What careers can you do with an animation degree?

An animation degree is a passport to a world of creative careers.

07 May 2025

Animation Studios, UCA Farnham

Not only are you set for life in an animation studio, but you’ll also be ready for jobs in film, games, advertising and education to name just a few.  

Whether you’re passionate about storytelling, character design, or digital technology, animation graduates in the UK are finding exciting and varied roles in a rapidly evolving industry. 

Careers in animation

The most obvious path is becoming an Animator, but even that title covers a wide range of specialisms: 

  • 2D Animator: creating hand-drawn or digitally drawn sequences for TV, film or games. 
  • 3D Animator: using digital software like to bring characters and worlds to life. 
  • Stop-Motion Animator: working with physical models and sets. 
  • Motion Graphics Designer: producing animated graphics for advertising, social media and TV broadcasts. 
  • Character Animator: focusing on the movement and emotion of characters in games and film. 

These roles are in demand across film, television, advertising, and now increasingly in online content and educational media. 

Animation Studios, UCA Farnham

Studio roles beyond animation 

Animation studios are collaborative environments that rely on a wide range of creative professionals.  

Some of the most common jobs for animation graduates include: 

  • Storyboard Artist: sketching out the visual narrative before animation gets underway. 
  • Concept Artist: designing characters, environments and props in the early stages of production. 
  • Visual Development Artist: establishing the look and feel of a project through mood boards and style frames. 
  • Model Maker or Fabricator: building physical models and sets 
  • Rigger or Technical Animator: creating the digital skeletons that allow characters to move. 
  • Compositor: combining visual elements into final scenes 
  • Editor: cutting and polishing the final product 

These roles are essential to the production pipeline and offer opportunities develop a range of artistic and technical specialisms. 

Careers in related industries 

Animation graduates will often find that the skills they’ve developed throughout their degree can be applied to other roles within the creative industries. Here are some alternative paths: 

  • Game Artist or Designer: designing characters, environments and animations for video games. 
  • Illustrator: producing artwork for books, magazines and digital platforms. 
  • Graphic Designer: designing brands, adverts, websites and more. 
  • VFX Artist: creating digital effects for film, TV and games. 
  • Film Journalist or Critic: writing about animation, film and other media for publications or online platforms. 
  • UX/UI Design: developing interactive design and experiences. 
  • Creative Technologist: working with virtual and augmented reality, animation tools and interactive installations. 

These roles often appeal to graduates who enjoy storytelling, visual communication or experimenting with emerging technologies. 

Games Studios, UCA Farnham

Working for yourself 

Many animation students decide to freelance once they graduate, working on projects such as: 

  • Short films 
  • Commercials 
  • Music videos 
  • Social media content 
  • Educational animations 
  • Explainer videos for businesses 

Self-employment offers creative freedom and the chance to build a diverse portfolio. It also requires strong self-promotion and keen business skills. 

These are skills that UCA students are able to develop as part of their degree, through live briefs, industry projects and support from our Creative Careers team. 

Alternative career paths 

Not every animation graduate stays in the studio. Some pivot into: 

  • Marketing and communications: using the storytelling skill learnt to engage audiences. 
  • Copywriting and content creation: combining visual and written storytelling. 
  • Project management: overseeing creative projects in agencies or studios. 
  • Education and outreach: teaching animation and digital skills in schools, colleges, or community settings. 

These roles still benefit from the problem-solving, storytelling and design thinking skills developed during an animation degree. 

Animation Studios, UCA Farnham

Other degrees that lead to careers in animation 

We offer several courses that can lead to animation jobs, even if they’re not strictly animation degrees: 

More advice for animation applicants  

Related courses

UCA’s animation alumni include BAFTA and Golden Globe winners, as well as the creators of Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee, showing just how far an animation degree can take you. 

Undergraduate degrees 

Postgraduate degrees