Program Overview

Master of Illustration

The Master of Illustration (MIllust) is a postgraduate degree that enables students to develop their illustration practice and visual style through real-world projects. This degree is available both on campus and by distance study, full-time and part-time.

Introduction

The Master of Illustration is designed to help students adapt their practice to a wide range of illustration contexts. The program emphasizes visual storytelling and narrative development, preparing students to communicate powerfully in their chosen profession. Students will be encouraged to think critically, engage with cultural and ethical questions, and reflect meaningfully on their creative practice and the role of illustration in the world.

What Will My Study Involve?

The Master of Illustration program involves developing illustration practice and visual style with courses in different traditional and digital mediums. Students will learn how to integrate storytelling and narrative through characters and scenes, symbolism and form, and other forms of visual communication across different media. The program also includes practical business skills, developing brand identities, and engaging in internships and practical, portfolio-based assessments. In the final semester, students will undertake an internship, gaining real-world experience through a supervised community-based project, and work independently on a research project, producing a significant body of work and a thesis.

Entry Requirements

To apply for the Master of Illustration, students will need to have one of the following from their previous studies:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, with at least a B grade average in 300-level courses
• Any bachelor's degree and relevant professional or other work experience
• A Postgraduate Certificate in Illustration with at least a B grade average
• A Postgraduate Diploma in Illustration with at least a B grade average
• Other qualifications of an equivalent standard All applicants need to submit a portfolio of relevant work. If English is not the first language, students are also required to meet the university's postgraduate language requirements.

Degree Structure

The Master of Illustration is made up of 180 total points, which includes four compulsory courses followed by a final internship course and a final research project. The program can be completed in 1.5 years full-time or up to 5 years part-time.

Subjects and Courses

The compulsory courses for the Master of Illustration are:

• FINA630 Business of Illustration
• FINA631 Illustration Mediums
• FINA632 Language of Illustration
• FINA633 Narrative Illustration In the final semester, students will undertake an internship project and carry out an independent body of research, producing a piece of visual work and a 6,000-word research summary.

Fees

The estimated tuition fees for the Master of Illustration are:

• Domestic students: $14,663 (180 points) for 2026
• International students: $51,000 (180 points) for 2026, and $54,000 (180 points) for 2027 The Student Services Levy (SSL) is $9.72 per point ($1,166.40 per 120 points) for 2025, and $10.30 per point ($1,236.00 per 120 points) for 2026.

Further Study

Students may choose to progress onto the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Creative Practice after completing the Master of Illustration.

Careers

The Master of Illustration program prepares students for dynamic roles in publishing, entertainment, design, digital media, education, and science communications. Career pathways could include illustrator artist, concept artist, brand designer, or art director/creative lead roles.