3D Animation & VFX Training - Final Year Professional Training

Duration and location

1 year, full-time, classroom-based

Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse
Target audience

People in initial training with student status
Prerequisites and admission requirements

See Admission and fees
ECTS credits

60 credits (30 credits per semester)
certificate assessment in 4th and 5th grade

(RNCP40876)

Assessments are carried out as part of the design and production of a 3D animated film with special effects, developed under professional conditions, resulting in deliverables and scenarios evaluated by professionals: pre-production file, professional review, presentation of a creative research approach, production (as a team) of a finalized 3D animated film.
Fees

See Admission and fees

Year 5

3D Animation & Special Effects Professional Training

The program is structured into teaching units that award ECTS credits (30 ECTS credits per semester).

Let Your Creativity Shine

This 5th year focuses entirely on producing a short 3D animated film as part of a team. Your project will be presented to a jury of international professionals, providing valuable exposure to the 3D animation and special effects industry.

This is your opportunity to showcase the skills you’ve mastered throughout your training—animation, modeling, lighting, rendering, and more—and let your work speak for itself.

What does the final year involve?

Bring Your 3D Animated Film to Life

In the final year of the Professional Cycle in 3D Animation & FX, you will work as part of a team to produce a short animated film—a key milestone in your training.

Our film will be presented to a panel of international professionals, offering you the chance to:

•Make a name for yourself in the 3D animation and entertainment industry.

•Build valuable industry connections and expand your network.

•Gain recognition at prestigious international festivals, including:

Annecy International Animation Film Festival
Siggraph
Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS)
Palm Springs
International ShortFest

Discover the associated professions

Objectives
- Adapt artistic direction to production constraints. Manage and resolve complex technical and artistic problems in production.
- Assess and resolve complex technical, artistic, or optimization problems encountered in production.
- Rigorously document design and development processes.
- Structure sophisticated technical systems for 3D production.
- Contribute to production management and deployment.
- Produce a short animated film (final year project) as part of a team and present it to a jury of international professionals.
- Prepare for entry into professional life by meeting experts and presenting your work (juries, job fairs, etc.).
Teaching methods and resources

Assessments are part of the design and production of a 3D animated film with special effects, developed under professional conditions, resulting in deliverables and scenarios evaluated by professionals: pre-production file, professional review, presentation of a creative research approach, and production (as a team) of a finalized 3D animated film.

Highlights of the year

Completion of end-of-studies project as part of a team
Artistic Direction

Music, dubbing, partnerships, etc.
Meeting with professionals and former students
Professional simulations

Reviews – coaching en anglais
Grand Prix / Job Fair

Awards ceremony following the screening of the end-of-year films, meeting with professionals
Assessment & Validation of certification

Year 5 - Teaching units

Fifth-grade assessments consist of certification exams (70%) and continuous assessment (30%).

Semester 9 - 30 ECTS
UE1 – Artistic and Narrative Direction
- Leading the artistic and narrative direction of an animated creation
UE2 – Professional Methodologies
- Anticipating needs and designing proactive solutions
UE3 – 3D Creation
- Designing the production pipeline
Semester 10 - 30 ECTS
UE1 – Direction artistique et narrative
- Diriger la direction artistique et narrative d’une création animée
UE2 – Méthodologies professionnelles
- Anticiper les besoins et concevoir des solutions proactives
UE3 – Création 3D
- Concevoir le pipeline de production

Validation of the training by a Professional Certification

The training program is validated by professional certification RNCP40876 – Expert in Design and Production – 3D Animation and Special Effects, level 7 (equivalent to a master’s degree), registered in the National Directory of Professional Certifications on June 25, 2025 for a period of 5 years.

Certifiers: ETPA-Creative Schools, Creative Schools Montpellier, Creative Schools Nantes, Creative Schools Lyon – Bordeaux, Creative Schools Rennes.

The professional certification is awarded upon successful completion of all three competency modules :

1. Designing the artistic development of a 3D animation and/or special effects project (pre-production).
2. Managing the production of a 3D animation and/or special effects project.
3. Developing the production of a 3D animation and/or special effects project.

Candidates not participating in the VAE program must have maintained consistent attendance throughout the training program.

Certification is also available through the VAE (Validation of Prior Learning) program: France VAE | Expert in Design and Production – 3D Animation and Special Effects

Validation may be partial (awarding of a certificate of competencies for each module completed).

Details on competencies and assessment procedures are available on the France Compétences website: RNCP40876 – Expert in Design and Production – 3D Animation and Special Effects

Teaching methods and assessment procedures may be adapted to accommodate disabilities, in accordance with the RNCP framework.

More information about France Compétences

Modalités d’évaluation de la certification :

Assessments are part of the design and production of a 3D animated film with special effects, developed under professional conditions, resulting in deliverables and scenarios evaluated by professionals: pre-production file, professional review, presentation of a creative research approach, production (as a team) of a finalized 3D animated film.

Teaching and assessment methods may be adapted if necessary to compensate for disability, in accordance with the RNCP (French National Register of Professional Certifications) standards.

Find out more about Disability and accessibility.

etudiants en cinéma d'animation 3d montpellier

Career opportunities and further education

Our certification leads to direct entry into professional life.

However, it is possible to continue your education in a higher-level program.

See career opportunities

At ESMA we take
success seriously.

1st School in the world in the category ‘Excellence in 3D animation production’
(*The Rookies 2025 competition)
100% Success rate (2025) *Consolidated figures for all certifying bodies of the Creative Schools
79% Overall employment integration rate at 6 months (2023)
70% Rate of entry into the target occupation after 6 months (2023)