Aardman Academy

What Aardman Academy does

Aardman Academy is the training division of Aardman Animations Ltd, a 100% employee-owned, independent UK animation studio founded in 1976. Established in 2000, the Academy delivers animation and film production training ranging from four-week online foundation courses (£310) to a 36-week in-person Stop Motion Filmmaking programme (£16,100). Course offerings span stop-motion animation, model making, storyboarding, CG character animation, puppet making, and scriptwriting, delivered online or at Aardman's Gas Ferry Road studios in Bristol, with a current team of 14 Academy staff.

The Academy's teaching model is built on instruction by active Aardman professionals (including BAFTA/Academy Award-nominated directors and senior craftspeople), small cohort sizes (16-55 students), weekly one-to-one mentoring, and a portfolio-based admission process. Technology stack centres on Dragonframe stop-motion capture software shipped to students with proprietary bespoke armatures. Revenue is generated from course fees (one-time payments with 3- and 6-month instalment plans), bespoke corporate training delivered at client sites or at Aardman studios, university partnership programmes, and Aardman-branded merchandise via Teemill. The Academy is not a degree-granting institution, distinguishing it from traditional university pathways.

In January 2026, Aardman became the first film company in the UK to be Ofsted-inspected under its own company name, receiving a Significant Progress rating across all categories. In June 2026, the Academy announced a two-year MFA Animation partnership with the Royal College of Art (RCA) for first intake in September 2027. The Academy serves individual learners, university students, creative professionals, educators, young people (ages 7-11 via Into Film), and enterprise clients including Netflix, BBC World Service, and the British Film Institute.

Name

Aardman Academy

Legal name

Aardman Animations Limited

Website

https://academy.aardman.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aardman Academy is the training division of employee-owned Aardman Animations, delivering animation and filmmaking courses ranging from short online foundations to a 36-week in-studio programme, serving aspiring animators, professionals, educators, and enterprise clients globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Primary revenue from paid courses ranging from 4-week foundation courses at £310 to 36-week Stop Motion Filmmaking at £16,100. Payment plans available for most courses.
2. Merchandise Sales: Official Aardman Academy merchandise including apparel, accessories sold through Teemill platform (sustainably made, printed on demand).
3. Bespoke Training Services: Custom training programmes built for businesses and organisations worldwide, delivered at Gas Ferry Road Studios or on-site.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Aardman Academy is the training division of Aardman Animations and delivers industry-led animation and film production training. Its offering spans short online foundation courses (Stop Motion Foundation, Model Making, Storyboarding, CG), 12-week online intensive courses (Stop Motion 1, Stop Motion 2, Scriptwriting Professional), in-person studio programmes at Gas Ferry Road in Bristol (Stop Motion Filmmaking, Stop Motion Professional, Puppet Making Professional, Lecturer Development), bespoke corporate training, and a free youth programme (Animate! with Aardman). All courses are taught by active Aardman production staff and emphasise practical, portfolio-based learning over academic theory.

Product overview

Aardman Academy is an educational training provider operated by Aardman Animations, offering a portfolio of animation and film production courses ranging from short four-week online foundation programmes to a 36-week in-studio filmmaking course. The offering spans online industry training courses (Stop Motion 1, Stop Motion 2, Scriptwriting Professional), in-person in-studio programmes (Stop Motion Filmmaking, Stop Motion Professional, Puppet Making Professional), core foundation courses (Stop Motion Foundation, Model Making Foundation, Storyboarding Foundation, CG Foundation), a Lecturer Development Programme for educators, bespoke corporate training, and the free Animate! with Aardman youth programme. A bursary scheme supports underrepresented learners. All courses are devised and delivered by Aardman studio professionals. The Academy is not a university and does not award accredited degrees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stop Motion 1 12-week online intensive stop-motion animation training focused on character body animation, mime and pantomime. Includes weekly live lectures with course lead Stuart Messinger, pre-recorded masterclasses, weekly assignments, 1-to-1 mentor feedback, and a private online community. Students receive a bespoke Academy Armature, Dragonframe software, Dragonframe controller, A-rig, maintenance tool and clay shipped to their home and kept on completion. Ideal for university students, self-taught animators and creative professionals.
• Stop Motion 2 12-week online advanced stop-motion course focused on full face and body character performance including lip-sync. Standalone course for animators with existing stop-motion experience; does not require Stop Motion 1 completion. Includes replacement mouth shapes, modelling clay, armature head, eyes and animator's tool kit shipped to students.
• Stop Motion Foundation Four-week online stop-motion foundation course with weekly practical masterclasses, weekly tasks, and online community. Covers core animation principles including timing, spacing, weight, anticipation and performance. No qualifications required; suitable for beginners and those seeking insider knowledge from industry professionals. Taught by Carmen Bromfield-Mason and Will Becher.
• Stop Motion Filmmaking 36-week in-person programme at Aardman's Gas Ferry Road studios covering the complete stop-motion film production pipeline: scriptwriting, story development, model making, pre-production and directing. Eight weeks of remote script work followed by six months of intensive in-studio production. Students develop their own short film with mentorship from Aardman's leading creative talent. Course lead Will Becher.
• Stop Motion Professional Five-week full-time in-person stop-motion character animation training at Aardman Studios, Bristol. Focuses on motion and emotion, spoken and non-verbal performance, comedy and story craft. Students develop an industry-relevant showreel. Includes a professional-grade training puppet and interview-based application process.
• Puppet Making Professional Five-week in-person course at Aardman Studios, Bristol teaching the Aardman approach to puppet creation. Covers design and sculpting, armature building using the bespoke Academy Armature, moulding and casting, thumbiness and texture, costuming and flexible puppet construction for animation.
• Scriptwriting Professional Eight-week online scriptwriting course for animation writers covering the complete process from initial concept to polished final draft. Delivered via live tutor sessions, student-led presentations, pre-recorded masterclasses, one-to-one mentor feedback and peer read-through sessions. Course fee includes a hybrid graduation event at Aardman's Gas Ferry Road studios.
• Model Making Foundation Four-week online model-making foundation course led by Aardman senior model maker Jim Parkyn. Covers sculpting, wire armature building, detailing and finishing through practical masterclasses and weekly hands-on tasks with an online community. No experience required.
• Storyboarding Foundation Four-week online storyboarding course taught by senior storyboard artist Jay Clarke (credits include The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs). Covers staging, composition, shot flow and visual continuity through practical masterclasses and weekly creative tasks with an online community.
• CG Foundation Four-week online CG character animation course taught by Aardman senior CG animators Dan Gerhardt and Eva Bennett. Requires prior Maya software experience. Covers Aardman's approaches to CG animation 'flair' and comedic performance. Students receive Aardman Academy dragon rig and ball rig assets for practice.
• Lecturer Development Programme Two-day in-person professional development programme for educators (lecturers, researchers, technicians, technical demonstrators) at Aardman's Gas Ferry Road studios. Bridges industry and education through masterclasses, workshops and behind-the-scenes insights. Limited to 16 participants per course.
• Animate! with Aardman Free online animation course for young people aged 7 to 11, created by Aardman and delivered through Into Film. Introduces key animation techniques and encourages creativity and problem-solving. Available free to UK schools and home educators. International availability by enquiry.
• Bespoke Training Customised animation training programmes designed for specific businesses or organisations worldwide. Aardman Academy staff develop flexible, bespoke courses tailored to client needs, delivered at Gas Ferry Road Studios or on-site. Includes masterclasses, mentorships, short courses, day workshops and supported forums.
• SM1&2 Bursary Bursary programme offering three fully funded places on Stop Motion 1 or Stop Motion 2 online courses, funded by the Aardman Academy Alumni Community. Targeted at individuals underrepresented in the animation industry including those from low-income backgrounds, global majority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+, disabled or neurodivergent applicants, and those facing geographic or career-barrier disadvantages.
• RCA / Aardman Academy MFA Animation Programme Two-year MFA Animation postgraduate programme developed in partnership with the Royal College of Art. Students spend three terms at RCA's London studios and two terms in a professional residency at Aardman's Bristol facilities, receiving mentorship from RCA and Aardman professionals with access to stop-motion shooting, multiplane cameras, sound/music mixing suites, computer labs and edit suites. First intake planned September 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• Same teaching weeks as standard Masters Degree in Stop Motion Filmmaking (36 weeks in-studio)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Royal College of Art (RCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2026Launch of new two-year MFA Animation programme combining RCA's academic expertise with Aardman's studio practice. Students split time between RCA's London studios (3 terms) and Aardman's Bristol facilities (2 terms professional residency). Mentorship from professional animators at both organisations. First intake planned September 2027.
• University of Texas at Dallas (experimental.l. animation lab)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing tailored events and feedback sessions for undergraduate and graduate students at Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (BAHT). Animation lab encourages experimentation via various techniques and interfaces.
• The Northern School of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading UK provider of specialist creative art and design courses with Industry Liaison Groups including Visiting Fellows and Associate Lecturers. Partnership supports students with high satisfaction rates (91% in 2022).
• UWE BristolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBA(Hons) and MA Animation courses with international reputation. MA Animation accredited by ScreenSkills. Partnership with Aardman Academy enhances industry connections and studio practice exposure.
• University of WestminsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimation department at Westminster achieved partnership status, offering students greater insights into professional practice through stop frame animation focus.
• University of Canterbury (New Zealand)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-year exclusive agreement making University of Canterbury the only institution in New Zealand and Pacific Territories to specialise in Aardman stop-motion. Aardman courses integrated into Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours degree through Kōawa initiative.
• ScreenSkillscoreOthersRecognised as an industry training provider by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for UK screen industries. Validates training quality against industry standards.
• Creative AccesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UK-based social enterprise facilitating access to creative industries for those from under-represented communities. Supports Academy's commitment to inclusive training.
• Into FilmminorStrategic or Co-development Partner'Animate! with Aardman' free online animation course for ages 7-11, created by Aardman and delivered through Into Film platform. Available free to UK schools and home educators.
• Golden WolfminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBespoke animation training delivered to animation studio team.
• BBC World ServiceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBespoke training workshops delivered to BBC World Service team.
• NetflixminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBespoke animation training services for Netflix animation team.
• English HeritageminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBespoke workshops delivered to English Heritage team.
• British Film InstituteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership and bespoke workshop delivery for BFI.
• PAFF! (Palazzo del Fumetto)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBespoke animation training delivered to PAFF! team.
• National Talent Academy (Ireland)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnimation training partnership with National Talent Academy for Ireland.
• Screen Queensland (Australia)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBespoke training programmes delivered in Australia through Screen Queensland.
• View Conference (Italy)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnimation training partnership with View Conference, Italy.
• Calling the ShotsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for animation training with Calling the Shots.
• Coleg GwentminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFurther education partnership for animation training at Coleg Gwent.
• West of England Music and ArtsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional partnership with West of England Music and Arts.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gobelins, l'école de l'image: French premier animation school with strong industry pipeline into major studios. Directly comparable as a specialized, industry-led animation training provider with premium postgraduate offerings, serving aspiring animators globally.
• Escape Studios: UK-based animation and VFX training provider offering industry-led short courses and postgraduate programmes. Comparable in business model, UK location, industry-led delivery, and similar price-point professional courses for aspiring animators.
• National Film and Television School (NFTS): UK's premier postgraduate film school offering animation, directing, and production courses. Comparable as a UK-based, industry-led film and animation training institution at the postgraduate level, with similar elite-prestige positioning.
• The Animation Workshop: Danish animation school renowned for industry-connected training. Comparable as a specialized European animation training institution with strong studio links and a similar mix of foundational and professional-level programmes.

Broad incumbents

• School of Visual Arts (SVA): NYC art and design school with animation and film programmes. Comparable as a creative-industries training institution serving aspiring animators, though offers a broader portfolio of visual arts disciplines with degree accreditation.
• Vancouver Film School: Canadian entertainment-industry school with animation and film production programmes. Comparable for its industry-led training model and focus on screen careers, though broader across entertainment disciplines and larger in scale.
• MasterClass: High-end online education platform featuring celebrity-taught creative courses. Comparable as a premium-priced creative-education brand at scale, but contrasting in delivery (pre-recorded streaming vs. Aardman's live cohort-based instruction) and not animation-specialized.
• Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg: German film school with a renowned Animationsinstitut covering animation, VFX, and interactive media. Comparable as a European animation training institution with strong industry links, though broader across film disciplines.
• Sheridan College: Canadian college with a renowned animation programme producing graduates for major studios. Comparable as a specialized animation training provider, though operates within a broader academic college structure with degree accreditation.
• CalArts: California Institute of the Arts with one of the most prestigious character animation programmes globally. Comparable as an established animation training institution, though broader in scope (music, theatre, fine arts) and degree-accredited rather than industry-tied.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/aardman-academy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Aardman Academy