Turn your passion for illustration into a thriving career. This exciting degree empowers you to discover your unique creative voice while gaining the technical, professional, and business skills needed to excel in industries such as publishing, advertising, fashion, comics, games, and film.
From your first day, you’ll be part of the illustration industry as a member of the Association of Illustrators. Guided by expert practitioners and inspired by guest lectures from high-profile illustrators, you’ll build a professional portfolio that showcases your individuality and aligns with real-world industry demands.
Our dynamic studio culture ensures no two days are the same. You’ll work on diverse, hands-on projects, access industry-standard facilities, and participate in exhibitions and networking opportunities. Whether you aspire to create picture books, editorial illustrations, or concept art, this programme equips you with the tools and confidence to succeed.
With our focus on individuality and commercial awareness, you’ll graduate ready to make your mark in the creative industries. Join a community where your talent is nurtured, your ideas are valued, and your future as an illustrator begins.
Year One - Illustration Foundation and Orientation
In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the core concepts, skills, and techniques that form the foundation of illustration practice. You’ll explore a variety of mediums, software, and approaches to help you understand the wide possibilities within the discipline. This year focuses on developing your creative thinking, technical ability, and awareness of the professional contexts in which illustrators work.
• Experiment
• Print
• Publish
• Narrative
• Creative Thinking
Year Two - Development and Exploration
Your second year (Level 5) builds on this foundation, allowing you to develop more advanced, industry-standard skills and a deeper understanding of the illustration sector. You will begin to define your personal direction through live briefs and self-directed projects, while building a professional portfolio that reflects your developing specialism. During this stage, you are also encouraged to seek relevant work experience or external collaborations where suitable opportunities arise.
• Innovate
• Specialisms
• Negotiate
• Creative Discussion
Year Three - Consolidation and Expertise
In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience, and creative identity as an independent illustrator. Working on self-initiated projects, you will refine your practice and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative ambitions, demonstrate independence and originality, and prepare for a successful transition into professional practice or further study.
• Specialist Practice 1
• Specialist Practice 2
• Professional Futures and Final Show
• Dissertation and Report
In course assessment. Each module is assessed upon completion and given a percentage mark.
This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
The Northern School of Art has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
We do not currently accept students from outside of the UK. However, we can accept applications from those have evidence of pre-settled status to live, work and study in the UK. Please contact admissions@northernart.ac.uk for more information.
Your potential is our main focus when assessing your suitability for the programme you have applied to. Because of this, we take into account all aspects of your application and not just your academic profile.
If you are a mature applicant (i.e. 21+ years), we will place more emphasis on your portfolio and the skills and experience you can demonstrate at interview.
Your portfolio, which you bring to interview, is an integral part of the assessment. It should demonstrate your current skills, interests and knowledge where appropriate.
It is also expected that you will bring evidence of written work to interview and/or have a Level 2 qualification in English/Literacy.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Due to the creative nature of our programmes, we treat all applications on their own merit and welcome anyone who has the ability and aspirations to achieve at higher education. Applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate their potential to us by showing their portfolio at an interview. If you are predicted points below the stipulated range, or if you have any other qualifications or professional experience, please get in touch as we still may be able to consider you.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
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Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
As with most creative programmes delivered at higher education, this programme will have additional costs such as material and basic tools and contribution towards educational visits to ensure successful completion of the programme. The School offers financial support packages to help with this, whether this be through means-tested bursaries and/or grants. In addition, the School offers subsidised resale of course materials, free use of studios etc. More detailed information is provided at the interview stage; however, if you require this sooner please contact interviews@northernart.ac.uk
Email:studentrecruitment@northernart.ac.uk
Phone:01642 288888
Email:studentrecruitment@northernart.ac.uk
Phone:01642 288888
University Level Campus
Church Square
Hartlepool
TS24 7EX
At The Northern School of Art
