Our world is evolving rapidly, and with it, the definition of a successful career is also changing. There was a time when only fields like medicine, engineering, or law were seen as respectable and high-paying. But today, with technological and creative advancement, many modern courses are offering equally rewarding careers, both in terms of salary and global demand. One such exciting and booming field is animation. Once just seen as part of children’s entertainment, animation has now emerged as a powerful industry used in films, gaming, advertising, education, and more. Countries around the world are now actively hiring skilled animators, making it a global career path. Among the top destinations, New Zealand has become a popular choice for Indian students to study animation, thanks to its world-class institutes and industry-relevant programs. In this blog, written under the guidance of Licensed Immigration Adviser Ms. Parwinder Kaur, we explore animation courses, top institutes, and the New Zealand study visa process.
Why New Zealand is the best destination for Animated Courses?
If you are planning to build a creative and exciting career in animation, New Zealand can be one of the best countries for you. Here are some strong reasons why many Indian students choose to study in New Zealand for animation courses:
- World-Renowned Animation Industry: New Zealand is home to world-famous studios like Weta Digital, which worked on big movies like Avatar and The Lord of the Rings. Studying here gives students a chance to learn in a country that has already made a name in global animation.
- Practical and Industry-Based Learning: Animation courses in New Zealand focus on real-world skills. Students get to work on live projects, learn the latest software, and build a strong portfolio, making it easier to get jobs after completing the course.
- Top-Rated Colleges and Institutes: Institutes like Media Design School, Yoobee College, and AUT University offer high-quality animation programs that are well respected worldwide.
- Welcoming Environment for Indian Students: New Zealand is a safe and friendly country. Many Indian students feel comfortable living and studying here because of its multicultural environment.
- Post-Study Work Opportunities: With a New Zealand study visa, eligible students can apply for a post-study work visa and start their career in New Zealand’s creative industry.
Top Institutes in New Zealand for Animation
Media Design School (Auckland)
Media Design School is New Zealand’s #1 specialist for animation and VFX, ranked in the global top 20 by Animation Career Review. Their Bachelor of Art & Design – 3D Animation & VFX (Level 7, three years) is deeply industry‑focused. From the first year, students work in studio-style projects mirroring real animation and VFX pipelines, from concept to rendered film. The curriculum covers modelling, rigging, lighting, compositing, visual effects and storytelling. It is a Houdini Certified school, giving students direct access to SideFX resources and recognition by studios. Located in Auckland’s Innovation Precinct, students benefit from proximity to industry partners, networking with creative companies and visiting professionals.
This course suits both design‑focused creatives and technically inclined students, providing strong hands‑on training and a portfolio of short films and showreels ready for professional roles. Indian students who want to study in New Zealand and aim for careers in global animation studios, game development or visual effects will find this a powerful, studio‑simulated learning environment that builds globally recognized credentials and practical expertise.
Massey University – National Academy of Screen Arts (Wellington)
Massey University’s Bachelor of Screen Arts (Animation major) plus optional Honours integrates animation, film, immersive media and games into one multidisciplinary degree. Over the three- or four‑year structure, students move from fundamentals, storytelling, character design, animation theory to advanced screen‑based production using industry software like Maya, Houdini, Nuke, ZBrush, Unity and Unreal. The campus hosts New Zealand’s largest virtual production volume, motion capture stage, extensive render farms and film-standard camera labs. Students participate in collaborative, client-based projects, develop group skills, and deliver polished capstone works. Odisha access to faculty and guest tutors with experience at Weta and other studios gives insight into modern animation/VFX workflows. For Indian students planning to study in New Zealand, Massey is ideal if you want both technical depth and creative breadth, a pathway toward film, games or immersive careers, and a strong institution with research-level facilities. This program is especially beneficial for students who value academic rigour combined with practical production experiences.
Yoobee Colleges (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch)
Yoobee is New Zealand’s largest specialist provider in animation, creative tech and design, formed from multiple merged campuses including South Seas Film & TV and Animation College. They offer a Diploma in Animation (Level 5, one year) and a Bachelor of Animation (Level 7, three years) covering 2D and 3D character animation, storyboarding, pre‑production, modelling, rigging and game art. The diploma is project‑based: students learn industry-standard tools (Adobe Animate, Toon Boom, Maya, After Effects), create stories, pitch ideas, and build a showreel through hands‑on studio simulations, with no exams. Their bachelor programme builds stronger technical depth, storytelling and creative practice and is Rookies Certified and Toon Boom Certified giving students industry visibility and software access.
Indian students looking to study in New Zealand and wanting to begin practical animation training quickly will find Yoobee appealing. It’s particularly suited to those who prefer fast-paced, hands-on learning and early portfolio development. With multiple campuses and online options, Yoobee provides flexibility and accessible entry paths for international learners.
Unitec Institute of Technology (Auckland)
While Unitec does not publish a standalone animation bachelor, it offers broad creative media and design programmes that include animation modules for developing skills in motion design, digital content creation, and interactive media. These programs emphasize real-world creative production in New Zealand’s largest polytechnic environment. Indian students choosing to study in New Zealand at Unitec benefit from its campus facilities, applied learning, and strong ties with local creative industries. Students gain experience in software tools, project collaboration, design principles and media workflows. It’s best suited for those who want a broader creative technology education with exposure to animation content rather than a dedicated animation-only degree.
Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design (Auckland)
Whitecliffe College focuses on fine arts, design innovation and creative arts therapies and may integrate animation-related electives or modules within broader design programmes. While not primarily animation-centric, students may learn motion graphics, digital illustration and concept storytelling. For Indian students planning to study in New Zealand who have a background in fine art or design and wish to incorporate visual narrative, concept art and illustration into animation or digital media, Whitecliffe offers a creative environment blending artistic foundation with media outcomes. This suits students wanting artistic underpinning rather than full studio workflows.
South Seas Film & Television School (now part of Yoobee- Auckland)
Operating under Yoobee branding, the South Seas Auckland campus historically offered diplomas in film and visual media, and now includes animation training pathways within Yoobee’s structure. Students can study animation via the Diploma or Bachelor options at the South Seas campus. With a focus on visual storytelling in film, animation and media production, this campus offers immersive creative collaboration and production settings. Indian students who want to study in New Zealand in an environment blending film and animation will benefit from the South Seas legacy combined with Yoobee’s creative training pathways. This path works well for students interested in overlapping animation, screen media, and film industries in Auckland’s visual media ecosystem.
Entry Requirement for Animated Courses
- Academic Qualification & University Entrance: Most animation programmes (diploma or bachelor’s) require applicants to have completed equivalent to New Zealand secondary school qualification, such as NCEA Level 3 or its international equivalent. For Indian students, this usually means passing Class 12 (e.g., CBSE/ISC/AISSCE) with a solid average and satisfactory English performance at school level. Massey University, for instance, expects Indian state board or central board results with around 75% overall and at least 60% in English.
- English Language Proficiency: To support a New Zealand study visa application, Indian students must provide proof of English proficiency, commonly IELTS 6.0 overall (with no band below 5.5), PTE Academic 50, or TOEFL iBT 80, with slightly higher scores for postgraduate pathways.
- Portfolio Submission & Interview: Most animation programmes require a creative portfolio showcasing relevant artwork, sketches, storyboards or short animations. For example, Yoobee’s entry requirement for the Bachelor of Animation includes a portfolio with at least 10 original pieces and an interview process to assess creative potential. Media Design School may also request portfolio materials, especially for creative fields like 3D Animation & VFX.
- International applicants must generally be at least 18 years old when enrolling in tertiary animation programmes. They should hold appropriate school graduation credentials completed within the last two years. As part of the New Zealand study visa process, accepted Indian students also need to demonstrate adequate funds, medical insurance, and confirmed enrolment with visa documentation provided by the educational institution.
Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Animated Courses
Tuition fees for animation courses in New Zealand vary depending on the institute and level of study. On average, international students can expect to pay between NZD 24,000 and NZD 40,000 per year. For example, Yoobee Colleges offers diploma and bachelor’s programmes in animation with fees ranging from NZD 24,500 to NZD 26,000 annually. Media Design School and Massey University have higher tuition, with bachelor’s degrees costing up to NZD 35,000–40,000 per year. In addition to tuition, students should also plan for the cost of living, which is typically around NZD 20,000 per year. This includes expenses like rent, food, transport, and other daily needs. Living costs may be slightly higher in cities like Auckland and Wellington. Overall, students should budget approximately NZD 42,000 to 60,000 per year to cover both tuition and living costs while studying animation in New Zealand. Proper financial planning is essential for a smooth study experience.
Scholarship available for Indian students
- Media Design School International Student Scholarship: Media Design School offers a compelling scholarship of up to 30% off tuition fees for international students enrolling in creative programmes like the Bachelor of Art & Design- 3D Animation & VFX.
- Yoobee Creative Pathfinder Scholarship: Yoobee Colleges provides the Creative Pathfinder Scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition fees for the first year of any Bachelor-level programme, such as the Bachelor of Animation. Additionally, there’s a 25% tuition reduction for each following year.
- Massey University International Creative Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate): Massey offers a partial funding scholarship worth NZD 10,000 for international students entering the Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours (Animation major).
- Yoobee Graduate Upskilling Scholarship (Honours Year): Specifically for alumni of the Yoobee Bachelor of Animation (Level 7), this scholarship covers full tuition for the Honours year (Level 8). Though currently limited to NZ citizens or residents, Indian alumni who later gain residency might benefit, so it’s worth planning ahead for extended study options.
Career Outcomes after Animation Programme
Studying animation in New Zealand opens up exciting and diverse career opportunities for international students, especially those from India. After completing a qualification like a Bachelor of Animation or Bachelor of Screen Arts (Animation major), graduates can work in high-demand sectors such as film and television production, game design, visual effects (VFX), motion graphics, and 3D modelling. New Zealand’s animation industry is globally respected, with companies like Weta FX and Park Road Post offering internships and employment pathways to talented students. Many graduates find roles as animators, character designers, storyboard artists, rigging artists, and VFX specialists. Additionally, freelancing or working with global clients remotely is also a popular route due to the industry’s digital flexibility. With a strong portfolio and hands-on training from industry-oriented institutions, Indian students studying in New Zealand can secure rewarding creative careers, both locally and internationally, in the booming digital entertainment industry.
How West Highlander can help?
West Highlander Immigration helps students who want to study animation in New Zealand. We offer complete support for your New Zealand study visa through our online services. Our team gives you the right advice to choose the best course and college. You will get expert guidance from Ms. Parwinder Kaur, a Licensed Immigration Adviser. We also help you prepare a strong visa file. Call us for free counselling at 📞 9915999677 and get started with your New Zealand study journey!