# UK CG training
Learn 3D, VFX, animation, and motion graphics.
Independent UK reviews of Blender, Maya, Houdini, Unreal Engine, Escape Studios, CGMA, and every serious CG course in 2026. Read before you spend a pound.
01 Independent editorial
02 UK salary + career context
03 Affiliate-disclosed on every review
04 Updated 2026
# academies / cgma vs animation mentor
CGMA vs Animation Mentor: which is better in 2026?
Two US mentor-led academies aimed at UK learners with a career target and a budget. CGMA is broader (VFX, environments, characters, FX). Animation Mentor is deeper on character animation. Here is the honest split for a UK learner in 2026.
# TL;DR
- Pick CGMA if: you want VFX, environment art, character sculpt, hard-surface modelling or FX. Broader syllabus, per-course structure, £550 to £790 per 10-week term.
- Pick Animation Mentor if: you want feature-quality character animation and nothing else. Deeper, longer, more expensive at £1,600 per term.
- Skip both if: you want a UK-in-person diploma or a student-loan-eligible BA. See Escape Studios or UK universities.
- Total spend to portfolio-ready: CGMA £3,000 to £5,500 across 4 to 8 courses. Animation Mentor £11,000+ for the full character track.
Recommended: CGMA for breadth, Animation Mentor for character Verified 2026-01
Six-point rubric.
| Criterion | Score /10 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum breadth (CGMA) | 9 | VFX, environments, characters, hard-surface, concept, FX, tech art. |
| Curriculum breadth (Animation Mentor) | 5 | Character animation. That is the offer. |
| Character depth (CGMA) | 7 | Solid, taught by Pixar / DreamWorks alumni. |
| Character depth (Animation Mentor) | 10 | Deepest character animation track anywhere. Pixar-alumni bench. |
| Price per course | 8 | CGMA cheaper per term (£550–£790). AM higher (£1,600). |
| UK learner fit | 7 | Both async-friendly, both recognised at UK studios via portfolio. |
Price transparency.
CGMA runs at £550 to £790 per 10-week course. A focused stack (4 courses in one discipline) lands at £2,200 to £3,200. Animation Mentor’s full 6-term character track is roughly £11,000, but the payment plan spreads across the 18-month duration. Both are cheaper than Escape Studios (£8,900+) and both let you keep your day job. That is often the deciding factor for a UK learner.
Honest weaknesses.
- Both are US-based and priced in USD. Watch the exchange rate before you commit.
- Neither is UK-employer-recognised as a formal qualification. Both are portfolio pipelines, not certifications.
- Animation Mentor’s full character track takes 18 months. Budget that time realistically.
- CGMA’s per-course model means you have to design your own path. No hand-holding.
Alternatives to consider.
- CG Spectrum: Australian online diploma, £4,800 to £6,400, cohort structure, part-time viable.
- Escape Studios: London-in-person, £8,900+, direct Soho VFX / animation pipeline.
- Bournemouth NCCA: UK BA, student-loan eligible, strong UK network.