Want to work in animation? Here's what you need to know

From showreels to salaries, here’s what animation students need to know before entering the industry.

Picture this: you’re in a cinema. A character hears life-changing news. No dialogue—just a subtle shift in their expression. You feel it instantly.

That moment didn’t happen by accident. An animator built it, frame by frame, until it felt real.

If you’re studying animation, or thinking about it, that’s the level of craft you’re working towards. But understanding the work is only part of the picture. You also need to understand the industry you’re stepping into.

Animation isn’t just film and TV

When people think of animation, they often think of major studios. But most animators don’t work there.

Animation is used across:

• Advertising and branding
• Social media and digital campaigns
• Games and interactive media
• Broadcast graphics and title sequences
• Education, healthcare and public information

Any organisation that needs to explain, promote or engage visually is likely using animation in some form.

For graduates, this means more entry points, and more ways to build a career, than the traditional “studio pipeline”.

There's more than one career path

Animation is really a collection of specialist roles.

You might move into:

• Character animation – performance, acting and storytelling
• Motion graphics – brand, marketing and broadcast content
• VFX and technical roles – combining animation with coding and systems
• Storyboarding and development – shaping ideas before production begins

The key is identifying where your strengths sit early, so you can build relevant skills and portfolio work.

Your showreel will matter

Employers don’t hire based on certificates. They hire based on what you can do.

Your showreel should:

• Be short (60–90 seconds)
• Lead with your strongest work
• Focus on quality over quantity
• Show clear understanding of movement, timing and intent

Three strong pieces will carry more weight than ten average ones.

And crucially: don’t wait until your final year. Build your showreel from the start of your course. Use briefs, personal projects and collaborations to test your skills and improve quickly.

What can I earn?

Salaries vary depending on role and location, but as a general guide in the UK:

• Junior roles: ~£22,000–£28,000
• Mid-level: ~£30,000–£45,000
• Senior / specialist roles: higher, depending on expertise

Freelance work is common, particularly in motion graphics and commercial animation. Many animators combine freelance projects with studio work.

London remains a major hub, but cities like Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh also have strong creative industries. Remote work is increasingly common, especially for digital production roles.

Where UEL fits in

If you want to study animation in London, your environment matters as much as your course.

At the University of East London, the BA (Hons) Animation is designed to reflect how the industry actually works. You’ll develop practical skills through hands-on projects, collaborate on films, and learn from practitioners with current industry experience.

Based in the Royal Docks, UEL places you within reach of London’s creative industries - studios, agencies and events - while offering a campus setting with on-site accommodation and strong transport links.

A career in animation is achievable - but it rewards people who start early, stay curious, and take their development seriously.

Focus on your craft. Build your showreel continuously. Put your work into the world.