Children’s Literature: Children’s Book Illustration

Entry requirements

For direct entry onto the degree, you should have or expect to achieve an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant area such as graphic design, illustration or art, or have equivalent professional experience. You will also be required to provide a portfolio as part of your application.

If you do not have an existing background in illustration we may offer you a place on a pre-sessional conversion course. This will cover foundational elements of illustration, including observational and sequential drawing, introduction to materials, and the psychology of pictorial reading.

International students also have the option to study English language as part of the pre-sessional programme.

Successful completion of the programme will lead to entry onto the MA Children’s Literature: Children’s Illustration.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Immerse yourself in exploring professional and practical approaches to children’s illustration.

Why study MA Children’s Literature: Children’s Book Illustration?

• Refine your practical illustration skills and ideas by working on projects that focus on materials and their combination, colour, tone, creating atmosphere, addressing the reader, and the relation of illustration to text. At the end of the programme you'll have the opportunity to exhibit your work.

• You won't only develop your practical skills. We draw on both professional and critical perspectives from art and education, cultural studies, design, and sociology to deliver a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the subject of illustration. We'll expect you to interrogate the power relations that determine what is published, distributed and selected to be read by children in schools.

• You'll study a bespoke module in children’s publishing that will help you with promoting your work and establishing dialogues with designers, editors and agents. You'll also have the chance to benefit from exposure to professional networks such as the Association of Illustrators, guest lectures from established illustrators and visits to illustration studios.

• You'll be taught by leading teaching staff, including established children’s authors and illustrators.

Information for international students

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees and funding

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.