Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac

Higher Education / Digital Arts Educationnad.ca

École NAD-UQAC is a public Quebec university school founded in 1992, offering 10 specialized programs in 3D animation, video game creation, and visual effects across two campuses (Montreal and Sherbrooke), serving students pursuing careers in creative industries and partnering with 50+ studios globally.

Company typePrivate
Founded1992
HeadquartersMontreal, Canada
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac does

École NAD-UQAC (École des arts numériques, de l'animation et du design), founded in 1992 in Montreal and operating as a constituent school of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) since 2010, is a public Quebec educational institution specializing in 3D digital creation. It offers a 10-program portfolio spanning undergraduate certificates, bachelor's degrees, graduate diplomas, master's, and doctoral programs across three domains: 3D animation for cinema, video game creation (art and technical arts tracks), and digital design. The institution operates two physical campuses—Montréal (headquarters at Îlot Balmoral in the Quartier des spectacles, since Fall 2019) and Sherbrooke (opened September 2023)—along with an international program delivered through a partnership with Tianjin University of Technology in China. Curriculum is built around industry-standard 3D/VFX tooling (Maya, Blender, Substance Painter, ZBrush, Houdini, Unreal Engine) and motion capture, with state-of-the-art facilities including a VR/motion capture studio, green screen studio, and five production zones.

The institution's revenue model combines tuition and academic fees (Quebec-regulated domestic rates plus international premiums), government and institutional research funding (notably FRQSC Chaire CREAT and Hexagram network grants totaling several million CAD), continuing education and corporate training, and industry partnership contributions (e.g., via the ImagiNAD gala and equipment donations). The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer, recruiting prospective students through the school's website, open houses, portfolio-based admissions, and an annual flagship event (ImagiNAD) that convenes 1,100+ attendees including 150+ industry representatives. The institution also functions as a research hub through two laboratories—MIMESIS (immersive experiences, audiovisual spatialization) and Praxis (game design practices)—and a research chair in creative economy and well-being.

NAD-UQAC serves a B2C student base segmented into prospective 3D animation students, prospective video game students, technical arts students (Sherbrooke-exclusive), and graduate research students. On the B2B side, it maintains 50+ partnerships with major animation, VFX, and game studios including Ubisoft, Beenox, Rodeo FX, EA Motive, Framestore, Cinesite, and Warner Bros. Games Montreal. The school's value proposition centers on practice-based pedagogy informed by industry projects, active-industry faculty, synthesis portfolios that serve as recruiting artifacts, and a documented alumni network of 2,500+ graduates working in studios globally. It is ranked 35th among the world's best animation schools by Animation Career Review.

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac
Legal name: École des arts numériques, de l'animation et du design (NAD-UQAC)
Website: https://nad.ca
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1992
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: École NAD-UQAC is a public Quebec university school founded in 1992, offering 10 specialized programs in 3D animation, video game creation, and visual effects across two campuses (Montreal and Sherbrooke), serving students pursuing careers in creative industries and partnering with 50+ studios globally.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac industry classification

Industry

Product category: Higher Education / Digital Arts Education
NAICS: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200)
akta.pro primary industry: Game Development (Unity, Unreal, 2D/3D) (EDAMACAE)

Keywords

Digital arts education
3D animation programs
Video game development
Visual effects training
University certificate programs

Where Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Montreal
HQ country: Canada
HQ region: North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue from tuition fees charged to domestic and international students enrolled in certificate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Programs are recognized as official UQAC university credentials.
Research Grants and Funding: Government and institutional funding for research activities including FRQSC grants (Chaire CREAT 4M$, Hexagram network 1.8M$), CRSH research funding, and industrial partnership subsidies.
Continuing Education and Corporate Training: Flexible professional development programs and corporate training services in 3D animation, VFX, and game design for industry professionals.
Industry Partnerships and Sponsorships: Support from industry partners including Ubisoft, Beenox, Rodeo FX, and other studios through the ImagiNAD gala, student projects, and equipment donations.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	University certificate programs (1 year)
Subscription	Annual	Bachelor's degree programs (3-4 years)
Subscription	Annual	Graduate programs (Master's, Doctorate, DESS)

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac product offering

Product offering

Core offering

École NAD-UQAC is a public university-level school that delivers certificate, bachelor's, master's, DESS, and doctoral programs in 3D creation for cinema, 3D creation for video games, and digital design. Teaching is centered on practice-based, industry-inspired synthesis projects delivered through specialized production facilities (production zones, green-screen, motion-capture, and VR studios), supported by the MIMESIS and Praxis research laboratories.

Product overview

École NAD-UQAC is an educational institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs in 3D digital creation. The school provides undergraduate certificates (Certificat en animation 3D et en design numérique, Certificat en arts techniques pour le jeu vidéo), undergraduate bachelor's degrees (Baccalauréat en création 3D pour le cinéma, Baccalauréat en création 3D pour le jeu vidéo, Baccalauréat en création 3D pour le jeu vidéo - Arts techniques), and graduate programs including short graduate certificates (programmes courts in visual effects simulation and creature/hair simulation), a graduate diploma (DESS en design de jeu vidéo narratif), master's degree (Maîtrise en art - design numérique), and doctoral program (Doctorat en créativité numérique). The institution is supported by research laboratories MIMESIS and Praxis, and hosts the annual ImagiNAD gala event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Baccalauréat en création 3D pour le cinéma Undergraduate bachelor's degree program focused on 3D creation for cinema, training students in animation, visual effects, and film production techniques at the Montréal campus.
Baccalauréat en création 3D pour le jeu vidéo Undergraduate bachelor's degree in 3D creation for video games, covering game art, character design, environment creation, and game development at the Montréal campus.
Baccalauréat en création 3D pour le jeu vidéo (Arts techniques) Undergraduate bachelor's degree in the technical arts track of 3D creation for video games, offered exclusively at the Sherbrooke campus with a focus on programming and technical implementation, developed with the Ubisoft Sherbrooke partnership.
Certificat en animation 3D et en design numérique University certificate program in 3D animation and digital design for students seeking specialized skills in digital creation, offered at the Montréal campus.
Certificat en arts techniques pour le jeu vidéo University certificate program in technical arts for video games, foundational program in game development and technical implementation, offered at the Sherbrooke campus.
Programme court de deuxième cycle en simulation d'effets visuels 3D Graduate-level short program in 3D visual effects simulation providing advanced training for experienced 3D artists, offered at the Montréal campus.
Programme court de deuxième cycle en élaboration de créature et simulation de chevelure-pelage Graduate short program focusing on creature development and hair/fur simulation techniques, offered at the Montréal campus.
Diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées en design de jeu vidéo narratif Graduate specialization diploma (DESS) in narrative video game design, focusing on storytelling and game narrative development, offered at the Montréal campus.
Maîtrise en art (design numérique) Master's degree in art with specialization in digital design, research-creation program for advanced digital artists, offered at the Montréal campus.
Doctorat sur mesure en créativité numérique Custom doctoral program in digital creativity for researchers pursuing advanced studies in digital arts, offered at the Montréal campus.
Programme de baccalauréat à Tianjin (Chine) Bachelor's program in 3D Animation and Digital Design delivered in China through the Tianjin University of Technology partnership, with Professor Gino Vincelli serving as academic director.
Formation continue et formation d'entreprise Flexible professional development programs and corporate training services in 3D animation, VFX, and game design for industry professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

35th best animation school worldwide (Animation Career Review)
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac

Customer profile

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

UbisoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor industry partner with campus presence in Sherbrooke adjacent to NAD-UQAC. Collaboration on technical arts program development for video game creation. Multiple annual student competition wins in Ubisoft's university competitions. Support through ImagiNAD gala and student project sponsorship.
BeenoxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner participating in ImagiNAD gala and student recognition. Active collaboration on curriculum relevance and industry connections for video game students.
Rodeo FXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisual effects studio partner supporting ImagiNAD awards. Collaboration ensures curriculum alignment with VFX industry requirements for film and television production.
GameloftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVideo game studio with historical ties to NAD-UQAC. Faculty connections include alumni working at Gameloft during 2000s.
EA MotivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEA studio partner supporting ImagiNAD gala and student recognition awards. Provides industry insight for game development curriculum.
Moment FactorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExperiential entertainment studio partnership for experiential design and immersive experiences education.
Red BarrelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndie horror game studio participating in ImagiNAD awards. Supports student recognition in game development.
Warner Bros. Games MontrealcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAA game studio partnership supporting ImagiNAD gala and providing industry perspective for curriculum development.
Tianjin University of Technology (China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for delivering Animation 3D and Design program in China. First foreign cohort graduated 2016. Program ranked 50th among 3000 departments and received Class A government rating. Professor Gino Vincelli serves as academic director for the program.
Unreal Engine (Epic Games)coreTechnology or IntegrationGame engine technology partnership supporting ImagiNAD gala. Software used extensively in video game programs for real-time production education.
SideFX (Houdini)coreTechnology or Integration3D animation and VFX software partnership. Houdini used in advanced VFX simulation courses.
SYNTHÈSE - Pôle image QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec image industry cluster partnership providing ImagiNAD awards.
Université de MontréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration with Department of Computer Science and Mathematics (DIM) for game development program. Collaboration on Cold Sun project for sound design and composition.
UQAC (Université du Québec à Chicoutimi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent university providing academic credentials, administrative support, and research funding. School is a constituent college of UQAC system since baccalaureate programs began in 2010.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Full Sail University: Full Sail University offers degrees in computer animation, game design, and digital cinematography, closely paralleling NAD-UQAC's media-arts degree portfolio.
Vancouver Film School: Vancouver Film School offers accelerated diploma and certificate programs in animation, VFX, and game design, making it the most direct Canadian comparator to NAD-UQAC's specialized 3D/game development programs.
Centre NAD (legacy) / Cégep de Jonquière: Centre NAD itself evolved into NAD-UQAC; Cégep de Jonquière continues to offer college-level training in similar domains, serving as the historical and programmatic predecessor.
Gnomon School of Visual Effects: Gnomon offers specialized training in VFX, games, and 3D, mirroring NAD-UQAC's narrow focus on 3D animation, VFX, and game creation pipelines.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD provides BFA and MFA programs in animation, visual effects, interactive design, and game development, comparable to NAD-UQAC's bachelor/master portfolio in 3D creation.
Gobelins, l'école de l'image: Paris-based Gobelins is a leading international animation and digital arts school; it competes for talent and reputation in the same global animation-school rankings as NAD-UQAC.
Ringling College of Art and Design: Ringling's Computer Animation and Game Art programs are direct competitors to NAD-UQAC and are consistently ranked alongside it in Animation Career Review's global rankings.
CalArts (California Institute of the Arts): CalArts offers world-renowned programs in character animation and experimental animation, making it a top global peer for specialized 3D/animation higher education.

Regional players

Université de Montréal (Département d'informatique et de recherche opérationnelle): Université de Montréal already collaborates with NAD-UQAC (e.g., on the Cold Sun game project) and offers computer science and digital design research relevant to game development.
Concordia University (Faculty of Fine Arts / Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema): Based in Montreal, Concordia offers university-level programs in animation, film studies, design, and computer science for games, overlapping with NAD-UQAC's 3D and game-creation programs in the same Quebec market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac

What does Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac do?

Is Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac a public or private company?

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac founded?

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac based?

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, in the North America region.

How does Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac make money?

Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Fees are the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Funding, continuing Education and Corporate Training and industry Partnerships and Sponsorships.

Who are Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Full Sail University, Vancouver Film School, Centre NAD (legacy) / Cégep de Jonquière, Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Gobelins, l'école de l'image, Ringling College of Art and Design and CalArts (California Institute of the Arts). Regional players are Université de Montréal (Département d'informatique et de recherche opérationnelle) and Concordia University (Faculty of Fine Arts / Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema).

Does Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac have an API?

No public API is recorded for Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac.

What industry is Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac in?

Nad, Ecole Des Arts Numeriques, De L'animation Et Du Design - Uqac's product category is Higher Education / Digital Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMACAE, Game Development (Unity, Unreal, 2D/3D). Its NAICS code is 61131 and its SIC code is 8200.