Illustration

Our Illustration course is recognised internationally for its high calibre, creatively diverse, professionally distinct and independent graduates. It starts with the exploration of visual language and develops your understanding of the discipline intellectually, as well as practically.

Course structure

You can choose to take a three-year BA(Hons) degree or a four-year MDes integrated masters-level qualification.

Year 1 introduces you to the basic concepts of visual communication in illustration. Through a series of studio projects and workshops in drawing (life and observational), printmaking, photography and book arts, you will begin to develop your own visual language.

Year 2 introduces the key concepts of sequential communication with a focus on self-initiated, collaborative, experimental and independent ways of working. You will also begin to explore the creative industries via a personal and professional development programme.

In year 3 you build upon the creative and analytical abilities you have developed. Teaching encourages greater personal ownership as you move towards a more self-directed programme of study. You will work on set and self-initiated projects, prestigious competition briefs and live industry projects, whilst establishing professional practice links.

In year 4 you will establish an advanced awareness of the professional world through working with practitioners and industry specialists. This will be within a framework of in depth research activity that will inform your practice. The emphasis is on themes - personal, commercial and professional - that relate to your research, work and ideas.

Career and progression opportunities

Our graduates are working across the diverse range of disciplines within the contemporary creative industries. You may choose to work as a freelance practitioner employed by the newspaper and magazine publishing industries, design consultancies and advertising agencies, as well as to establish your own portfolio of work as an exhibiting artist, working as an individual or as part of a studio collective. Many graduates go onto postgraduate studies. Recent employers of our graduates include Macmillan, Becks and Channel 4.

Requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary

A-levels:
will not normally provide sufficient grounding without a subsequent foundation diploma.

ND/C (Level 3):
Art and Design. DMM.

International Baccalaureate:
will not normally provide sufficient grounding without a subsequent foundation diploma.

QAA-approved access course:
acceptable; subject-specific units.

GCSE (minimum grade C):
a good profile.

For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, 6.0 in writing.

Other:
Art and Design Foundation Diploma or equivalent. Interview and portfolio review. Direct entry to year 3 requires a foundation degree or DipHE in related subjects, or practical or professional experience. Direct entry to year 4 requires an honours degree or equivalent in related subject, and prior work or creative practical experience. You must demonstrate ability to work at postgraduate level.

Mode of Attendance : Full - time