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Table of Contents
1. What Is Animation?
Animation is the art of painting, drawing, modeling, or otherwise preparing images for motion use. It gives life to stories in the movies, in games, in advertising, and so on. From the days of 2D cartoons to the current realm of advanced 3D visual effects, animation is now an indispensable branch of the entertainment and digital industries.
With advancements in digital technology and sophisticated computer-generated imagery (CGI), animation is also applied in a plethora of industries, such as architecture, medicine and education.
Why does it matter to the world?
- Animation is a bridge between life and fiction. It allows filmmakers, game designers, advertisers and educators to tell engaging stories that touch the lives of many to take action or aspire to be more.
- Animation makes education and communication more effective by breaking down concepts visually that students need to learn and make those ideas more entertaining and engaging. Animation is used in all kinds of subjects, whether in science, history or medicine.
- Animation drives huge industries worth billions such as the entertainment world, gaming industry and now serving as a conduit for new technologies that will be a part of our daily lives in the future such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
Here’s some real talk from an experienced Animator:
2. Where To Study Animation Courses In Malaysia?
Here are 9 best universities to study Animation courses in Malaysia.
- #1 Asia Pacific University (APU)
- #2 Multimedia University (MMU)
- #3 Equator College
- #4 Dasein Academy Of Art
- #5 The One Academy
- #6 Taylor’s University
- #7 UCSI University
- #8 University of Cyberjaya (UOC)
- #9 UNITAR International University
3. Animation Course Pathways & Entry Requirements
There are 2 pathways one can consider when studying an Animation Course.
Pathway 1: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Animation Degree
A regular pathway towards Animation studies is to enter a Pre-University course (A-Level, SACE, STPM) or a Foundation course offered by the university of your choice.
As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 5 credits to enter Pre-U or Foundation.
A Pre-University course or Foundation typically takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will qualify you to enter into a Degree in Animation or equivalent studies.
An Animation Degree will take 3 years to complete. Here are the general requirements to enter with qualifications from popular pre-university courses or a foundation course:
| Qualifications | General Requirements |
| A-Level | 2E |
| AUSMAT/SACE | ATAR 55 |
| CIMP | 55% |
| STPM | 2C |
| UEC | 5B |
| Foundation | CGPA 2.00 |
Note: Actual minimum requirements will differ between different universities.
In total, this pathway generally takes 4 years to complete.
Pathway 2: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Diploma ➔ Animation Degree
Studying for a Diploma in Animation is another path towards a full-on Degree qualification.
As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 3 credits to enter a Diploma in Animation and will take 2.5 to 3 years to complete.
For those with a Diploma qualification, you only need to enrol for 2 years to complete a Degree course with a minimum entry requirement of CGPA 2.0 for your Diploma.
A Degree in Animation will give you more rigorous learning and industry exposure through projects and internship placements.
How Can Uni Enrol Help?
Uni Enrol’s experienced counsellors help you compare the pros and cons of studying an Animation Course at different universities and different locations.
4. What You Learn In An Animation Course
These are concepts and skills that you will be introduced to in an Animation Course:
- 2D Animation
- 3D Animation
- 3D Design and Texturing
- 3D Lighting and Rendering Techniques
- Acting for Animators
- Advanced Drawing
- Animation Drawing and Composition
- Animation Production Timeline
- Animation Techniques
- Approaches to Communication Research
- Asset Development
- Character Animation
- Communicative English
- Computer Graphic
- Creative and Idea Generation
- Design Reflective Practice
- Digital Illustration
- Digital Video & Audio Production
- Ethics and Professional Conduct
- Film Studies
- History of Art & Animation
- Media Culture
- Media Law
- Motion Graphics
- Principles of Animation
- Scriptwriting and Storyboarding
- Sound Design
- Typography Studies
- Video Compositing & Special Effects
- Visual Art and Design History
- Visual Communication
5. Why Should I Study Animation?
If you have a strong affinity towards the creative industry and see animation as a way to express your artistic sensibilities, here are some reasons to jump in:
- High Demand in the Creative Industry – Animation is booming on a global level, and the demand is steadily increasing in film and gaming. Countries like Japan, the United States, and South Korea have massive animation markets, which offer various possibilities to animators worldwide. Knowing how to leverage on AI tools will only help you in your creative endeavours.
- Diverse Career Opportunities – Animation skills can be applied in various fields such as filmmaking, gaming, marketing, advertisement, and education. Platforms such as Youtube and TikTok empower creators to make their own content and created their own IPs.
- Animation Will Only Become More Pervasive – The advancement and integration of AI, AR and VR into our daily lives will make animation an essential component of these future solutions.
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6. RIASEC Compatibility for an Animation Course
The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:
- Realistic (R)
- Investigative (I)
- Artistic (A)
- Social (S)
- Enterprising (E)
- Conventional (C)
With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.
As an Animator, it’s best to exhibit these Top 3 traits:
ARTISTIC
- Animators need a strong sense of creativity, imagination, and visual storytelling skills. They enjoy designing characters, environments, and motion sequences using both traditional and digital techniques.
INVESTIGATIVE
- Animation involves problem-solving, especially when creating realistic movements, visual effects, and 3D modeling. Understanding physics, anatomy, and motion is essential for making animations look natural and believable.
REALISTIC
- Animators work hands-on with digital tools, drawing tablets, 3D software, and motion capture technology. They must be comfortable with using industry-standard software and experimenting with different animation techniques.
7. Career Opportunities In Animation
A career in Animation is more diverse than you think especially when it is becoming
| Areas of Opportunity | Types of roles |
| Films and TV Animations | 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Storyboard Artist, Character Designer, Background Artist VFX Artist |
| Gaming and Interactive Media | Game Animator, Motion Capture Animator, UI/UX Designer For Games |
| Advertising and Commercial Animation | Motion Graphic Designer, Commercial Animator, Corporate Video Producer |
| Web and Social Media Animation | Social Media Animator, GIF Animator |
| Illustration and Concept Art | Concept Artist, Comic Book, Graphic Novel Artist |
| AR and VR | VR/AR Animator, Hologram and Projection Mapping Artist |
| Academic and Research Roles | Animation Lecturer/Professor, Animation Researcher |
| Freelancing and Entrepreneurship | Freelance Animator, Animation Studio Founder |
Recommended Course Guides
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We also took the liberty to compile all our University Guides and Course Fees Guides so you don’t have to go anywhere else!
About the Author:
Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.
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