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    In-person Programme

    Animation

    by National Student Leadership Conference

    A hands-on pre-college programme where students develop 2D animation, visual storytelling and studio-production skills through workshops and collaborative projects.

    Last verified: 4 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    Animation

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    Animation Summer Programme at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Past

    Eligibility

    High-school students

    Age range / Year group

    14-18

    Location / Region

    UCLA, Los Angeles

    Cost

    $4,495

    Duration

    9 days

    Format

    In-person residential

    Next deadline

    Not announced

    See similar programmes
    ArtDesignFilmMedia Studies

    Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitories

    Meals: Campus dining included

    Campus experience: Workshops, trips and residential life

    Main output: Original animated pitch deck

    Animation Summer Programme summary

    Students learn how animated projects move from character and environment design through storyboarding, pitching and production.

    The programme combines professional 2D software practice with a collaborative studio simulation and creative-career guidance.

    It suits students who want structured, hands-on exposure to animation and are comfortable collaborating on an intensive residential experience.

    What is Animation?

    The Animation programme is a pre-college creative experience run by the National Student Leadership Conference. Students explore how characters, environments and stories are developed for the screen using professional-style production methods.

    Interactive workshops cover digital drawing, visual development, storyboarding and pitching. A collaborative studio simulation brings these strands together as teams create an original concept and experience roles including art direction, character design, writing and marketing.

    Why Succeed highlights Animation Summer Programme

    • Students use Clip Studio Paint and Toon Boom Harmony to practise professional 2D animation techniques.

    • The studio simulation connects individual creative skills to a realistic team-production workflow.

    • Students produce characters, storyboards, environments and a marketing plan for an original pitch deck.

    • Industry speakers and possible visits to studios, art colleges and film institutions add useful career context.

    • Leadership workshops develop communication, listening, resilience and empathy alongside creative practice.

    Who is Animation Summer Programme for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy drawing, visual storytelling and team projects and want to test animation as a possible study or career direction.

    Not ideal if

    You want a specialist solo portfolio course, formal animation qualification or non-residential programme.

    Is Animation Summer Programme worth it?

    The programme can be worthwhile for students who want concentrated exposure to several parts of animation production rather than a narrow software tutorial. Its strongest value lies in connecting creative practice, teamwork, industry context and residential campus experience.

    The fee is substantial, and a nine-day programme cannot replace sustained portfolio development or a longer technical course. Families should weigh the included residential experience and trips against lower-cost local or online routes into animation.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $4,495; includes Residential campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation.

    Accommodation

    Supervised campus dormitories

    Meals

    Campus dining included

    Provider details

    Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    9 days; UCLA, Los Angeles.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programmes

    How much preparation does Animation Summer Programme need?

    Effort level

    High-intensity short programme.

    Best started

    Begin planning two to three months before a future session, allowing time for enrolment, payment and residential travel arrangements.

    Main challenge

    Turning varied team contributions into one coherent animated concept.

    Typical preparation

    • Practise basic digital drawing and organise a small selection of creative work for your own reference.

    • Explore simple character, environment and storyboard exercises before arrival.

    • Discuss residential travel, dietary needs and payment planning early with a parent or guardian.

    Useful if

    You already enjoy sketching, storytelling or digital creative work.

    What do students do on Animation Summer Programme?

    Students build an animation concept from early visual ideas through storyboarding and pitching while rotating through practical and collaborative activities.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Learn 2D drawing and animation techniques using professional software.

    2. 2

      Sketch characters and environments that establish an animated world's visual identity.

    3. 3

      Map scenes through storyboards focused on action, camera angles, pacing and composition.

    4. 4

      Work in a team studio role to shape an original series or film concept.

    5. 5

      Assemble characters, environments, storyboards and marketing ideas into a pitch deck.

    6. 6

      Explore creative-career skills including pitching, freelancing and portfolio development.

    7. 7

      Take part in leadership workshops and industry-focused trips or talks.

    Animation Summer Programme dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Accepted while programme or waitlist space remains.

    Reference date
    Get next-cycle reminder

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Ages 14-18

    • Completed at least one high-school year

    • Current high-school students

    • Attendance allowed through summer after graduation

    • Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged

    How much does Animation Summer Programme cost?

    Programme fee

    $4,495 — Verified 2026 residential tuition.

    Funding or discounts

    • Scholarships: Usually $500-$1,000 — Financial need is required; awards offset tuition.
    • Payment plans: Monthly payments — Available without an additional fee in the verified cycle.

    What's included

    Residential campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation

    How to apply to Animation Summer Programme

    1. 1

      Create an NSLC ID or use an existing one in the enrolment portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the online application with the student's personal and school information.

    3. 3

      Choose an available Animation session at UCLA.

    4. 4

      Place the required deposit by credit or debit card, or arrange payment by check.

    5. 5

      Review the student account for confirmed travel, packing and programme information.

    What does Animation Summer Programme cover?

    The programme covers the following focus areas.

    Animation software

    Practise 2D drawing and frame-by-frame animation with Clip Studio Paint and Toon Boom Harmony.

    Visual development

    Design characters and environments that establish the visual language of an original world.

    Storyboarding

    Plan action, camera angles, pacing, composition and visual flow scene by scene.

    Studio simulation

    Collaborate in production roles to create an original animated film or series pitch deck.

    Business of the arts

    Explore pitching, marketing, portfolio development, freelancing and creative-career pathways.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    Who teaches on Animation Summer Programme?

    Programme workshops are supplemented by guest speakers from varied industry backgrounds who share practical knowledge and professional experience. Specific speakers may differ between sessions.

    The programme page presents past guest speakers rather than guaranteeing named speakers for future sessions.

    Where do students stay on Animation Summer Programme?

    Residential plan

    • Campus housing: All students live in supervised campus dormitories.
    • Roommates: The residential experience includes living with roommates.
    • Meals: On-campus meals are provided through campus dining services.
    • Student supervision: Team Advisors accompany daytime groups and live on student floors overnight.
    • Campus experience: Students use university classrooms and learn to navigate a college campus.

    NSLC operates the programme on the UCLA campus but is not sponsored by UCLA.

    What happens after Animation Summer Programme?

    After completing this programme, participants often pursue:

    Develop animation work for a wider creative portfolio.

    Test animation before choosing a college major or career pathway.

    Build experience in character design, storyboarding and visual development.

    Practise creative pitching, marketing and collaborative studio roles.

    Use programme experiences as material for later applications and interviews.

    The programme is exploratory and does not itself constitute a professional animation qualification.

    Where does Animation Summer Programme take place?

    The programme runs on the University of California, Los Angeles campus in Los Angeles, California. Its location supports animation-focused visits that may include Warner Bros. Studio, CalArts, LCAD and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

    NSLC is not sponsored by UCLA, and individual trips may vary.

    Animation Summer Programme FAQs

    Students learn 2D animation using Clip Studio Paint and Toon Boom Harmony, practising professional drawing, design and frame-by-frame animation techniques.

    Students develop characters, environments, storyboards and animated scenes. Teams combine this work with a marketing plan in an original pitch deck for a film or series.

    Yes. Students live in supervised campus dormitories, receive on-campus meals and take part in a wider university-campus experience.

    Published inclusions cover housing, on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, trips, tours, activities and transportation for off-campus programme events.

    Yes. Campus dining services can accommodate dietary allergies and restrictions when families complete the relevant preferences in the student profile.

    NSLC offers scholarships based on financial need, with academic record and school or community involvement also considered. Most published awards are between $500 and $1,000.

    College credit is not included in the residential programme. An optional separate one-credit online American University course is available for an additional tuition payment.

    Students stay in supervised dormitories. Team Advisors accompany smaller groups during the day, serve as Resident Advisors on student floors and are supported by an on-site administrative team.

    Alternatives to Animation Summer Programme

    Compare these creative programmes if you want a broader art, design, film or digital-production focus.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • NSLC Enrollment Portal
    • UCLA High School Summer Programs | NSLC | Los Angeles
    • Youth Leadership Programs | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Explore Animation | National Student Leadership Conference

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 4 Aug 2026)

    • Programme details checked

    • Dates and tuition reviewed

    • Eligibility confirmed

    • Residential arrangements reviewed

    • Application process checked

    • Scholarships and refunds reviewed

    • Images checked for relevance

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.