Program Overview

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Illustration: Authorial Practice MA

Course Overview

Develop your unique visual language on this studio-based Illustration MA.

Key Details

• Location: Falmouth Campus
• Course duration: 1 year / 2 years
• Attendance: Full-time / Part-time

Course Details

Evolve your authorial voice on this renowned studio-based master’s degree, joining a stimulating and collaborative community that encourages creative risk-taking and experimentation.

As the only Illustration MA with a specific focus on authorial practice, this course will challenge you to shape your own authorial intent through a rich and varied programme of industry-led lectures, hands-on workshops, research projects and critical reflection. You’ll be supported by practising artists, illustrators and published writers as you learn to use authorial illustration as a tool to engage with the world around you, developing creative autonomy and gaining the confidence and knowledge to forge a meaningful career in the creative industries.

Study at Falmouth

• Articulate your unique creative stance through a structured series of self-directed and collaborative projects
• Experiment across areas including life drawing, visual storytelling, creative writing, character development and visual language fundamentals, as well as the creation of print and digital publications, in a vibrant studio environment
• Develop skills in research, collaboration, project planning, design and production – essentials for a fulfilling creative career
• Meet a diverse range of international authorial practitioners and industry-based speakers, identifying publishing contexts, audiences and professional opportunities for your work

Modules

• Negotiated Project 1
• Critical Publication
• Negotiated Project 2
• Research Presentation
• Negotiated Project 3 & Extended Essay

How You'll Learn

The Illustration MA takes place over three semesters, covering 45 or 90 weeks, depending on whether you choose to study one year full-time or two years part-time.

You’ll produce three practical projects based on personal work, supported by lectures, seminars, group critiques and workshops, as well as talks from industry professionals. You’ll also record and reflect on your studio work with a research journal.

Facilities

• Individual studio space
• Full IT facilities
• Print room
• Comprehensive library

Staff

You’ll be taught and supported by practising illustrators and published writers with experience in areas like exhibiting work, running publishing houses, leading poetry festivals, and working with companies like Puffin, Macmillan, Heinemann, Scholastic and the Sunday Times.

Careers

Our Illustration MA graduates have harnessed their developed practice, enterprise and entrepreneurial skills to find success in a range of creative sectors including; publishing, reportage, e-learning, residencies, art collectives, film and theatre, self and independent publishing and education.

How to Apply

We welcome applications from those with relevant equivalent Level 6 qualifications, or relevant equivalent experience, and a demonstrable interest in the subject.

We’ll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) and learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), and should have been gained within the last five years, and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications.

Entry Requirements

• Relevant equivalent Level 6 qualifications
• Relevant equivalent experience
• Demonstrable interest in the subject
• Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

Language Requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Tuition Fees

• £10,200 per year - full-time UK
• £5,100 per year - part-time UK
• £19,950 per year - full-time EU/international
• £9,975 per year - part-time EU/international

Postgraduate Funding

There are loans, awards, graduate discounts and alternative funding sources for postgraduate studies. Read about them on our Postgraduate Funding page.