Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts

What Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts does

Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts (CADA) is a private, for-profit educational institution founded in 1998 and headquartered at Nyropsgade 23 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The school delivers project-based 3D, VFX, animation, and game-art training through three core programme tiers: a 3.5-year onsite 3D Digital Artist diploma that can be combined with a BA (Hons) via dual enrolment at Abertay University; two 60-week online certificate programmes in Games and in Film & Animation priced at DKK 74,900; and a stack of short online courses (3D Animation Essentials at €399-1,199, 3D Portfolio Essentials from DKK 1,490, Unreal Engine for Filmmaking at DKK 15,240). Curriculum is built around industry-standard tools — Unreal Engine, Houdini, Blender, Maya, ZBrush, and Nuke — and is taught entirely by active industry professionals from studios such as Pixar, ILM, Ghost VFX, Framestore, and Rockstar Games.

The business model is tuition-driven across onsite, online, and self-paced formats. Onsite diploma tuition ranges from DKK 339,500 (diploma, full payment) to DKK 377,200 (bachelor, full payment), with monthly, semi-annual, and annual payment plans; Danish SU state support reduces effective student cost. A free weekly Blender bootcamp on YouTube and Wednesday livestreams act as the top-of-funnel acquisition channel, feeding prospective students into student counsellor meetings and a structured admissions funnel that includes portfolio review and motivational letter. Marketing combines open-house events, content marketing through alumni spotlights, and HubSpot-driven email automation. Customers are individual students globally, with a secondary employer-customer segment in games and VFX studios that hire CADA graduates; documentable placements include Pixar (Lead Rigger), Rockstar Games (Principal Technical Artist), Ghost VFX, SYBO, and IO Interactive.

In 2024, CADA secured designations as an Epic Games Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center and a SideFX Houdini Certified School Partner, and re-launched its online certificate and short-course stack to scale globally. The institution was previously operated under the Truemax / Truemax Copenhagen Academy brand and is currently founder-led by Mohannad Fahmi, with Adam Mayes as Head of Education and Christian Ballund as Principal. The 2026 intake for the main 3D Digital Artist programme has been paused pending renewal of SU approval through the Danish Agency of Higher Education and Science, while certificate programmes remain open.

Name

Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts

Legal name

Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts

Website

https://cada-edu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts (CADA) is a private Danish school founded in 1998 that provides project-based 3D, VFX, animation, and game-art training via a 3.5-year onsite diploma, 60-week online certificates, and short courses, taught by working industry professionals and accredited through Epic Games and SideFX.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Arts Vocational Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAMACAE

Game Development (Unity, Unreal, 2D/3D)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Coding & Computer Science Programs

SECONDARYEDAFAJAL

Creator Tools & Content Pipelines for Immersive Learning (VR lesson builders, 3D asset workflows)

Education/Education Technology (EdTech) & Digital Learning/AR/VR/XR, Simulations & Immersive Learning

SECONDARYEDACAIAB

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses)

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Teacher Training & Professional Development

Keywords

• 3D digital arts education
• VFX animation training
• Game development courses
• Visual effects school
• Virtual production programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - 3D Digital Artist Programme: Annual tuition for the 3.5-year onsite 3D Digital Artist programme ranges from DKK 339,500 (diploma, full payment) to DKK 377,200 (bachelor, full payment). Payment plans available: monthly (DKK 9,200-10,120/month), semi-annual (DKK 52,300-57,700/term), or annual (DKK 119,500-132,000/year).
2. Online Certificate Programmes: 60-week online certificate programmes in Games Development and Film & Animation priced at DKK 74,900 full payment, DKK 25,900 per term (3 terms), or DKK 6,750 per month (12 months).
3. Short Online Courses: Individual short courses including 3D Animation Essentials (€399-1,199 depending on tier), 3D Portfolio Essentials (from DKK 1,490), and Unreal Engine for Filmmaking (DKK 15,240).
4. Free 3D Bootcamp: Free weekly online bootcamp in Blender serving as a top-of-funnel entry point to drive enrolments into paid programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts (CADA) is a private 3D, VFX, animation, and games school that delivers a multi-tiered educational ecosystem anchored by a 3.5-year onsite 3D Digital Artist Diploma/BA (Hons) programme (with dual enrolment through Abertay University). This is complemented by two 60-week online certificate programmes in Games and Film & Animation, a free weekly online Blender bootcamp, and short online courses covering 3D animation, portfolio development, and Unreal Engine for filmmaking. Tuition is delivered via structured curricula using industry-standard tools (Unreal Engine, Houdini, Blender, Maya, ZBrush, Nuke), taught by active industry professionals with project-based learning and direct career placement support.

Product overview

Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts (CADA) is a 3D, VFX, and Animation school in Copenhagen offering a ecosystem of educational programs. The primary offering is the 3.5-year onsite 3D Digital Artist Diploma/Bachelor degree (in partnership with Abertay University) for careers in games, animation, and VFX. This is complemented by two 60-week online certificate programs: the Games Certificate Program and the Film & Animation Certificate Program. Short courses include the free Online 3D Bootcamp (weekly live stream), 3D Animation Essentials, 3D Portfolio Essentials, and Unreal Engine for Filmmaking. Continuing education options are also available. The certificate programs operate independently of the SU review process affecting the main degree program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3D Digital Artist Programme (Diploma / BA Hons Degree) A 3.5-year onsite diploma programme in Copenhagen developing skills for careers in games, animation, and VFX. Combines practical hands-on learning with theoretical foundation and personal mentorship; students may dual-enrol in Abertay University's accredited BA (Hons) degree. Includes an internship semester.
• Games Certificate Programme A 60-week online certificate programme in game development taking students from beginner to creating work suitable for junior positions, internships, or further education. Operates independently of the SU review process affecting the diploma programme.
• Film & Animation Certificate Programme A 60-week online certificate programme for film and animation careers. Takes students from fundamentals to creating industry-ready work for junior positions, internships, or further education. Operates independently of the SU review process.
• 3D Animation Essentials An online course teaching 3D animation fundamentals using Blender, from basic principles to advanced body mechanics and walk cycles. Includes 14 modules, lifetime course access, animation community, and optional 1:1 mentorship. Tiered pricing (Basic €399, Advanced €949, Pro €1,199) with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
• 3D Portfolio Essentials Online course focused on building a professional 3D portfolio. Priced from DKK 1,490.
• Unreal Engine for Filmmaking Online course teaching Unreal Engine for filmmaking and virtual production. Priced at DKK 15,240.
• Free 3D Bootcamp A free weekly online live-stream bootcamp teaching 3D fundamentals including sculpting, modeling, texturing, and animation using Blender. Held every Wednesday at 20:00 CET. Serves as the institution's top-of-funnel acquisition channel.
• Continuing Education (Efteruddannelse) Continuing education courses in digital arts for individuals and companies seeking to strengthen existing skills or acquire new ones. Customisable for individual learners or corporate clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• CADA graduates are hired by major studios including Pixar, Rockstar Games, Ghost VFX, Framestore, SYBO, IO Interactive, and Trixter
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Epic Games / Unreal EnginecoreTechnology or IntegrationCADA is an Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center, recognised by Epic Games. The partnership provides access to official resources, training materials, and support from Epic, further enhancing the quality and relevance of the curriculum. Unreal Engine is central to CADA's 3D Digital Artist education for real-time 3D environments, game development, and virtual production.
• SideFX (Houdini)coreTechnology or IntegrationCADA is a Houdini Certified School Partner, certified by SideFX. The certification follows a review process involving judges from several major studios and recognises the strength of the 3D Digital Artist education, quality of student work, and commitment to teaching procedural workflows meeting the demands of today's creative industries.
• Abertay UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCADA offers dual enrolment with Abertay University, allowing students to earn an internationally recognised BA (Hons) degree alongside their CADA 3D Digital Artist education. Students who wish to enrol in the Abertay BA programme must have a high school GPA of 7 or higher on the Danish Grading Scale. The partnership combines CADA's flexibility with the prestige of an accredited degree.
• Norwegian Film SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix CADA students participated in a virtual production workshop for production design and photography students at the Norwegian Film School, in collaboration with the international research project VIPROS (Virtual Production Studies). CADA students designed the virtual exterior of New Orleans in Unreal Engine for a workshop themed 'New Orleans after Katrina'.
• VIPROS (Virtual Production Studies)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn international research project on Virtual Production Studies in which both CADA and the Norwegian Film School participate. CADA contributes students and expertise in virtual production and Unreal Engine, while the project provides students with collaborative international project experience and exposure to production design workflows.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rubika: France-headquartered specialist school (with campuses in India and Canada) focused on animation, game art, and 3D VFX. Comparable to CADA on curriculum specialisation and employer-focused outcomes.
• Think Tank Training Centre: Vancouver-based specialist school in 3D animation, VFX, and game design with a mentor-driven, project-based model. Directly comparable to CADA on curriculum, instructor profile (working professionals), and career-outcome positioning.
• Vancouver Film School (VFS): Specialist entertainment-media school with intensive one-year programs in 3D Animation, VFX, and Game Design. Comparable to CADA in targeting career-changers with intensive project-based curricula taught by industry practitioners.
• Digital Arts & Entertainment — Howest University: Belgian (EU) bachelor programme in 3D animation, VFX, and game development with strong studio reputation across Europe. Closest continental EU peer to CADA in programme design, EU-degree structure, and industry placement.
• Escape Studios (Pearson College London): UK-based specialist provider of degrees and short courses in VFX, games, and animation, taught by industry professionals and tightly connected to London studios. Direct curriculum and business-model overlap with CADA's online and onsite tracks.
• Gnomon — School of Visual Effects, Games + Animation: Los Angeles-based specialist school offering programs in 3D, VFX, games, and animation with industry-professional instructors. Highly comparable to CADA in curriculum focus, instructor model, and target student (aspiring digital artists seeking studio careers).
• The Animation Workshop (VIA University College): Danish animation/VFX school with strong studio reputation. Operates in the same domestic market as CADA and competes for the same Nordic applicants across animation, VFX, and games specialisations.

Broad incumbents

• Full Sail University: Large US private college with dedicated tracks in Computer Animation, Game Design, and Film/VFX. Offers broader program portfolio but overlaps with CADA on the 3D-artist-for-games-and-VFX pathway at a similar premium price point.

Emerging players

• iAnimate: Online animation school with workshops and feature-based programs taught by studio professionals. Overlaps with CADA's advanced 3D animation short-course portfolio and instructor profile.
• CG Spectrum / CGMA (Rising Phoenix Learning): Online specialist school offering mentored certificates in 3D animation, VFX, and games with working-studio instructors. Most comparable to CADA's online certificate and short-course tracks; competes for the same global online learner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cada-edu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cada-edu

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts