ESMA Montpellier and ESMA Toulouse have been awarded RECA accreditation

In a sector as attractive as animated film, choosing the right school is an important step. Prospective students need to compare study programmes, the skills taught, admission requirements, career prospects, academic support and the recognition of qualifications. 

For families, this can quickly become a complex task. There are many schools, course titles can sometimes be similar, and careers in animation are evolving rapidly. The RECA accreditation provides a useful guide through this rich and demanding educational landscape. 

The ESMA campuses in Montpellier and Toulouse are accredited by RECA, the Network of French Schools of Animation. This accreditation recognises the quality of the information provided to prospective students, the structure of the study programmes, and the school’s educational commitment in the field of 3D animation and special effects. 

What is RECA? 

RECA brings together French schools of animation and visual effects – whether public, private or consular – that are recognised by industry professionals in France and internationally. 

Its role is to provide reliable and accessible information on animation training programmes. It supports prospective students in their career choices, facilitates dialogue between schools and industry professionals, and helps to organise exchanges with institutions involved in education, employment and creative industries. 

The RECA label is based on a charter of shared values. This charter emphasises, in particular, the transparency of the information provided, the clarity of admission procedures, the quality of the courses on offer, the focus on career placement, and the schools’ commitment to developing students’ artistic and technical skills. 

ESMA Montpellier and ESMA Toulouse: a course focused on careers in the visual media sector 

In both Montpellier and Toulouse, ESMA offers a five-year course in 3D Animation and Special Effects, leading to a Level 7 RNCP qualification. The programme gradually guides students through the acquisition of the artistic, narrative and technical fundamentals required for the production of animated imagery. 

Students develop their skills in drawing, directing, storytelling, 3D modelling, animation, lighting, rendering, compositing, special effects and production. The teaching approach is based on practical work, group projects and gradual exposure to professional demands. 

This approach enables students to build a solid visual culture, learn to work within a production pipeline and develop a profile suited to the needs of animation and VFX studios, and the creative industries more broadly. 

Recognition for both ESMA campuses 

The RECA accreditation awarded to the ESMA campuses in Montpellier and Toulouse confirms their place within a leading network for training in animated film.

It also highlights the school’s commitment to offering a clear, structured programme of study that is aligned with developments in the sector. In a professional environment characterised by significant technological, artistic and economic changes, this approach helps to strengthen ESMA’s position within the French animation ecosystem. 

For students, this accreditation provides an additional point of reference when choosing a school. For ESMA, it recognises a long-standing educational commitment: to train creative and technically skilled graduates who are capable of adapting to the practical realities of production within the visual media industries.