Illustration FT

Enter the world of illustrative practice, embarking on a transformative journey to unearth your unique artistic voice as an illustrator. Graduating from this course means emerging as a highly refined visual communicator, adept at seamlessly blending craftsmanship and aesthetic prowess across various digital and analogue platforms, mediums, and projects. Your work will balance creativity with commercial acumen, incorporate sustainability, and be informed by a rich understanding of illustration's historical and cultural context.

In an ever-evolving industry, our mission is to equip you with the skills for a lifelong learning journey, ensuring you remain adaptable and prepared for the dynamic landscape of professional illustrative practice.

NTU is in the UK’s Top 15 for Art & Design in the Complete University Guide 2026.

Employability

From the very start of the course, you will be encouraged to identify with the world of work and your future beyond graduation. The course has a dedicated employability tutor and the School Employability team support Illustration students with drop-in session and advice.

This course will equip you with skills and experience needed to work as a professional illustrator, as well as a range of transferable skills that can be applied to a number of roles within the creative industries.

Our BA (Hons) Illustration course was created in consultation with leading industry bodies such as the Association of Illustrators (AOI), whose knowledge and expertise informs our approach and ensures that the course is aligned with the most current industry needs and expectations.

Some of our other industry connections, clients or partners include:

• Hachette

• Harper Collins

• Penguin Random House

• Usbourne

• Scholastic

• Folio Society

• Carmelite

• Nobrow Press

Throughout the course you will work with industry on live briefs and hear from visiting speakers. You will also be supported and encouraged to enter national and international illustration competitions such as The World Illustration Awards (AOI), The Batsford Prize, The Macmillan Prize, V&A Illustration Awards, and the YCN, Creative Conscience.

Facilities

You’ll be based in our new Design & Digital Arts Building. Opening for 2024 admission, our new Design & Digital Arts Building will place Nottingham as a UK hub for film, television, animation, UX design, games design, graphic design and more.

You'll have access to industry-standard facilities which include a virtual production studio, an in-camera VFX studio and a black box studio, as well as collaborative studio spaces, future technology suites and exhibition spaces.

[Year One]

• Exploring Illustration (100 credit points)
• Illustration in Context (20 credit points)

[Year Two]

• Professional Context and Personal Direction (60 credit points, full year)

• Contemporary Issues in Illustration (20 credit points, full year)

• Co Lab: Research, Exploration and Risk-taking (20 credit points, second half of the year)

• Optional module. You will also choose one optional 20-credit module from:
  Storyboarding
  Experimental Animation
  Publishing: Experimental Formats
  Telling Stories
  Exploring Creative Coding
  Drawing & Exploring with Natural Materials
  Ecological Futures: A Creative Response
  Prop Making
  [Final year]

• Developing a Distinct Professional Portfolio (100 credit points)

• Independent Journal (20 credit points)

Year 1 coursework (100%).
Year 2 coursework (100%).
Year 3 coursework (100%).

People excel in different ways, and we want everybody to have the best possible chance of success. On this course you will be assessed on a range of individual and group presentations, and your final year project.

Your work in Year Two accounts for 20% of your final degree mark, and your work in your final year accounts for the other 80%.