ESMA is a school with 30 years' experience training future professionals in CG Animation, Special Effects and Applied Arts.
ESMA is a higher education establishment specialising in CG Animation and Special Effects, which also offers courses in interior architecture, graphical design, video game design and concept art, with campuses in Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Rennes and Toulouse in France, but also in Montreal, in Canada. Each of our campuses in France, are equipped with student housing, thus facilitating the needs of foreign students looking to study at ESMA. ESMA offers a comprehensive professional course, over a 5-year cycle, dedicated to learning the ropes of CG Animation and FX (certified Lv7 RNCP, which is equivalent to the French Bac +5), allowing students to receive a complete and professional training in every aspect of the CG production pipeline. The campuses in Lyon and Montpellier also offer this course in English for international students. After graduating, the students are ready to join the industry in cinema, video games, advertising, TV, etc. Within 6 months of graduation, 92% of our students get hired, and many of them join renowned studios, seeing their names in the credits of many a blockbuster or hit TV show. During its 30 years of expertise, ESMA earned international renown. Every year, it is counted in the top 10 schools in the world in rankings recognised by the industry, and the movies created by our students receive awards and nominations in the greatest film festivals.
Location: Campus
Industries: 3D Animation Visual Effects Game Design & Development Concept Art & Illustration Graphic Design
Software: Adobe Creative Suite Adobe Substance Designer Affinity Designer Autodesk 3ds Max Autodesk Maya Blender DaVinci Resolve Foundry MARI ftrack Houdini keyframe Maxon Zbrush Mudbox Nuke Pixar Renderman PlantFactory V-Ray
Programs: Degree Diploma Masters
Certifications: Houdini Certified School
Courses
Entertainment Preparatory Year
The Entertainment Preparatory Year was created for students wishing to join the CG Animation & FX Master Degree (or our Video Game / Concept Art courses) holding a diploma equivalent to the baccalauréat. This course is centered on drawing practice and acquisition of fundamental applied art skills; French classes are available for international students. The Entertainment Preparatory Year’s tuition is 5880 euros, and application forms can be sent as early as September.
CG Animation & FX Master Degree
The CG Animation & FX Master Degree is a 5-year cycle (including the Entertainment Preparatory Year) and is a Lv7 RNCP-certified course (equivalent to the French Bac +5). The student will acquire all the skills required to successfully join this industry.
The last year is dedicated to the creation of an advertising film, in teams. The tuition for this course is 7680 euros per year, (except for the Preparatory Year), and application forms can be sent as early as September. The campuses in Lyon and Montpellier offer this course in English for international students.
Video Game Training
The video game arouses many vocations and a certain enthusiasm. In order to allow enthusiasts of this universe to train in optimal conditions and to envisage their professional future in the best possible way, ESMA is now offering “Video Game” training. This professional cycle benefits from the level 6 RNCP title “Video Game Designer” (equivalent to a baccalaureate +3/4), issued by France Competence and certified by the State.
Illustration Concept Art
Specialized in the creation of universes, the Illustrator can work in different fields of entertainment: Video Games, Animation Cinema, comics, etc. Drawing, digital illustration, 2D and 3D graphics, as well as scripting. At the heart of this training is a RNCP level 6 certification by the State.
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Achievements
Global School Rankings 2016
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2016.
Global School Rankings 2017
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2017.
Global School Rankings 2018
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2018.
Global School Rankings 2019
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2019.
Global School Rankings 2020
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2020.
Global School Rankings 2021
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2021.
Global School Rankings 2022
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2022.
Global School Rankings 2023
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2023.
Start your journey
Learn more about ESMA
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