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VanArts (Vancouver Institute of Media Arts)

Written by  Vishesh Chogtu

Published on Sat, February 29, 2020 6:31 AM   Updated on Thu, September 3, 2020 5:01 PM   9 mins read

Founded in 1995, VanArts is one of the most reputed and respectable schools in the world. The founding program director is Lee Mishkin. He was won several awards in the field of animation. VanArts has been training students for careers in 2D & 3D Animation, Acting, Web Design, Visual Effects, Broadcasting, Game Art, and Photography. It offers 8 one-year diploma courses in the fields of Performing, Visual and Media Arts. 

The institute has been awarded an Education Quality Assurance (EQA) from British Columbia. It’s also certified by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of BC (PCTIA). The Bachelors’s and Masters’s programs are taught in this institute. It ranked #2 in 2020 for the top animation schools worldwide. This institute is the best place to be for students with a creative mind and a desire to excel. Their mission is to unlock the creativity in the students.

The professors and mentors are industry experts who have worked at firms like Disney, DreamWorks, ILM, among many others. It uses the latest technologies and software to teach the craft, such as Adobe CC, Harmony, Maya, among many others. The institute has strong industry networks, thereby ensuring placements for the students. 92% of the students are placed within 6months of graduation. The graduates are working and successful.

Other benefits of studying at VanArts are as follows – 

  1. VanArts has agreements with many well-known universities and colleges in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
  2. This allows students to pursue a second diploma or degree with 1-2years of additional study, in addition to their courses/studies at VanArts.
  3. After this, the graduate is eligible to apply for a work permit which may lead to Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
  4. VanArts offers various part-time and summer courses too.
  5. Partial scholarships are seldom provided, for certain intakes of the full-time diploma programs, based on the student’s strength of admission and application materials and the need for financial assistance.

VanArts Canada (Vancouver Institute of Media Arts) 

Located in the heart of Canada, this institute has a legacy of 25years. It has been training students for careers in 2D & 3D Animation, Acting, Web Design, Visual Effects, Broadcasting, Game Art, and Photography. The courses offered to shape the creativity of students such that they gain critical and practical knowledge of the subject matter and become successful in their respective careers.

The professors are experienced industry experts, who guide and mentor the students throughout the program. The preferred language of teaching is English. The class sizes are small, ensuring that individual attention and assistance is provided to students. Almost half the student body at the institute are international students, thereby making room for cultural exposure. On-campus hospitals and housing is available for students.

Why Vancouver, Canada? 

  1. Food, transit, and recreation facilities are at a walking distance from the campus, allowing students to explore Vancouver and look around for inspiration.
  2. The campus is located almost 3 blocks away from various transportation options, making accessibility convenient for all. 
  3. The cost of living is about 891-1475 USD per month. 
  4. Vancouver is filled with small and big studios, both local and multinational. Students can visit these and maybe work there in the future. 
  5. It’s a hub for the media industry, a place full of opportunities for all types of artists. 

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts – Fees

VanArts works towards making the courses affordable for students across the globe, rather than having high tuition fees. Sometimes, partial scholarships are provided, for certain intakes of the full-time diploma programs, based on the student’s strength of admission and application materials and the need for financial assistance. The fees range between Rs 12lakhs to Rs 20lakhs, depending on the course chosen by the student.

The payment schedule is as follows – 

  1. 10% deposit to be paid upon acceptance to hold the student’s seat.
  2. 40% to be paid 6weeks after the start date. 
  3. 50% to be paid by the end of Term 1, that is, 3months into the course. 

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts – Acceptance Rate 

To gain admission to the full-time diploma programs, the student should be a high school graduate or 19years of age. Portfolio submissions are mandatory and can be done through post or email. The portfolio should include 12 items of the student’s best artwork in any creative field or skill. A letter of intent has to be submitted as well. This is basically a single-page letter where the student is required to describe his career goals, why he chose VanArts and why has he chosen the particular program of study. The student is also required to submit his proof of age and resume. Applicants are required to submit their most recent secondary and post-secondary transcripts. Students may also be required to demonstrate their efficiency in English.

The acceptance rate is 98%. 

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts – Programs 

VanArts has been training students for careers in 2D & 3D Animation, Acting, Web Design, Visual Effects, Broadcasting, Game Art and Photography. It offers 8 one-year diploma courses in the fields of Performing, Visual and Media Arts. It uses the latest technologies and software to teach the craft, such as Adobe CC, Harmony, Maya, among many others. The academic calendar is based on semesters. It also offers various part-time and summer courses.

The programs offered by VanArts are as follows –

  1. Diploma in Visual Effects for Films and Television
  2. Diploma in 2D & 3D Character Animation
  3. Diploma in Digital Photography
  4. Diploma in Broadcasting for Radio and Television 
  5. Diploma in Acting for Film and Television
  6. Diploma in Game Art & Design
  7. Diploma in Web Development and Interactive Design

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts – International Students

Almost half the student body at the institute are international students, thereby making room for cultural exposure. On-campus hospitals and housing is available for students. Students are advised to apply for their visa immediately after receiving their Acceptance Letter. 3 weeks before the program starts, students should have their study permit and student visa approved. Students are advised to keep the institute informed of the visa status and application process. Some countries may require students to have the police and medical check before visa approval. VanArts recommends its students to use the services of a Regulated Immigration Consultant to help with the application process before making submissions to the Canadian Consulate.

There is a fee for the Visa/Student Authorization which is paid to Citizen and Immigration Canada. While applying for their study permits, students will require the following documents –

  1. Proof of citizenship
  2. The Designation Learning Institution (DLI) number
  3. An acceptance letter for the program of study 
  4. Evidence of financial aid during the study period
  5. Proof of prepaid tuition fees
  6. Evidence of returning back to the home country after course completion 

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts – Ranking 

VanArts is one of the most reputed and respectable schools in the world, having a legacy of 25years. The institute has been awarded an Education Quality Assurance (EQA) from British Columbia. It’s also certified by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of BC (PCTIA). Industry websites such as Animation Career Review have consistently ranked VanArts high in the annual list of Top Schools.

The rankings are as follows – 

  1. Its world rank is 11169
  2. Its continental rank is 2824
  3. Its country rank is 177
  4. It ranked #11 in the world and #1 in Western Canada for Top 100 Schools for Animation, Gaming, and Design in 2012
  5. It ranked #6 for the worlds Top 100 Animation Schools by Animation Career Review in 2014
  6. It ranked #8 in the Top 25 Animation Training Programs in Canada by Animation Career Review in 2017
  7. It ranked #5 in the Top 25 Animation Training Programs in Canada by Animation Career Review in 2018
  8. It ranked #3 in the Top 25 Animation Training Programs in Canada by Animation Career Review in 2019 
  9. It ranked #2 in the Top 25 Animation Training Programs in Canada by Animation Career Review in 2020

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts – Reviews 

The courses offered by VanArt shapes the creativity of students such that they gain critical and practical knowledge of the subject matter and become successful in their respective careers. This institute is the best place to be for students with a creative mind and a desire to excel. The institute has consistently ranked high by the Animation Career Review. Almost all students who have graduated from VanArts would recommend it to others. 

The reviews are as follows – 

  1. Suresh Padmaraj, and Animator, says that everyone at VanArts loves what they do, and this creates a great atmosphere to learn and create. His classmates gave him an amazing professional and cultural exposure. The constant support of his professors helped him excel in his field. He received credits for Deadpool 2, Fantastic Beasts, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, among many others.
  2. Abi Ferguson says that the course for Web development and Interactive Design was very beneficial and intensive. His professors guided him throughout, developing his professional and creative skills. He got a job within a week of graduating. 
  3. Jennifer Anne Kasun pursued the Acting for Film & Television course at VanArts. She says that her personal and professional growth is unparalleled. The instructors and classmates are very supportive. The program covers a wide range of disciplines, right from Shakespeare to Buffoonery. The lessons she learned will last a lifetime.
  4. Jacqueline Welbers pursued the Acting for Film & Television program. She says it was the best year of her life. Not only did she learn Theatre and TV, but also got to work with other departments such as Broadcasting, Animation, and Photography to learn about commercials, voiceovers, and motion captures. She constantly receives support from the teachers, new and former students.
  5. Tammy Duarte pursued the Web Development & Interactive Design program. He says that he loved the atmosphere at VanArts. The instructors are excellent and provide all the necessary equipment required. VanArts helped him with housing and various other problems faced by international students. 

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Vishesh Chogtu

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