Illustration

Come and study in lively, purpose-built studios surrounded by other creative students and award-winning staff. We will help you forge your visual voice to succeed in today's expanding creative industries. You set your work in a global context through such activities as briefs centred on UN Sustainability Goals, study trips and taking part in the optional Global Exchange programme (including Japan) to gain new perspectives and broaden your cultural references.

Explore the excellent resources that are on offer to you, including digital software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects and Animate), 3D software and Virtual Reality immersive media, and traditional life drawing, printmaking in silkscreen, lino, woodcut, etching, risograph, bookbinding, ceramics and letterpress.

Get insight into the industry from visiting speakers across the breadth of illustration. We have a special annual illustration event – PIE – inviting speakers from around the world; recent keynotes have been Fantagraphics and Flying Eye Books.

Get noticed. Develop your own visual voice and get noticed in the professional world by taking part in external events, commissions and competitions.

Define your direction. Explore a broad practice or focus on one of our four specialist exit awards: Animation and the Screen, Children's Markets, Comics and Visual Narratives, or Printmaking.

Go global. Engage with UN Sustainability projects with real world impact. We have options to study abroad on a three-month placement including Japan, Europe, Scandinavia and North America. National and overseas study trips inspire and inform with wider cultural contexts.

Learn from experts. Work with experienced and award-winning tutors. We invite successful practitioners to work alongside to offer inspirational advice and industry insight.

The first year will introduce you to the basics of illustration practice. You’ll develop your knowledge of image-making through character design, life drawing, printmaking, sequential and conceptual approaches, digital workshops, media exploration and analytical and critical writing. We’ll also introduce you to the techniques and essential processes of illustration practice within contemporary frameworks, preparing you for your second year.

In your second year, you can keep your focus broad or pursue a more specific area of personal interest at a deeper level. You’ll make contact with experts in the industry and analyse why the creative world is how it is. Critical and contextual modules with a varied visiting speaker programme will help you begin to position yourself as a professional. You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in placements, live briefs and competitions, to study abroad or collaborate with other disciplines.

In your final year there is increased emphasis on developing and consolidating your personal visual 'voice', while also developing the professional practice aspects (such as business skills, professional networks, social media profile, website and aligned promotion) that will help ensure a successful career in the area of your choice. Competitions and live briefs are encouraged and visiting lecturers offer a variety of viewpoints. You’ll undertake a written or practical research-informed dissertation related to your personal interests and have the chance to exhibit your work, both at our Degree Show and in London.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS