Program Overview

MA Children's Book Illustration

Introduction

Experiment with methods, explore ideas and critically reflect on your practice to develop your own personal visual vocabulary. Create original children’s book projects, supported by a team of internationally-recognised illustrators.

Course Options

• 18 months full-time
• 30 months part-time

Key Facts

• Study options: 18 months full-time, 30 months part-time
• Start dates: September
• Location: Cambridge
• Fees:
  • £13,500 UK students starting 2025/26 (total cost)
  • £20,200 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Student Experience

• Previous. Next.
• Student work
  • Chen Yingqi, 2023
• See more work by our MA Children's Book Illustration students
• Student work
  • Graduate show 2025
• See photos from our annual Children's Book Illustration exhibition at the Ruskin Gallery and explore the full catalogue of work by graduating students.

Teaching and Assessment

Year 1

• The MA Children’s Book Illustration ethos is to empower each student to develop their unique visual language as an artist, rather than pursue preconceived notions of stylistic appropriateness.
• The fundamentals of this journey are observational drawing and experimentation with materials, methods and techniques – and this will be your starting point for the course.
• You’ll next explore the nature of sequential visual communication as the basis for projects, which may be narrative or thematic, fiction or non-fiction, observed or imagined.
• Further into the MA, you’ll examine characteristics of books intended for the children’s book audience while, paradoxically, still creating from an authentic place as an individual and creator.
• The major written element of this course is a 6,000-word essay, which is an opportunity to dive deep into understanding a focused area of children’s book illustration while reflecting on your own visual practice and placing it in the historical and contemporary context of the discipline.

Core Modules

• Observation and Experiment
• The Sequential Image
• Illustrator and Audience: The Paradox
• Research and Review

Year 2

• Year 2 features an ambitious double module to consolidate and exercise prior learning on the course.
• As with all course projects, Masters Stage is self-directed with reflective commentary.
• Projects may take the form of picture books, comics, graphic novels, illustrated fiction, animations, posters or other visual statements.
• Masters Stage is supported by professional practice lectures, preparing you for life beyond graduation.

Core Modules

• Masters Stage Project

Entry Requirements

• A good honours degree (or equivalent), normally in a related subject. Applicants with professional experience are also encouraged to apply.
• If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

Fees and Paying for University

• Tuition fees for UK students (2025/26): £13,500 UK students starting 2025/26 (total cost)
• Tuition fees for international students (2025/26): £20,200 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
• Additional course costs:
  • Materials: costs depend on direction and ambition of your work, though students are expected to experiment with materials, techniques and ways of making throughout the course so should be prepared to purchase a range of supplies (estimated £250 per year).
  • Technology: Students will need regular access to internet for engagement with email and Canvas, our online teaching platform. Scanning and printing of work is necessary for creation of mock-ups of project outcomes. While students may use campus computer systems, there will likely be a need to access computer systems from home for the above uses.
  • Optional London graduation show (including catalogue design, printing and mailing; gallery space rental and private view for publishers): has ranged from £170 to £250 over the past few years, depending on how many students participate and the options they choose. There is an additional cost for each student to prepare their work, which will depend on the individual choices they make, such as how they choose to print, bind and display their artwork and dummy books.
  • Optional Bologna Book Fair stand portfolio inclusion: approximately £340, plus costs of preparing work and creating promotional materials. Many students also choose to attend the fair, which would incur additional travel costs. Neither the London show nor Bologna Book Fair are requirements of the course.

Facilities and Accreditation

• Studios and workshops:
  • a specialist printmaking studio with facilities for etching, screenprinting, relief printing, plate lithography, risograph and letterpress
  • a life drawing studio
  • a 3D workshop with facilities for wood/metal work, laser cutting, 3D printing and an annexe for 'wet' work including plaster, clay and mould making
  • photography studios and darkrooms
  • Mac suites for digital imaging and book design.
• Industry-standard equipment:
  • the full Adobe Creative suite
  • Macs
  • scanners and wide-format printers
  • printmaking workshop
  • letterpress workshop
  • photography and video equipment, including digital cameras and lighting kits.

Lecturers

• Shelley Jackson
• Pam Smy
• Becky Palmer
• Martin Salisbury
• Elys Dolan

Careers

• Many graduates of our MA Children’s Book Illustration degree now enjoy careers as freelance authors and illustrators for children.
• You may choose to show your work to leading publishing companies and literary agencies at our optional annual graduation exhibition held in London before returning to our own Ruskin Gallery in Cambridge.
• The graduation exhibition also includes a catalogue of student work shared with publishers, a website (cambridgemashow.com), and social media campaign, all organised and funded by students separate of the course.
• Upon completion of the course, you may also choose to take part in our student stand at the annual Bologna Children’s Book Fair, where tutors will show your work to publishers from around the globe.
• Like the graduation exhibition, this professional development event is available only to our course graduates, requires an additional fee, and is separate of the course.
• Many students also attend the fair in-person in order to participate in lectures and workshops or volunteer on our stand.
• Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a research programme at ARU such as our PhD Children’s Book Illustration.
• Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees.