Vancouver Animation School (VANAS)

  • Vancouver Animation School (VANAS) is a private post-secondary institution in Canada, specializing in animation, visual effects (VFX), game design and related digital arts.

  • Founded in 2010 (registered December 2010) in British Columbia.

  • Although based in Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada), much of its delivery is online (more on that below).

  • The school’s mission: to “educate aspiring artists in the diverse disciplines that form the Animation, Visual Effects and Video Game industries… We believe in empowering the artists to empower their art.”

  • Accreditation: VANAS is fully accredited under relevant BC agencies. For example, it received designation by the BC Education Quality Assurance (EQA) for category 1.

 

Why Choose Vancouver Animation School?

Here are reasons (especially for international students) to consider VANAS:

  • Industry-relevant programs – Courses are designed for animation, VFX and game industries. VANAS states it works with industry professionals.

  • Flexible delivery – Online and blended formats mean you can study from wherever you are, which is helpful for international students.

  • International student friendly – Because the school is heavily online, international students have good access. Also, there are scholarship opportunities (see below).

  • Strong faculty & peers – According to student feedback, instructors are active in industry, small class sizes, good feedback. One Reddit user said:

    “The good part is all your instructors are all current active animators … classes are mainly very small maybe just 5-3 people … they really make sure the students understand the lessons.”

  • Updates and new programs – The school keeps expanding its offering (for instance a production management program) which signals growth and responsiveness to industry needs.

  • Global reach – Because of online delivery and partnerships, you may have more flexibility.

 

University / School Ranking

  • According to a 2024 ranking of “Top 5 Professional Animation Training Programs in British Columbia”, VANAS is listed (5th) among the professional animation schools in BC.

  • Note: This is not a comprehensive global ranking. It means VANAS is recognised locally / regionally, but when comparing to larger institutions you’ll want to check detailed alumni outcomes, job placement, etc.

  • For international students, most important is accreditation + how many alumni get jobs rather than a “global ranking” number.

 

Campus Locations

  • The school is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

  • Because many programs are online / hybrid, you may study remotely. For on?campus or hybrid options, being in or relocating to Vancouver may be required.

  • According to a listing, the address (for referencing) is: 270-5489 Byrne Rd, Burnaby, BC, V5J 0A1.

  • For international students, check whether you need to be on-site (for hybrid programs) or fully remote.

 

Types of Courses / Study Levels

Here’s a breakdown of what you can study at VANAS:

  • Certificate programs – Shorter duration (e.g., “Introduction to Digital Arts” – 3 months) for foundational skills.

  • Diploma programs – One-year (12 month) vocational diplomas in fields like 2D Computer Animation, 3D Computer Animation, Animated Short Films, Concept Art, Production Management in Digital Entertainment.

  • University pathways / articulation – Some programs may lead into further studies or be recognized by partner universities. (Note: exact details for each pathway should be verified.)

  • Shorter or special programmes – E.g., “Writing for Animation” (3 months) certificate.

  • Example: The “2D Computer Animation Diploma” offers learning how to create two-dimensional digital characters, with live online delivery, with named instructors.

 

Mode of Learning (Onsite / E-Learning / Blended)

  • VANAS delivers 100% online programs as well as hybrid/blended (online + on-campus) formats. For example: “The Animation programs can be completed 100% online or in a hybrid (online/on-campus) format. Students who choose the hybrid option will spend three hours each week on campus.”

  • Their online platform is titled “FAME” (or “VANAS+”) which allows students around the world to interact.

  • For international students: if you are outside Canada, fully online delivery is likely your practical option unless you relocate for hybrid/on-campus. Always verify for your specific program.

 

Number of Programs Offered

While I didn’t find an exact up-to-date number like “we offer X programmes”, here’s what I found:

  • At least the following diploma programmes: 2D Computer Animation; 3D Computer Animation; Animated Short Films; Concept Art; Production Management in Digital Entertainment.

  • Certificate programmes: Introduction to Digital Arts; Writing for Animation; Professional Career Development (1 month).

  • A listing on EzyApply shows ~14 programmes (including things like Esports Management, Video Game Design, Virtual Reality) though some may be proposed/specialized and the fees listed may not reflect the international student status.

  • So while I cannot say “exactly 20 programmes”, you can expect a moderate variety of programmes (both diploma & certificate) mostly focused on animation / VFX / games.

 

Highlights

  • Flexible global access – The fact that many programmes are fully online means you, from India (or elsewhere), could enroll without relocating (unless you choose a hybrid path).

  • Industry-led instruction – For example, in the 2D Computer Animation diploma, instructors listed include people from major studios (Netflix, DreamWorks, Warner Brothers, Disney) with real studio credits.

  • Growing programme offerings – Example: A new “Production Management in Digital Entertainment” one-year online program launched recently.

  • Accredited online school – Being one of the early schools to receive full accreditation for online delivery in Vancouver/BC.

  • Small-class environment – According to student feedback, class sizes can be small, which may mean more personalised attention.

 

Important Considerations for International Students

  • English proficiency: As instruction is in English, you’ll likely need to demonstrate your proficiency. (Application page indicates English proficiency requirement)

  • Time zone / schedules: If you are studying online from India, check class times and whether live sessions align with your time zone.

  • Visa / relocation: If you choose a hybrid or on-campus component, you may need to relocate to Canada. If you stay fully remote, visa issues may not apply, but living costs abroad may still matter.

  • Cost / currency: Fees may be listed in Canadian dollars (CAD). For international students, factor in exchange rate, additional costs, and time differences.

  • Scholarship eligibility & deadlines: Ensure you apply early and check whether your country of origin is eligible.

  • Portfolio / prerequisites: Some programmes may expect you to have foundational skills in drawing, software, etc — check your target programme’s entry requirements.

  • Outcome / job placement: Look for what alumni have done, what kind of portfolio you’ll build, and how the school supports career transition.

Scholarship

What scholarships VANAS offers (types & recent examples)

  1. Merit scholarships — awarded for artistic/academic merit (portfolio, transcripts, resume). These are common for diploma programs.

  2. Need-based scholarships — available in certain situations to offset tuition for students who meet financial criteria and fit program goals.

  3. Regional / promotional scholarships — time-limited campaigns targeted at specific regions. Example: VANAS announced over 80 scholarships for Latin American students (50% tuition each) across multiple live-online diplomas in 2025 (2D, 3D, Concept Art, Effects, etc.). The event/webinar and press coverage list the exact number of scholarships per program.

  4. Intake/round discounts — the website advertises intake rounds where a limited number of scholarships/discounts (e.g., “Round 1 of 3 — scholarships of 20% available”) are offered for specific start dates. These appear per intake and per program.

 

Which programs are commonly covered

VANAS lists scholarships across many of their live online diploma programs (examples from the LATAM campaign and site): 2D Animation, 3D Animation, 3D Modeling, Animated Short Film, Concept Art, Digital Matte Painting, Effects Animation, Esports Development, and other digital arts diplomas. Program-specific scholarship numbers were published in the LATAM event page.

 

Eligibility — what you’ll usually need

VANAS’s published eligibility and application checklist (common requirements) include:

  • Application form for the program (complete with application fee where applicable).

  • Academic transcripts / credentials (high school or post-secondary, depending on program).

  • Portfolio — typically 5 artwork pieces or a demo reel of your best work (this is the single most important item for creative merit scholarships).

  • Resume / CV showing relevant education, projects, or work experience.

  • Some scholarships require completion of a formal application or separate scholarship form and may mention a non-refundable fee (check the current scholarship application instructions).

 

How many and how large are the scholarships?

  • Sizes vary: typical examples are 20% discounts during intake rounds, or special campaign awards of 50% tuition (as seen in the 2025 LATAM campaign). Exact number of awards per program was published for that campaign (e.g., 5 scholarships for 2D Animation, 6 for 3D Animation, etc.). These large campaigns are limited in count and time-sensitive.

 

Application process (step-by-step for scholarship consideration)

  1. Choose program & intake on VANAS site and confirm scholarship rounds for that intake. (Scholarships are often tied to specific intake rounds.)

  2. Prepare materials: application form, transcripts, resume, and portfolio/demo reel (5 strong pieces). Follow program-specific portfolio instructions (file formats, length of reel, labeling).

  3. Submit application and any scholarship application forms by the scholarship deadline (deadlines are intake-based — check the program page/event).

  4. Wait for selection — scholarship awards are communicated by VANAS admissions; awards are competitive and limited.

  5. Accept offer & arrange payment/visa (if studying onsite). For online programs you typically won’t need a student visa.

 

Deadlines & timing — what to watch for

  • Scholarship availability is intake-based and time-limited. VANAS runs several rounds per intake; the site often shows “Round 1 of 3” with specific deadlines. Always check the live program page for the intake you want (dates change).

  • Special campaigns (e.g., the 2025 LATAM 50% scholarships) had specific application windows and webinar events — follow the events page or subscribe to VANAS updates to avoid missing them.

 

International student considerations (visa, online option)

  • Online programs: VANAS offers live online diplomas — these give you the same curriculum without needing a study visa (and scholarship campaigns have been targeted at online students in certain regions). This is especially useful for international students who want lower cost and no visa.

  • Onsite study & visas: If you plan to study in Canada with an on-campus intake, you must follow VAC/IRCC rules for student visas (VANAS has an international student support page with guidance). Confirm whether a scholarship affects your study permit documents or proof of funds.

 

Financial aid & payment options

  • VANAS mentions payment plans (pay in full, per term, or monthly installments) and other financial aid mechanisms in their catalog. Scholarships can be combined with payment plans but read the award terms carefully.

 

What I found that’s new / noteworthy (May–Oct 2025)

  • May 2025: VANAS ran a major LATAM scholarship campaign offering many 50% scholarships across live online programs (over 80 prizes distributed among programs like 2D, 3D, Concept Art, etc.). This is an example of their occasional large regional campaigns — good to watch for if you belong to a targeted region.

Programs

Vancouver, Canada