Escape Studios is a premier Animation, Games, and VFX school in the UK, offering industry-driven courses designed by experts. The school has strong partnerships with top companies such as Light & Magic, Framestore, The Mill, DNEG, and many others. Additionally, Escape Studios collaborates with leading video game and software development companies, including Epic Games, and is the first certified Unreal Authorized Training Center and Unreal Engine Academic Partner in the UK.

Escape Studios offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with specialized short courses in animation and games. Students at the school have contributed to major films and series such as Stranger Things, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Avatar: The Way of Water, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Batman, Elvis, Top Gun: Maverick, and The Banshees of Inisherin. They have also worked on popular video games like Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted 2, and Forza Horizon.

Teachers at Escape Studios actively encourage students to submit their projects to international competitions, and as a result, students have received hundreds of award nominations. Notably, the short film VFX Jerich0 was shortlisted for the Student BAFTA Awards and won “Film of the Year” in VFX at The Rookies awards.

Over 4,000 alumni, known as Escapees, have launched successful careers in animation, video games, and VFX. They have contributed to major projects such as The Mandalorian, Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3, Fast X, and games from companies like Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Epic Games, and Playground Games. According to the latest statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, Escape Studios ranks in the top 6% of UK universities for graduate employability, with 90% of students securing employment within 15 months of graduation.

Location

Escape Studios is located in the heart of London‘s Greenwich Peninsula, near the River Thames and Canary Wharf, surrounded by some of the world’s largest studios. The campus is easily accessible, with North Greenwich station just a 3-minute walk away. The area offers a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions, including the Canteen Food Hall, NOW Gallery, The O2 Arena, Icon Outlet Shopping Center, and the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

Facilities

The school features a Studio Classroom that accommodates 15-40 students, equipped with modern software and cutting-edge technology. Each workstation includes an HP Z Workstation Desktop PC, an Eizo ColorEdge professional monitor known for its color accuracy in the creative industries, and a Wacom Intuos drawing tablet. The classroom offers both Windows and Linux operating systems, providing flexibility since many VFX studios use Linux. Additionally, the school offers a Student Service Hub, rest areas, dining facilities, and a lounge with views of London. A video showcasing the school’s facilities is available for viewing click here.

Activities

In addition to academic study, the school organizes a variety of events, including An Evening with…, where experts from partner organizations share their knowledge, as well as Game Nights/Tournaments, Cinema Screenings, the End of Year Showcase, and The VFX Festival. The Escape Student Association (ESA) offers students the opportunity to connect with peers and participate in fun activities. Clubs such as Animation Club, E-Sports, Drawing Club, Film & Media, Rock Climbing, and Tabletop Gaming allow students to explore new interests and enjoy social experiences.

Courses

The school offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a range of creative disciplines, including Animation, Games, Visual Effects (VFX), Concept Art, Motion Graphics, Unreal Engine, and Houdini. For example,

• BSc (Hons) / MSci Programming for Games and VFX
• BSc (Hons) / MSci Character Creation for Animation, Games & VFX
• BSc (Hons) / MArt Concept Art and Experience Design
• BSc (Hons) / MArt The Art of Video Games
• BSc (Hons) / MArt The Art of Visual Effects
• MA Concept Art and Experience Design
• MA Visual Effects Production (Compositing)
• MA Motion Graphics
• MA 3D Animation
• MA Game Art

The school also offers a number of short courses, including:

• Concept Art and Experience Design Short Course (12 – 21 weeks)
• Composition for Visual Effect Short Course (12 – 21 weeks)
• Character & Creature Creation Short Course (12 – 21 weeks)
• Game Art Short Course (12 – 21 weeks)
• 3D Animation Short Course (12 – 21 weeks)
• Houdini (20 weeks)
• Unreal Engine for Film & TV (Online Course)
• Unreal Engine for Architecture (Online Course)

Why Study at Escape Studios?

• It is a well-known school for animation and games in the UK and internationally.
• Recognized as the #1 school in the world for Production Excellence in Immersive Media and #3 in the world for Production Excellence in Visual Effects by The Rookies.
• Named one of the Top 10 Creative Schools in the UK by The Rookies.
• No.1 in the UK for Game Design & Development and #9 in the world by Rookies Rankings 2022.
• No.2 in the UK for Visual Effects & Animation and 10th in the world by Rookies Rankings 2022.
• No.3 in the UK for Animation, 8th in Europe and 14th in the world out of over 200 institutions by Animation Career Review.
• Top 50 Creative Media & Entertainment Schools and Colleges, ranked 2nd in the UK and 38th in the world by The Rookies.
•  Ranked among the top 6% of UK institutions for Graduate Employment by the Higher Education Statistics Agency 2020/2024
• Partner with leading gaming companies like Epic Games.
• The first school in the UK to be accredited as an Unreal Authorized Training Center and an Unreal Engine Academic Partner.
• The school is certified as a Houdini Certified School, providing training in FX software for both students and industry professionals.

Admission Criteria

• For the bachelor’s degree: A completed high school diploma is required, along with a portfolio submission.
• For the master’s degree: A completed bachelor’s degree in a related field or relevant work experience is required, along with a portfolio submission.
• IELTS score: Overall 6.0 with no less than 6.0 in Reading & Writing, and no less than 5.5 in Listening & Speaking.