Illustration

We are a community of illustrators based in a bright and airy studio where students are encouraged to use their individual studio spaces as an extension of their sketchbooks.

We emphasise curiosity and innovation in our approach to illustration, and we embrace mistakes as part of our process.

Exploration and experimentation are at the core of our practice. As artists we ask why, and we use materials and images to find the answers. We emphasise practice-based research, exploring personal objectives and extending our understanding of how illustration can make positive changes both locally and globally.

You’ll benefit from well-equipped and cutting-edge facilities throughout your degree. These include printmaking studios, a Mac suite, two Risograph machines, plus a big maker’s space. We encourage students to explore illustration through all kinds of media and you’ll have access to laser cutters, 3D printers, a woodshop and ceramics studio.

The first year is an open approach to learning to help you find what drives your practice. The modules are ungraded but have lots of support all the way through. We want you to focus on the work most of all.

The second year explores audience, the wider world, and your place in it. You will find a placement that connects to your interests and get the opportunity to sell at markets.

In the third year, you will be working much more independently and with your peers for support though the final year. You will develop practice-based research methods and bring to life an independent project for the degree show.

Our teaching style emphasises following your curiosity and questioning ideas. We expect students to work in the studio at least 4 days a week. You will have your own desk throughout all three years in our beautiful studio as a base from which to build your practice.

This course is available to study with an integrated foundation year. If you don’t meet the stated entry requirements or you’re returning to education, it could be a great option that enables you to study this course. Select the ‘With foundation year’ study type from the options at the top of this page to apply.  

Illustration is a wide-ranging discipline for practitioners. Some have a freelance practice, others work in-house. Illustration graduates might become art directors, concept artists, surface pattern designers, or they might create new jobs and careers that we cannot imagine yet.

Our focus on being critical, driven by curiosity and questioning of the world prepares our students to take leadership positions in the world of art and design. In order to help you imagine what’s possible you will complete a placement in the second year so that you can begin to explore a professional context.

After graduation, our alumni excel in various fields, such as children’s books, comics, animation, editorial illustration, surface pattern design, graphic design, social justice organisations, concept art, game art, and publishing. You’ll be equipped with the creative, technical and entrepreneurial skills you need to go into professional practice.