BA (Hons) Illustration

Entry requirements

Although many of our students do come in with top grades and high UCAS points, these aren’t necessarily essential for entry. We typically ask for between 104 - 120 UCAS points, earned through an Art & Design Foundation Diploma, A-levels, BTEC Extended Diploma MMM grade, Access to HE Art & Design, T-Levels, Irish/Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers, the International Baccalaureate, or other international qualifications.

Applicants also need to submit a portfolio.

We understand that talented artists, designers and makers can have a wide range of relevant strengths and skills beyond formal qualifications. We’re just as interested in exploring your portfolio and discussing your creative experiences as we are in seeing your grades, and we welcome applications from students who have followed less traditional routes.

We also accept a range of international qualifications and will look at each application individually.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Prepare for Success in the Illustration Industry

This industry-informed degree delves deep into the essence of contemporary illustration, defining its role in today's dynamic landscape. Discover how to navigate commercial briefs and express your personal vision with equal finesse. Our program fosters a sustainable and fulfilling illustration practice, preparing you for success in a rapidly evolving industry.

Why choose this course at Arts University Plymouth

• Creative Empowerment: Develop your ability to express creative ideas, communicate powerful propositions, and evoke emotions – all through illustration.
• Industry-Expert Guidance: Learn from award-winning lecturers with decades of experience in illustration, gaining insights for a culturally curious, ethically responsible, and commercially viable practice.
• Holistic Skill Development: Acquire a multifaceted skillset, nurture your independent creativity, and pave the way for a fulfilling creative career that aligns with your personal aspirations in illustration.

What stood out for me at Arts University Plymouth is the fact that it’s a dedicated art university. In other universities that I looked at, the arts were really pushed to the side – but here it was really inspiring to see that the whole university is dedicated to creativity and creative subjects. Another big selling point was the high contact time with tutors, which I really took advantage of. Throughout my course, there was never a point where there were long waits to speak to tutors or get feedback on work, which was so valuable.

ILLUSTRATOR JAKE WILLIAMS, CLIENTS INCLUDE NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, FACEBOOK, SAMSUNG AND HARPER COLLINS

Elevate Your Illustration Journey

Illustration has the power to characterise moments, evoke emotion and propose alternate realities. From indie publishing and children’s literature, through to comic books and commercial products - this course will empower you to make your mark.

Illustration is a competitive design discipline which requires high levels of commitment. Our expert staff will support you in developing professional skills including creative problem-solving, project management, and working to briefs and deadlines. We place high value on imagination and energy, alongside conceptual thinking and idea development, and we will support you in honing your technical skills and knowledge of contemporary trends.

Empowering Future Image-Makers

Throughout this course, you will be based in a spacious and naturally-lit collaborative studio space, where you’ll cultivate a unique blend of skills and attributes, with a strong emphasis on curiosity and perseverance, making you a well-rounded practitioner. You will be challenged to develop authentic ways of working, assuming agency and autonomy as an image-maker and learning what this means to you as a practitioner. Our students benefit from high contact time with our dedicated Illustration team, who provide expert mentoring from an impressive range of specialisms including independent publishing, editorial, children’s books, printmaking, graphic design, and art direction.

Creative Studio Environment

Throughout this course, you will be based in a spacious and naturally-lit collaborative studio space, where you’ll cultivate a unique blend of skills and attributes, with a strong emphasis on curiosity and perseverance, making you a well-rounded practitioner. You will be challenged to develop authentic ways of working, assuming agency and autonomy as an image-maker and learning what this means to you as a practitioner.

Exploring Creative Specialisms

As well as introducing you to commercial practice, we also encourage you to explore your own ideas through self-directed and authorial approaches which will extend the boundaries of your visual language. As you develop your interests you can choose to tailor your study to a range of creative specialisms, including editorial illustration, children’s books, independent publishing, printmaking, graphic design and art direction.

From designing for Lego to writing and illustrating children’s books and gaining cult status in the world of independent apparel, our graduates enjoy diverse careers in the booming field of illustration, and this industry focus is truly embedded in our teaching.

Develop Comprehensive Skills through Storytelling and Collaboration

You will work within a supportive and challenging studio environment, to explore your subject both as an individual and in interdisciplinary teams. You’ll approach independent work with a critical mindset, considering the design, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of your own original artwork, whilst seeking opportunities to collaborate with designers, creative directors, and animators to realise your ideas in charming new ways. We’ll also encourage you to foster communities across the university, showcasing your final outputs as part of enterprising collectives, pop-up shops, and curated exhibitions.

Gain Real-World Experience and Industry Exposure

Your studies will be complemented by an impressive programme of visiting lecturers, publishers and manufacturers including Hallmark Cards. You’ll also enter your work into prestigious competitions such as the Macmillan Prize, Penguin & Puffin Design Awards, and New Designer of the Year; and benefit from opportunities to secure work placements and respond to live briefs from industry - establishing an enviable network of professional contacts over time.

Fees and funding