Overview

The BFA Program at California State University Long Beach has two tracks, Illustration and Animation. Students are able to take courses in both tracks, and work together in our digital lab, in addition to learning traditional skills:

Illustration:

Students in this track will take a series of courses to help them develop skills for the field of illustration.
Professional illustrators create work for a wide variety of applications. Some examples are: editorial work for magazines and newspapers, comics and graphic novels, textiles/clothing and the home and gift market, technical and biomedical illustration, entertainment (storyboards and visual development) and advertising.
Students will focus on building their skills in drawing, painting and conceptualizing to create strong work geared towards their area of interest using their particular strengths.

Animation:

Students in this track will focus specifically on creating a body of work involving moving images.
Examples include: a traditional hand-drawn animation reel, a 3D digital animation reel, an experimental animation reel (this refers to inventive non-traditional methods of animation using a variety of materials and methods, such as stop-motion animation), or a short animated film using any or all of the previously listed approaches.
Students making a film will write, design, storyboard and animate their own film.

Careers

Our program is founded on drawing from observation, and our graduates work in a variety of fields such as film and entertainment (gaming, animation and live action film), advertising, textiles, biomedical illustration, the gift market, educational illustration, architectural illustration, print publications (newspapers, magazines, graphic novels and books) and more.

Many alumni have distinguished themselves in visual journalism, in storyboarding for film and television, and in all aspects of editorial art as well as gallery exhibition.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Illustration
Production for Fine Art
Life Painting
Sequential Imagery
Drawing With Perspective
Animation
Graphic Design
Character Design
Visual Development
Storyboarding for Film and Television
Experimental Animation
Drawing: Figures in Context
Character Design
Professional Practices in Illustration/Animation
History of Animation
Advanced Studies in Color

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-01-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-10-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2026-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-11-30 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-04-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

IELTS

5.5

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PTE Academic

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TOEFL^® IBT

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Duolingo English Test

105

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Credits

132 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Long Beach, United States

Disciplines

Animation View 132 other Bachelors in Animation in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

5.5

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

Check IELTS test dates and locations. Book an IELTS test now!

Other requirements

General requirements

Complete each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements with a grade of C or higher prior to high school graduation.
Graduate from high school by the end of the Spring term prior to Fall enrollment.
All transcripts from all institutions attended
SAT/ACT scores

Graduates of California high schools and other California residents:

2.5 GPA or greater in college preparatory subjects, AND 3,200 minimum “CSULB Index” to be considered, for non-STEM major
a 3,600 minimum “STEM Index” for STEM majors. (Be aware this is higher than the minimum for CSU system-wide eligibility.)

Other non-California residents:

3.0 GPA or greater in college preparatory subjects, AND 3,500 minimum “CSULB Index” to be considered, for non-STEM major

a 3,600 minimum “STEM Index” for STEM majors.

Portfolio.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at California State University Long Beach and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

17430 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 17430 USD per year during 48 months.
National

17430 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 17430 USD per year during 48 months.
In-State

7378 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 7378 USD per year during 48 months.

Living costs for Long Beach

1400 - 2000 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Illustration and Animation.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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