Study in Europe › Denmark › VIA – The Animation Workshop

Bachelor in Character Animation

VIA University College (The Animation Workshop) · Viborg, Denmark

100% taught in EnglishApply via optagelse.dk (Quota 2), plus portfolio and admissions test set by The Animation Workshop, not the CAOPortfolio/auditionTuition-freePortfolio + testAnnual intake
Duration3 years 3 months
StartsAutumn 2027
EntryPortfolio/audition
Deadline (EU)15 Mar 2027
EU fee 2026/27No tuition fee

About the course

A studio-based animation degree taught in English. Year one focuses on 2D animation, including acting animation, storyboarding, layout and character design; year two moves into 3D animation and visual storytelling; the final part covers portfolio development, a final production, a 10-week internship at a production studio and a bachelor report.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Denmark accepts the Irish Leaving Certificate as an EU school-leaving qualification, but each programme can set specific subject requirements at Danish levels (A, B or C). The Animation Workshop does not publish a Leaving Cert mapping, so email VIA admissions (studieservice.info@via.dk) to ask which Higher Level subjects, if any, are needed.
  • Admission is talent-based. You submit a portfolio (the Character Animation portfolio requirements were recently updated) and every applicant must complete an admissions test. The school says it looks for excellent drawing and storytelling skills.
  • The English requirement is not stated on the programme pages. Danish programmes usually ask for English at the equivalent of Danish B level; ask VIA whether Leaving Cert English (and at what grade) is accepted instead of IELTS or TOEFL.

How to apply

  1. Build your portfolioRead the updated Character Animation portfolio requirements on The Animation Workshop’s How to apply pages and focus on drawing and storytelling. Start in autumn 2026.
  2. Apply on optagelse.dkSubmit your application by 15 March 2027, 12 noon Danish time, using your predicted Leaving Cert results.
  3. Portfolio and admissions testSubmit your portfolio and complete the admissions test by the dates the school gives you. Check the How to apply page for 2027 dates.
  4. Results and final gradesIf you are offered a place, upload your final Leaving Cert results when they come out in August, and arrange housing in Viborg before the course starts that month.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: Apply by 15 March, 12 noon Danish time, via optagelse.dk (Quota 2 for most international applicants), under programme code 50610 (Animation, Character Animation specialisation). The programme admits once a year and study starts in August in Viborg. All applicants must also complete an admissions test; the 2027 portfolio and test dates are not published yet, so check the How to apply page..

Costs

  • The programme page says EU/EEA students are exempt from tuition fees in Denmark, so Irish citizens pay nothing. You will need to budget for living costs and housing in Viborg.
Competition is intense: in 2025, 26 of 368 applicants got a place. Your portfolio and admissions test decide whether you get in, not CAO-style points, so start your drawing portfolio early. The 15 March deadline comes months before the Leaving Cert.

At a glance

CountryDenmark
CityViborg
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaoptagelse.dk (Quota 2), plus portfolio and admissions test set by The Animation Workshop
Places26 admitted out of 368 applicants in 2025
EntryPortfolio/audition
Programme page ↗How to apply ↗Portfolio requirements ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official VIA University College (The Animation Workshop) website: September 2026 (2027 entry). The deadline shown is the standing 15 March deadline from the programme page. The 2027 test dates and the English requirement are not published yet, so confirm them with the school. Always confirm details with the university before applying.