Title: Bachelor in Animation: Computer Graphic Arts (CGA)

Duration of the program: 3½ years (210 ECTS), full time

Program start: August

Language: English

Finances: Danish students can apply for SU. For more information on finances go to the 'Fees and finances'-section.

Study program: See the full study program (PDF)

More information:

• Executive order (PDF - in Danish)
• Graduate survey (PDF)
• Follow-up on Student Satisfaction Survey (PDF)
• Study activity model, Year 1 (PDF)
• Study activity model, Year 2 (PDF)

The Computer Graphic Arts (CGA) program focuses on the artistic and technical areas of 2D and 3D animation film production. The aim is to develop versatile artists with a strong foundation in storytelling and design, as well as the entire 3D pipeline, in pursuits beyond animation. By the end of the degree, the CG artist should see 3D as an essential tool of the storytelling.

First year

The first year of the CGA program concentrates on foundations of artistic practice with several modules related to design, concept art, and animation & film history and culture. You will receive a thorough introduction to Maya® and Adobe®, and begin working with most aspects of the Maya pipeline. 3D modeling, both in regards to characters and environments, has the biggest focus.

You will then learn how to integrate 2D and 3D elements into your projects and evaluate when to use which, depending on the available resources.

You also undertake short productions at various points during the year both on your own and with the Character Animation (CA) students to gain formative experience with essential production skills in communication, teamwork, and project completion.

Second year

In the second year you focus on texturing, shading, lighting, rendering and compositing. The year is built around two large projects and a smaller elective.

In the first project you create a four legged creature, from the initial concept to realizing it in 3D, and finally integrating it into a live-action background.

You also work on another project in collaboration with the CA students, The NGO Project, in order to provide understanding of working with a client on a film with a message. During this production you also further your skills for working in a CG production setting in groups.

The elective is a chance to go deeper within a specific area, or make an exploration into uncharted land or focus on a specialization area. During second year, you take classes in preparation for idea development for the 3rd year productions. These classes may include world building, story development, cinematography, film analysis and pitch presentation.

Third year

Third year students from the CA and CGA programs come together to form production teams to create their graduation productions that culminate in the bachelor projects. Based on a selected pitch, the teams form and you specialize into elective roles to plan and manage a complex project and learn the importance of adhering to deadlines.

Furthermore, you compile your portfolios and showreel, guided by the staff and teachers, to highlight your skills as you apply for internships and target the jobs of your choice.

Seventh semester

For your final semester you will go on a 14-week internship with a production studio. Former students have been interned with Cartoon Saloon, Nørlum, Aardmann, The Mill and Ghost among others. Read more about the internship period in the 'Career Guidance and Internship'-section of this page.

Admission to The Animation Workshop’s bachelor programs is talent based. We are looking for students with excellent drawing and storytelling skills. Therefore, all applicants must participate in an entrance test to show whether they qualify for admission. 

In addition to the entrance test, you are required to have an upper secondary diploma as well as documented English skills corresponding to Danish B-level.
Applicants who meet these criteria and who pass the portfolio entrance test, are invited to an admissions test.

Find more in depth information about requirements, procedures etc. on our admissions page

Important dates

• Application deadline: March 22, 2020 11:59 am (CET - midday)
• Test and interview:  May 18 - 22, 2020. Remote test & Skype interview exclusively in 2020
• Program start: August 27, 2020 
• Next Open House with review sessions: October 8, 2020

Quick overview of the application procedure

1. You apply through the page www.optagelse.dk (comprehensive step by step-guides are available in Danish and English from the page). The page opens on February 1st and closes on March 22, 2020, at 11:59 am (CET - midday). Latecomers are not accepted!
2. With the application, you submit your entrance test portfolio. The required hand-in format is a single PDF-file
3. You receive a receipt for your application and are invited to log on to VIA’s admissions portal, where you can keep track of your application
4. After the deadline, we evaluate the tests. Applicants who passes the first entrance test are invited to an admissions test and interview on the following dates:
   Test days: 18 - 19 May - remote test only in 2020.
   Interview days: 18 - 22 May - Skype interview online in 2020
   English language test option: May 19. Changes may occur.
5. The results of the admissions test are announced early June
6. The final enrollment is completed on  July 28, 2020

More information

• Go to the Admission page to get more information about requirements, procedures etc.
• Need help to figure out www.optagelse.dk? Download our Five step application guide
• Download the Admissions checklist to make sure you have all the right documentation
• Check out VIA's How to apply guide for non-Danish applicants

NB: We reserve the right not to create classes in the event of too few applicants.

All teaching and extracurricular activities at TAW are held in English. The student body as well as the teachers, community, and staff count many with an international background.

Read more about living and studying in Denmark

Applying to the educations with international background

International applicants apply on equal terms with Danish applicants, following the same deadlines and procedures. Please refer to our admissions pages for more information about application procedures, requirements and deadlines.

Interested in an exchange semester at The Animation Workshop?

Please visit the Exchange students section under the admissions pages to see more about availability, application procedures, requirements and deadlines.

Visa and residency

Coming to Denmark from a Nordic or EU/EEA country, including Switzerland, you are free to live, study and work in Denmark. However, you must register with the Danish Immigration Service as well as the local municipality, if you intend to stay more than 3 months.

If you are coming to Denmark from outside the EU, you need a tourist visa (valid up to 3 months) or a residence permit (for stays exceeding 90 days). Normally, you must apply for visa or residence permit prior to your arrival in Denmark. Applying for a visa is a part of the enrollment process for the bachelor educations and is initiated by the school after you have been admitted to the program.

For detailed information about the application process and requirements, please visit the website of the Danish Immigration service.

Registering for Danish Social Security number (CPR) and Danish Health Insurance scheme

You must register in order to receive a Danish CPR-number. It is a social identity code which is key to all public registration and services, including tax, opening a bank-account, etc. Furthermore, the CPR-number will guarantee free public health insurance for the entirety of your stay (after a quarantine for the first six weeks for non-EU citizens).

Tuition fees

Students coming from countries outside of EU/EEA must pay tuition fees, unless they hold a permanent Danish residence permit. Paying the first year’s fee is a precondition for obtaining a student’s residence permit.

The fee for students matriculating in 2020 is € 7,300 per semester (€1,100 for the internship semester).

Payment schedule for Computer Graphic Arts (PDF)

There are no tuition fees for students coming from Denmark, the Nordic countries, EU/EEA countries and Switzerland.

Materials fee 

All students must pay a materials fee:

• For students matriculating in 2020: DKK 2300 (308 EUR) per month, except for the internship semester.

Total fee for Bachelor in Animation for a student matriculating in 2020: 36 months x DKK 2300 = DKK 82,800.

The fee covers costs and services which students at other institutions are expected to pay for themselves, and include:

• Individual work stations including an industry standard computer and Wacom board
• Animation drawing table
• Various animation supplies: specialty pencils, paper, books and readers, sketch books
• Study trips to animation film festivals
• Software and materials related to creating the productions
  and much more.

See full Material List (PDF)

Living Costs

You should expect average monthly living costs between 5000 and 7000 DKK (roughly 650 - 900 EUR), including accommodation.

Financial support for Danish students

The bachelor program is approved for SU for the official duration (3½ years or 41 months). 

Apply for SU

Financial support for students from EU/ EEA countries 

Foreign students are not eligible for the Danish educational support scheme (SU). Some exceptions are made for refugees and relatives of refugees and for other foreign citizens. EU citizens may be eligible for SU if they have a contract for 10-12 work hours per week.

More information about SU for foreign students

Scholarships for highly qualified students from outside the EU and the EEA

Each year, VIA awards a limited number of scholarships to highly qualified students from countries outside the EU and the EEA. The scholarship can be applied for by all current, international and tuition-fee paying students who have completed the first year of studies at VIA (2 semesters). A maximum of two full semesters can be awarded during studies at VIA. 

You can read more about the scholarship (selection criteria and application dates) and find the application form here.

Shortly after you have been accepted into TAW, you will be contacted by the school’s Housing Coordinator with specific housing information.

TAW itself has no accommodation. The school's role is to provide various opportunities for housing and help create contact between housing providers and new students - and to assist with language barriers if necessary. If you need language assistance, please contact taw.housing@via.dk. Students can choose to apply for a dorm room - or make arrangements with private housing providers - for example for shared apartments with fellow students.

Cost of Living 

Dorm rooms in Viborg typically cost between 2500 and 3500 DKK (250 - 470 EUR) per month depending on size and whether you are willing to share facilities. Utility expenses, like electricity, internet and heating, are often paid separately and cost around 600 DKK (80 EUR) per month. Private rooms in shared apartments can range depending on size, location and other factors, but aren’t drastically different from the cost of student accommodation.

Camp Logos

The dormitory Camp Logos is located across the street from the school and houses many of our students. Rooms at Camp Logos come with basic furniture. The availability in Camp Logos is very limited at this point. However, a new wing is under development and expected to be completed in August 2018. The school will contact you with further information about Camp Logos, prices and availability, shortly after you have been accepted into TAW.

The Merkur dormitory 

Merkur Kollegiet (The Merkur dormitory) is located in a newer residential area in Viborgs eastern district, 3.8 km from The Animation Workshop. All rooms are furnished with bed and desk and all have cable TV and free internet access. Each room has a storage room.

Shared apartments

It is our experience that the majority of our students prefer to move into a shared flat in the city. Join our Facebook Housing group to team up with other students looking for roommates and new tenants for the apartments, they are leaving themselves.

These websites may also be helpful:

• Boligselskabet Sct. Jørgen(Camp Logos and various rentals across city) 
• Boligselskabet Viborg(Merkur Kollegiet and various rentals across city)
• Danhousing (many large apartments in the city – suitable for sharing) 
• BoligPortal
• Boligdeal.dk 

If you have questions about housing or need language assistance, please contact taw.housing@via.dk

Your internship is a mandatory part of the education and a great way to start off your career and get contacts in the animation business. Prior to applying for an internship you will be mentored by staff and teachers in culminating a portfolio for your chosen area of work. 

Our students find internships all over the world and at some of the best and most influential businesses. Some of the studios our students have interned at include SYBO Games, IO Interactive, Nørlum, Illumination, Cartoon Saloon, Cartoon Network, The Mill and Ghost.

Read about Nadias experience interning with Cartoon Saloon.

Career Destinations

Following the internship and prior to graduation, the school hosts recruitment sessions with companies who are hiring. Companies give briefings about their studio and what competences they are looking for, as well as their current and coming productions. It's a great opportunity to meet potential employers and get feedback on your portfolio.

Our alumni work as:

• Previz Artists
• Character Modelers
• Texture Artists
• Environment Artists
• Technical Directors
• Look Development Artists
• Compositors
• Art Directors