Perhaps you already have your own style of illustration and want to explore it further. Or you’re looking to get a good grounding in the possibilities available. We take a wide-ranging approach, letting you experiment and focus on your individual creativity. You’ll have the chance to develop your unique style across a wide range of media, and get to know more about the current trends and practices in illustration.

We like to keep the course as open as possible, to help you find your own areas of interest.

• In your first year you’ll have the chance to experiment with a range of materials and concepts, which will enable you to develop your practical skills and your individual strengths.
• On to second year you can expand on what you’ve learnt, and we’ll also take a look at what’s going on in the wider field of illustration. From industry and cultural contexts through to the latest professional practice, we’ll aim to get you thinking about what steps you might take in your career.
• We'll also give you the chance to work on live projects, and briefs set by our contacts in the industry.
• You'll have the opportunity to go on a placement year after the second year if that takes your fancy, providing real-world experience of what it’s like to work in a range of illustrative practices, developing your professional skills.
• In your final year, we’ll give you the chance to consolidate what you’ve learnt and build up your own portfolio. We know what employers are looking for, so if you’re after a good start in your career we could help you fine tune your portfolio to a professional standard.

During your time here there will be plenty of chances to hear talks from guest speakers and professionals from the world of illustration and art. We are college members of the Association of Illustrators, and our industry links could get you involved in live projects, competitions, awards and exhibitions. And we’ll arrange field trips to events and galleries too.

The course is part of a suite of three that includes Contemporary Art BA(Hons) and Contemporary Art and Illustration BA(Hons). Whichever one you enrol on, you can switch to any of the other two courses while you’re here with the agreement of your tutor. We really are truly flexible, as we want you to develop your own path. You only have to apply for one course from the suite, but you could go off in any direction once you get here.

Placements

The course offers an optional (36 weeks minimum) one-year work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Students within the area of Contemporary Art and Illustration have previously taken up placement opportunities with companies including: The House of Illustration - London; The Association of Illustrators - London; Plum Pudding Publishing – Surrey; Advocate Art – Worthing and Derma Décor – Rotherham.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK or the EU, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. You can find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year here.

Your Career

The course aims to help you to develop the skills needed for roles in a range of areas within the creative industries including: freelance design and illustration, editorial, publishing, children’s books, fashion, lifestyle and giftware, animation, games design, surface pattern design, exhibiting, community and public art projects, art therapy, teacher training and further research. Some companies our graduates have gone on to work for include Baker Ross, Banana Moon, Grain Creative and Route 1 games.**

* Percentage of graduates from this subject who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 17/18, UK domiciled graduates)