The Animation summer course at the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) introduces students to visual storytelling and animation production in a collaborative studio environment.

At NSLC's Animation programme, students dive into the creative process of bringing characters, stories and worlds to life on screen. Through interactive workshops and a collaborative studio simulation, participants will use industry-standard tools to design characters, build environments and storyboard scenes, applying the same techniques used in leading animation studios to their own original work.

The course explores visual storytelling through immersive workshops and studio projects that mirror real-world production, combining design, timing and story to create original animated scenes in a collaborative studio setting.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how animators build emotion and movement frame-by-frame.

Industry insights are provided through interactions with guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds, bringing practical knowledge and real-world experiences to the Animation course.

The programme goes beyond the classroom, offering a new perspective on animation through field trips that uncover how the industry works behind the scenes. A mix of educational and sightseeing tours allows participants to explore the city surrounding the university.

Each NSLC programme contains a leadership curriculum designed to teach skills that can apply to all areas of life. Workshops on personality styles, communication and listening, resilience and empathy set the foundation for a successful future, no matter where it may lead.

School: National Student Leadership Conference
Course: Animation
Type: Pre-university
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Course dates: June to July 2026
Application deadline: 12 May 2026

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Storyboarding
– Character design
– Environment development
– Utilising industry-standard software

What are the requirements?

– Average grade: B
– Recommendation from a school educator

What facilities and resources are available?

– On-campus housing and dining are included in the programme tuition fees

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Students will gain a better understanding of careers in animation, while interactions with professionals in the field will provide insight into career path progression as well as available jobs and internships.

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