Program Overview

Illustration BA (Hons)

Course Description

Become an innovative, unique, diverse, and professionally distinctive illustrator. Through a voyage of discovery and experimentation, you will apply yourself to challenging projects and activities, become increasingly self-motivated and confident to strive beyond the constraints of delivering a brief.

Study Options

• Full-time: 3 years
• UK fee: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International fee: £16,900 per year (2025/26)
• UCAS points: 96 (September 2025 entry)
• UCAS code: W220
• Start date: September
• Location: Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

What You Will Study

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Diploma in Professional Practice (optional)
• Year 3

Core Modules

• Thinking Through Design
• Design, Culture and Curiosity
• Creative Concepts
• Exploring Visual Communication

Module Details

Thinking Through Design

Thinking Through Design continues the development of students as design practitioner-researchers through an understanding of the inter-relation of design thinking and theory and practice. Students will engage with design theory and thinking as a creative process for problem finding and solving; fusing creativity, conceptual, critical and systems thinking with the approaches deployed by designers to develop methods for analysing complex problems and situations.

How You Will Learn

Facilities

The Illustration Studio provides you with an excellent environment to be curious, experimental and independently motivated. It is a location for both individual and group tuition, a creative space for the practice of sharing ideas and peer-learning, exercising creative skills, imagination, vision, innovation and ambition.

Teaching Methods

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods including project work, workshop practice, lectures, demonstrations, seminars, group critiques, work checks, individual tutorials, reports and assignments.

Careers

This course prepares you for an exciting career in illustration, with opportunities in newspaper and magazine editorial, education, publishing and book arts, children’s books, graphic novels, print production, advertising and the wider design industry.

Entry Requirements

2025 Entry

• UCAS points: 96
• A Level: CCC
• T Level: Pass (C and above)
• BTEC: MMM
• GCSE: Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 15, Pass: 15
• English language requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and Funding

2025/26

• UK: £9,535 per year (full-time)
• International: £16,900 per year (full-time)

Additional Costs and Optional Extras

• USB Flash Drive (approx. £10 - £15)
• Printing of design work (approx. £25 - £50)
• A2/A3 Portfolio (£5 - £50)
• A4- A2 Sketchbook (approx. £10- £20 each)
• Drawing materials, paints, inks (approx. £50 per year)

How to Apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.

• UK students: Apply through UCAS or directly to the University.
• International students: Apply through our online application portal or through one of our trusted local representatives.