Program Overview

Overview

The Illustration BA(Hons) course at the University of Huddersfield focuses on developing students into independent, creative thinkers with the ability to create and deliver exciting visual communication and image-making. Students will create storyboards and characters or environments for animation and games design, develop comic strips, and build narratives for children’s books or make interesting and desirable packaging and merchandise.

Course Details

• The course is a three-year full-time program, with an optional placement year.
• The program is part of a suite of three courses, which includes Fine Art BA(Hons) and Fine Art and Illustration BA(Hons).
• Students can choose to pursue any of the three courses throughout their degree, tailoring their studies to their interests within the subject.

Entry Requirements

• To find out if you’re eligible to start this course, please see the University's Clearing pages or call the Clearing Helpline.
• If you’re interested in studying this course, please view the course information.

Course Structure

Year 1

• Core modules:
  • Studio Practice 1: Promotes an in-depth and disciplined approach to contemporary practices in fine art and/or illustration.
  • Studio Practice 2: Continues to promote research and experiment in the production of practical work.
  • Introduction to Critical Languages: Introduces vital debates on the production and reception of contemporary visual culture.

Year 2

• Core modules:
  • Studio Practice 3: Identifies a potential direction within a range of practices.
  • Studio Practice 4: Extends the level of independence developed in Studio Practice 3.
  • Expanded Critical Languages: Continues the exploration of thinking about and through visual culture.
  • Professional Practice: Introduces issues relating to fine art and illustration professional practices.

Year 3 - Optional Placement Year

• The placement year is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and build on the skills developed in the first two years of study.
• Students will spend up to 48 weeks (minimum 36 weeks) in a graduate-level role, sharpening their professional skills and exploring career options.

Final Year

• Core modules:
  • Research and Development for Fine Art and Illustration: Establishes and informs the major project.
  • Final Major Project - Fine Art and/or Illustration: Builds upon and tests research developed in the previous module.
  • Applied Critical Languages: Focuses on contextual and professional issues appropriate to individual practice and subject specialism.

Teaching and Assessment

• The course is taught through a combination of group tutorials, workshops, live projects, lectures, optional study trips, seminars, and individual tutorials.
• Assessment includes verbal and illustrative presentations of practical and developmental work, written work for contextual analysis and assignments, plus self-assessment and evaluation.

Placements

• The course offers an optional one-year work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad.
• Students have previously taken up placement opportunities with companies including The House of Illustration, The Association of Illustrators, Plum Pudding Publishing, Advocate Art, and Derma Décor.

Fees and Finance

• The maximum fees for UK-based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £9,535 per year for full-time students.
• A range of basic materials is provided for all students, but students may need to provide specialist materials themselves, with estimated costs of £60 (Year 1), £100 (Year 2), and £200 (Year 3).

Career Support

• The University's Careers and Employability Service offers professional help, support, and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs, and one-to-one guidance sessions.
• Graduates have gone on to work for companies including Baker Ross, Banana Moon, Grain Creative, and Route 1 games.

Accreditations and Professional Links

• The course is part of a suite of three courses, which includes Fine Art BA(Hons) and Fine Art and Illustration BA(Hons).
• The University is a member of the Association of Illustrators and Design and Art Direction (D&AD), providing opportunities for students to hear talks from guest speakers and professionals from the world of art and illustration.