Comics and Graphic Novels with Foundation Year

Available for September or January intakes.

Course overview
This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1. Do you wish you could see your comic characters brought to life on a page or screen? Are you a visual storyteller or a compulsive doodler? Do you find yourself drawn to comics, cartoons, and graphic novels?

From manga, games and animation media to political satire, you are taught by professionals who make comics for Shockdom, Dennis Publishing and Viz Comic. Our career-focused modules help you understand your chosen field including how it works, how to access it, who shapes it and how to grow within it.

Each year you work towards annual showcases in the form of anthologies, booklets, exhibitions, comic conferences and industry events. We cover all aspects of the comic medium, from creating graphic novels to publishing. You develop your craft by responding creatively to live briefs and undertaking projects that contribute to your final portfolio. We support you to make your own distinctive choices, so that you develop your creative voice and your own unique creative identity as a contemporary storyteller, communicator and artist.

Top reasons to study this course

• Nationally recognised: Comics and Graphic Novels is ranked 1st in the UK as part of our Graphic Design subject area ranking. (Guardian University Guide 2024, 2025 and 2026, tees.ac.uk/source).

• Industry-standard facilities: develop your own personal cartooning style using the latest technology including iMacs and Wacom digital drawing tablets.

• Get creative: our course and campus are powered by Adobe, Apple and Wacom. We’re Europe’s first Adobe Creative Campus, the only Apple-accredited University and a Wacom Experience School, equipping you with the digital tools and resources to hone your creative skills.

• Professional membership: we’re a member of the Association of Illustrators, giving you access to interactive talks, guidance on contracts and licensing, and your own discounted membership. This gives you the tools you need to forge a successful career in industry or as a freelancer.

• Industry experience: work on live briefs for a variety of organisations such as Streetwise Opera and the NHS, helping you build your portfolio of work.

• Creative UK: take advantage of our Creative UK membership and help futureproof your career, with networking events, a resource hub to support professional development, and bespoke workshops in partnership with industry leaders and mentors. Sign up for free student membership to get opportunities, events and newsletters sent directly to your inbox.

Employability
The course draws on existing and new relationships in targeted sectors to offer live briefs for:

• film and TV - Vertigo Films, Double Negative, BBC, Channel 4

• games - 22 Cans, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft

• advertising - Drummond Central, Cravens Advertising, Guerrilla, Sumo Digital

• comics - Viz Comics, Rebellion Publishing, Journalism, Guardian, Telegraph, Independent

Expected career routes include self-publishing, graphic novel publishing, advertising, marketing, public relations, journalism, editing, publishing and graphic design.

You are expected to do at least one two-week work placement between your second and third years, though opportunities will be available for significantly more workplace experiences through our placement officer.

Course Modules

Access course information through Teesside University’s website using the course page link provided (or visit www.tees.ac.uk).