Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Illustration

Course Overview

Whether you're passionate about children's books, editorial design, concept art, or visual storytelling, our BA (Hons) Illustration course helps you develop a distinctive voice and stand out in a competitive industry. You’ll establish strong foundations in drawing, composition, and both digital and analogue techniques, all while cultivating your own unique visual style.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Carlisle - Brampton Road
• Institute: Institute of Education, Arts and Society
• UCAS Code: W220
• Delivery Style: Blended Learning
• Course Duration: Full-time: 3 Years
• Study Options: Integrated Foundation Year
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BA (Hons)

Minimum Entry Requirements

• 104-112 UCAS Tariff points

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 (UK, year)
• £14,900 (International, year)

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) - Illustration (with integrated foundation year)
• BA (Hons) - Fine Art

Course Structure

What You Will Learn

In a professional sense, the word ‘Illustration’ represents an exciting and very varied discipline that ranges from self-authored graphic novels and comic art, through concept art for film, TV, and games to the more traditional work for magazines, books and advertising, animation, and much, much more.

Year One

• Introducing Visual Communication: Develop effective working practices and habits.
• Cultural Contexts: An introduction to the cultural, historical, and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines.
• Collaborative Practice: Work with other students to explore and practice the skills involved in creative collaboration.
• Multi-Dimensional Illustration: Explore multiple forms and formats, from traditional print to the latest digital platforms, simple symbols to complex information and ideas, ephemeral to iconic.

Year Two

• The Illustrators Toolkit: Develop and refine your image making techniques, both digital and analogue.
• Drawing: Explore the surrounding area to improve your drawing and mark-making skills.
• Illustration Projects: Utilise the technical skills developed previously to create appropriate, targeted illustrative communications.
• The Critical Illustrator: Develop your understanding of the role of the illustrator in contemporary society.

Year Three

• Advanced Illustration Projects: An opportunity to work within a design brief and explore a particular area of interest.
• Independent Research Paper: Develop specialised and focused knowledge and understanding of a subject of your own choice.
• Illustration Showcase: An opportunity to show-off the skills, knowledge, and professionalism developed throughout the course to potential employers and the wider world.

Teaching & Assessment

How You Will Learn

• Lectures: Hosted by both studio and theory tutors using a variety of media as support.
• Seminars, Presentations, and Discussions: Explore issues in greater depth with both tutor and student-led formats.
• Practical Workshop Sessions: Provide the opportunity for you to develop specialist technical skills and knowledge.

How You Will Be Assessed

• Crits (short for ‘critique’): Lie at the heart of education in Illustration.
• Projects: Are the usual vehicle by which you develop your design knowledge and expertise.
• Portfolio/s: Two things make up the ‘portfolio’ – the qualities of the work itself and the manner in which that work is presented on the portfolio pages.

Entry Requirements

• A-levels: BCC-BBC
• T-levels: P (C+) – M
• Access to HE: 15 Credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit
• CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C - B
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DMM
• Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBA
• Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – B1x3, B2

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed.

Language Requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 (UK, year)
• £14,900 (International, year)

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us.

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example, all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Student and Alumni Work

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Carlisle - Brampton Road Campus

Located just outside the city, right on top of Hadrian's Wall, the Brampton Road campus is full of history, buzzing with excitement, creativity, and a sense of endless possibility. The home of creators, entertainers, rule breakers, and change-markers.

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