC-102-PR, Admission Procedures, Section 5.2 English Proficiency.
 
Note:  Basic computer skills along with an ability to draw are important and considered definite assets for success in this program.

Courses


CODE TITLE Hrs/wk
Semester 1 Fall Cr Le La
MM1400
close
2D Digital Graphics 3 2 2
MM1115
close
3D Animation I 3 2 2
MM1120
close
Pre-Production I 3 2 2
MM1125
close
3D Modelling 3 2 2
MM1130
close
Storytelling in Animation I 3 3 0
VA1131
close
Drawing Fundamentals 3 3 0
MM1135
close
2D Animation I 3 2 2
         
Semester 2 Winter Cr Le La
MM1210
close
3D Animation II 4 3 2
MM1215
close
Digital Audio and Video 4 3 2
MM2565
close
Texture and Paint I 3 2 2
MM1220
close
2D Animation II 3 2 2
VA1610
close
Sculpture I 3 2 2
VA2171
close
Life Drawing 3 2 2
         
Semester 3 Intersession Cr Le La
MM2765
close
Animation Project I 4 1 10
         
Semester 4 Fall Cr Le La
CM1450
close
Writing Fundamentals 3 3 0
MM2110
close
2D Animation III 3 2 2
MM2115
close
3D Animation III 3 2 2
MM2120
close
Pre-Production II 4 3 2
VA2610
close
Sculpture II 2 1 2
MM2125
close
Storytelling in Animation II 3 3 0
MM2570
close
Texture and Paint II 3 3 0
         
Semester 5 Winter Cr Le La
CM2200
close
Oral Communications 2 2 0
MM2810
close
3D Post-Production 4 3 2
MM2850
close
Digital Compositing 4 3 2
MM2215
close
3D Character Rigging 3 2 2
MM2220
close
Arts Project Management 3 2 2
MM2255
close
Studio Practice 2 1 3
         
Semester 6 Intersession Cr Le La
MM2900
close
Portfolio Development 2 1 2
MM3765
close
Animation Project II 3 1 5
VA3555
close
Screening & Peer Critique 2 1 2

Careers & Pathways


CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared for employment in a variety of roles including, but not limited to:
  • 2D/3D Animator
  • 2D/3D Artist
  • 2D/3D Environment Artist
  • 2D/3D Lighting Artist
  • 2D/3D Rigging Artist
  • 3D Modeler
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Texture Artist
  • Background Artist
  • Layout Artist



Tuition & Fees


Canadian Students

The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance. It is required in order to hold your seat in the program.

Base Fees

Mandatory Fees

  • Application Fee - $30.00 per program (non-refundable) | Application Page
    Application fees must be paid for each application to the College.
    Application fees are only refundable if the program does not go ahead, and the applicant does not want to transfer the application to another program.
  • Confirmation Fee - $103.00 per program annually (non-refundable)
    Student must pay a non-refundable fee on confirmation of acceptance to each program at the College. The fee covers registration and student association fees and is paid annually for the duration of the program.
  • Academic Audit Fee (once per program) - $50.00
  • Technology Fee (per semester) - $83.00
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Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regular Term (15-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $1,197.00

Intersession (up to 7-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $572.00
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Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Tuition Fee (per course) - $320.00

Regulations

Regulations Governing Payment of Fees & Charges

  1. All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term.  The dates are listed in the Academic Calendar on page. Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of Student Aid form on the first day of classes. These students are permitted to have fees outstanding until receipt of the Student Aid, at which time these students must pay their accounts in full.
  2. Students who have not paid all fees within the time limits given in these regulations may have their registration cancelled by the College.
  3. Students with outstanding accounts will be ineligible for a subsequent term, will not be awarded a diploma or certificate, access to register, and will not be issued a certificate of standing (transcript), grade report, or access to on-line grades until the outstanding account has been paid in full. It is the student’s responsibility to address outstanding balances and to work with their respective campus student services office on inquiries related to their account balance.
  4. Should the College cancel a program, all tuition and fees paid will be refunded.
  5. Out of sequence students registering or withdrawing within a term will pay a prorated tuition and equipment and materials fee per week.
  6. Students taking courses above their normal term load (requires application to extend normal course load per semester) will pay tuition for each additional course taken.
  7. Senior Citizens, 60 years and older, are required to pay 50% of confirmation fee and tuition.
  8. Students wishing to audit a course will pay 50% of the tuition and 100% of the technology fees (if applicable).

 

International Students

A fee, which is applied toward program tuition and compulsory fees and includes a deposit fee, is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance.

Base Fees

Mandatory Fees

  • Application Fee - $100.00 per program (non-refundable) | Application Page
    Applicants must pay a non-refundable fee for each application to the College.
  • The following fees are due within two (2) weeks of date of Letter of of acceptance to each program at the college:
    • Confirmation Fee - $103.00 per program annually (non-refundable)
      Student must pay this non-refundable fee on confirmation of acceptance to each program at the College. The fee covers registration and student association fees and is paid annually for the duration of the program.
    • First Semester Tuition- which includes the $1500 Deposit Fee
      Deposit fee - $1500 non-refundable, non-transferable fee.
  • Academic Audit Fee (once per program) - $50.00
  • Technology Fee (per semester) - $83.00
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Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regular Term (15-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $4,581.00

Intersession (up to 7-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $2,291.00
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Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Tuition Fee (per course) - $1,046.00
Exceptions:
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (per week) - $354.00
  • Commercial Driver (per week) - $354.00
  • All other Trade programs (per week) - $313.00

Estimated Program Costs

The document below is meant to highlight estimated program costs for the intake of 2024-2025. The estimates apply only to International Student. All costs shown are subject to change without notice.

Estimated Program Costs for International Students (2024-2025) 


Making Payments

Application fee:
If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card when completing and submitting your application to College of the North Atlantic.

For all other tuition payments:
College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition. With PayMyTuition, you can pay your tuition payments from any bank, in any country in any currency at better than bank exchange rates. PayMyTuition is fast, simple, and cost effective.
Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have being assigned a CNA student number.
PayMyTuition Logo


Regulations

Regulations Governing Payment of Fees & Charges

  1. All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term.  The dates are listed in the Academic Calendar on page. Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of Student Aid form on the first day of classes. These students are permitted to have fees outstanding until receipt of the Student Aid, at which time these students must pay their accounts in full.
  2. Students who have not paid all fees within the time limits given in these regulations may have their registration cancelled by the College.
  3. Students with outstanding accounts will be ineligible for a subsequent term, will not be awarded a diploma or certificate, access to register, and will not be issued a certificate of standing (transcript), grade report, or access to on-line grades until the outstanding account has been paid in full. It is the student’s responsibility to address outstanding balances and to work with their respective campus student services office on inquiries related to their account balance.
  4. Should the College cancel a program, all tuition and fees paid will be refunded.
  5. Out of sequence students registering or withdrawing within a term will pay a prorated tuition and equipment and materials fee per week.
  6. Students taking courses above their normal term load (requires application to extend normal course load per semester) will pay tuition for each additional course taken.
  7. Senior Citizens, 60 years and older, are required to pay 50% of confirmation fee and tuition.
  8. Students wishing to audit a course will pay 50% of the tuition and 100% of the technology fees (if applicable).



 APPLY NOW 
College of the North Atlantic reserves the right to cancel or alter the delivery date and location of any program offering and delivery method, and will do so in a timely manner in order to minimize the impact on applicants.
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