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Digital Animation

Canadian Students
International Students

Program Details

  • Digital Animation

  • Program Code: 8A1
  • Credential: Diploma
  • Duration: Two Years
  • School of Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism
  • Area: Applied Arts
  • Domestic Applications: OPEN
  • International Applications: OPEN
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Program Overview

Print Overview
Location/Delivery Modes & Dates
  • C
    Bay St. George - On Campus - September 2026

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, medicine, 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 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023), The Garfield Movie (2024), and popular television series such as Sonic Prime and The Snoopy Show.
  • The 30 top-grossing films of all time featured high-end visual effects or computer-generated animation.1
  • Animation skills open doors to a wide range of roles, including character animation, layout, storyboarding, motion graphics, and game art, across entertainment, advertising, and interactive media.
  • 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
 
ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
  • Graduates of CNA's Digital Animation program who have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00, earned at least a C- or 1.70 grade point in each course used for transfer, and met all other Red Deer Polytechnic admission requirements will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Animation and Visual Effects program at Red Deer Polytechnic. Students admitted under this agreement will receive 60 credits of block transfer recognition, equivalent to Years 1 and 2 of the degree. Students must complete the remaining 60 credits at Red Deer Polytechnic and meet all applicable academic, residency, and graduation requirements.

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

COURSES

CODE TITLE Hrs/wk
Semester 1 Fall Cr Le La
MM1400 2D Digital Graphics 3 2 2
MM1115 3D Animation I 3 2 2
MM1121 Pre-Production I 3 2 2
MM1125 3D Modelling 3 2 2
MM1130 Storytelling in Animation I 3 3 0
VA1131 Drawing Fundamentals 3 3 0
MM1135 2D Animation I 3 2 2
         
Semester 2 Winter Cr Le La
MM1210 3D Animation II 4 3 2
MM1215 Digital Audio and Video 4 3 2
MM2566 Texture and Paint I 3 2 2
MM1220 2D Animation II 3 2 2
VA1611 Sculpture I 3 2 2
VA2171 Life Drawing 3 2 2
         
Semester 3 Intersession Cr Le La
MM2765 Animation Project I 4 1 10
         
Semester 4 Fall Cr Le La
CM1450 Writing Fundamentals 3 3 0
MM2110 2D Animation III 3 2 2
MM2115 3D Animation III 3 2 2
MM2121 Pre-Production II 4 3 2
VA2610 Sculpture II 2 1 2
MM2125 Storytelling in Animation II 3 3 0
MM2570 Texture and Paint II 3 3 0
         
Semester 5 Winter Cr Le La
CM2200 Oral Communications 2 2 0
MM2810 3D Post-Production 4 3 2
MM2850 Digital Compositing 4 3 2
MM2215 3D Character Rigging 3 2 2
MM2225 Animation Project Management 3 2 2
MM2255 Studio Practice 2 1 3
         
Semester 6 Intersession Cr Le La
MM2900 Portfolio Development 2 1 2
MM3765 Animation Project II 3 1 5
VA3555 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

FURTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Yorkville University
Graduates of the Digital Animation program will receive a block transfer of credits towards Yorkville University’s Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA) degree program. This block transfer recognizes College of the North Atlantic’s Digital Animation diploma as fulfilling the studio portion of the BCA. Applicants must have graduated with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 to be eligible for the block transfer.

Red Deer Polytechnic
Graduates of CNA’s Digital Animation program who have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00, earned at least a C- or 1.70 grade point in each course used for transfer, and met all other Red Deer Polytechnic admission requirements will be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Animation and Visual Effects program at Red Deer Polytechnic. Students admitted under this agreement will receive 60 credits of block transfer recognition, equivalent to Years 1 and 2 of the degree. Students must complete the remaining 60 credits at Red Deer Polytechnic and meet all applicable academic, residency, and graduation requirements.

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.
Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $30.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

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 - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
School Regular Term
(15 weeks)		 Intersession
(up to 7 weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism $1,197.00 (per semester) $572.00 (per semester)
Part-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
Program Type Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs $320.00 (per course)
Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

  • Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
  • Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
  • Students with outstanding balances are:
    • Ineligible for future term registration
    • Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
    • Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes
  • If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
  • Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
  • Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
  • Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
  • Students auditing a course must pay:
    • 50% of tuition
    • 100% of any applicable technology fees

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.
Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $100.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Deposit Fee - $1,500.00 (Included in First Semester Tuition)

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit required to secure your seat. Included in first semester tuition.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees
School Regular Term
(15 weeks)		 Intersession
(up to 7 weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism $4,581.00 (per semester) $2,291.00 (per semester)
Part-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
Program Type Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs $1,046.00 (per course)
Estimated Program Costs

The document below provides a summary of estimated program costs for international students applying to the 2026–2027 academic year. Please note that all amounts are approximate and subject to change without notice. These costs apply only to international applicants.

Download Estimated Program Costs (PDF)

Making Payments

Application Fee

If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card during the submission of your application to College of the North Atlantic.

Tuition and Other Payments

College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for all international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition.

  • Payments can be made from any bank, in any country, and in any currency.
  • Offers better than bank exchange rates.
  • Fast, secure, and cost-effective.
Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have been assigned a CNA student number.

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

  • Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
  • Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
  • Students with outstanding balances are:
    • Ineligible for future term registration
    • Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
    • Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes
  • If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
  • Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
  • Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
  • Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
  • Students auditing a course must pay:
    • 50% of tuition
    • 100% of any applicable technology fees

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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