BA(Hons) in Illustration (with Foundation Year), UWE Bristol

Bristol,

48 Months

Check Eligibility

About this course

This undergraduate course is designed to develop your personal visual language and help you gain real-world illustration skills in a creative studio environment. It begins with a foundation year focusing on academic skills, developing a creative identity, and observation and making. The subsequent years introduce you to various illustration practices, including sequential narrative, editorial, and artist’s books, using both analogue and digital techniques. The course emphasizes problem-solving through drawing and making, with opportunities for independent projects, live briefs, and industry competitions. You will benefit from industry-standard facilities at Bower Ashton and attend lectures from professionals, preparing you for careers across the creative industries. Throughout, you will build a comprehensive portfolio, participate in exhibitions like the D&AD New Blood, and engage with Bristol’s vibrant creative community.

Why this course is highly recommended

This programme stands out for its combination of creative freedom, industry connections, and state-of-the-art facilities. It emphasizes problem-solving, individualism, and real-world skills, making it ideal for students looking to forge diverse careers in illustration and related fields. The course’s links with industry professionals, opportunities for live projects, and international competitions ensure students graduate with a strong portfolio and professional readiness. The vibrant Bristol campus and exposure to cultural institutions like Watershed and Arnolfini further enrich the learning experience.

Specialisation

The course encourages developing your own personal visual language and individual expression in illustration. It covers a broad spectrum of media and practice areas such as narrative, editorial, artists’ books, film, and animation. You are free to focus on the avenues that interest you most, creating a tailored programme of study in your final year based on your creative evolution.

Course fees

Application fees

16.73L

1st year tuition fees

16.73L

Living cost

Degree requirements

Applicants need a usual tariff points score of 72 from Level 3 studies, with GCSEs including grade C/4 in English or equivalent. No specific A-level subjects are required, although Art and Design is relevant. For international students, a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 overall, with 5.5 in each component, is needed, though other English qualifications may be accepted. Additional qualifications such as BTEC, IB, or equivalent are considered, and a portfolio may be required for some applicants.

English language test

PTE

DUOLINGO

TOEFL

IELTS

5.5

Career prospects

Graduates from this course often work in various creative fields, including film directing, set design, art and creative directing, illustration agency work, visualisation, animation, storyboarding, puppetry, and costume and prop design. Many also pursue successful freelance careers as illustrators. The programme’s focus on industry links, professional portfolios, and real-world projects prepares students to enter a flexible and sustainable career in illustration and broader creative industries.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements for this course?

Applicants generally need 72 tariff points from Level 3 studies, with GCSE English at grade C/4 or equivalent, and a minimum IELTS score of 5.5. Art and Design are relevant subjects, but specific subject requirements are not strict.

Is there a portfolio requirement?

Applicants studying relevant subjects may not need to submit a portfolio. Those who do must submit a digital portfolio within three weeks if requested, and some may be invited for an online interview.