New degree program responds to need for specialists in CGI, visual effects and animation

Sheridan is launching a four-year degree program that responds to global demand across a multitude of industries for qualified and credentialed artists who specialize in computer-generated imagery (CGI), visual effects (VFX) and animation.

The Honours Bachelor of 3D Animation and Emerging Technologies (3DAET) is Canada's first college honours degree program dedicated to computer animation and visual effects. Students will learn fundamentals of computer animation, design and technology, then further develop their skills through hands-on projects, a research capstone and a 420-hour internship.

"3D animation is no longer just for entertainment. Today's 3D specialists are finding work in sectors across the economy, including automotive design, architecture, medicine, urban planning, security and more," says Mark Jones, Dean of Sheridan's Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design (FAAD). "By blending traditional artistic principles with cutting-edge techniques, our 3D Animation and Emerging Technologies degree will prepare students to capitalize on the growing variety of opportunities in the field of 3D modelling, real-time graphics, and animation."

“By blending traditional artistic principles with cutting-edge techniques, our 3D Animation and Emerging Technologies degree will prepare students to capitalize on the growing variety of opportunities in the field of 3D modelling, real-time graphics, and animation.”

– Mark Jones, Dean of Sheridan's Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Learners will be supported by professors from FAAD, Canada's largest arts school and a global innovator in computer animation education for nearly 50 years. Sheridan has been named the top animation college in Canada — and top-two internationally, excluding schools from the United States — in each of Animation Career Review’s last seven annual rankings.

3DAET students will also have opportunities to work with industry partners and subject matter experts from Sheridan's Screen Industries Research and Training Centre, and to gain experience using advanced technologies such as LED volumes, photogrammetry setups, LIDAR scanners and motion capture systems.

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to perform creative and technical roles in such fields as animation, visual effects, games and immersive media, film production and post-production, marketing and communications, digital twins, architecture and design, healthcare and more.

“As an educational leader and pioneer in animation and other innovative programs for a half-century, Sheridan has deep strategic ties with major studios, unions, guilds and streaming companies throughout the world. Our faculty have worked closely with many of these partners to build a program that not only addresses current industry demands but also applies research and innovation to anticipate future needs,” says Dr. Theresa Scandiffio, FAAD Associate Dean of Animation and Game Design. “Sheridan’s relationships with leading experts across the screen and technology industries will also foster exceptional internship opportunities to complement studio-based learning in this program, ensuring graduates enter the workforce already armed with valuable industry insights and real-world experiences.”

Applications are now being accepted for the first cohort of the program, which is scheduled to begin in September 2026. To learn more about Sheridan's new Honours Bachelor of 3D Animation and Emerging Technologies, please visit the program page.

About Sheridan’s Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Sheridan’s Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design (FAAD) is internationally renowned for outstanding programs that train performers, animators, filmmakers, designers and artists to realize the full potential of their talent. Numerous alumni have been recognized with Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Canadian Screen Awards and other significant industry accolades. FAAD is home to Canada’s first computer animation program, first four-year honours bachelor’s degree in game design and first honours bachelor’s degree in interaction design, and recently launched Nova, a bold interdisciplinary initiative designed to help creatives succeed in a changing world.