Illustration

Why Illustration?
We are a community of illustrators that tell stories through images. We emphasize curiosity and innovation in our approach to illustration, and we embrace mistakes as part of our process.

The first year is an open approach to learning that will allow you to find what drives your practice. The second year explores audience, the wider world, and your place in it as an artist. In the third year students develop practice-based research methods and bring to life an independent project for the degree show.

Our modern design facilities include printmaking studios, an Apple Mac suite, Risograph machine, letterpress workshop and book-binding equipment. We encourage students to explore illustration through all kinds of media and you can also learn on our laser cutters, 3D printers, and have access to our woodshop and ceramics studio.

We attend Thought Bubble Comics Festival (UK), Angouleme BD (France), Bristol Artist’s Book Event (UK), and also visit museums in London, Oxford & Birmingham.

Third year students go to London to meet art directors and agents before graduation, and we have a full slate of visiting artists that come to us, both virtually and in person. Past visiting artists and critics include Anh Cao (animation), Matthew Dooley (comics), Emily Dumas (US), Handsome Frank (agency), Adam Jeffcoat (Studio NX), Self Made Hero publishing, Laurie Stansfield (children’s), Nicholas Stevenson (alum).

Why University of Gloucestershire?
University of Gloucestershire (UoG) is a vibrant, close-knit and diverse community where small class sizes and dedicated personal tutors ensure students receive guidance and support from day one. UoG has been offering a wide range of degrees, courses and apprenticeships at undergraduate and postgraduate levels since 1847. Alongside our strong support system, guest speakers, networking events and influential partnerships will help you prepare for life after graduation, whether that be in a successful career in your field or onto further study.

Our promises to you\

1. UoG Career Promise – if you're not in a job 6 months after graduating, we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support post-graduation should you need it, followed by the offer of a paid internship and lifetime career coaching (eligibility conditions apply).\
2. UoG Accommodation Promise – we guarantee all first-year students’ accommodation on, or near, the campus you’re studying at.\
3. UoG Connections Promise – offering thousands of placements, internships, clubs and societies to help students find their community and build valuable experience and career connections.

After the course
Your story doesn’t end with us at graduation. We support our graduates to balance purpose with ambition, and 95% of University of Gloucestershire graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their course*.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey published 2024 and based on 2021/22 leavers.

Student life
Home to 11,300 students and 900 staff across four campuses, University of Gloucestershire offers dynamic learning environments on the edge of the Cotswolds, the UK’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With over 45 festivals each year, global business placements nearby and more than 500 bars, clubs and pubs, Cheltenham is known as the ‘Festival Town’, while Gloucester blends rich history with a modern city feel, from its iconic cathedral to its famous docks.

Visit us
Come and explore our campuses, facilities, teaching areas and accommodation. You’ll get the chance to attend course talks and meet our lecturers, current students and support staff and answer all your questions. Book to come to an open day at glos.ac.uk/BookAnOpenDay.

Find out more about this course at glos.ac.uk/OurCourses, email us on enquiries@glos.ac.uk or call 03330 14 14 14.

Course Modules

In your first year develop skills in life and location drawing, printmaking, specialist techniques and animation. In your second and third years take your work to a professional level through modules such as Sequential Illustration, using drawn images to create visual narratives such as comics and graphic novels. You’ll also begin preparing for industry, developing your expertise in self-publishing and promotion. Our modern design facilities include extensive printmaking studio, Apple Mac suite, Risograph stencil printer, letterpress workshop and book binding equipment.