COURSE CURRICULUM

The Illustration degree is structured to guide students through a progressive journey of creative, technical, and professional development. It begins with a foundation year that introduces essential art and design skills, studio practices, and contextual studies. This stage is designed to build confidence, encourage experimentation, and help students discover their creative identity, setting the stage for specialized study in illustration. In the first year of the degree, students start to focus more directly on their illustration practice. They develop a range of practical and conceptual skills through core modules that emphasize experimentation, application, and the integration of research with creative work. Contextual and theoretical understanding is also introduced, encouraging students to reflect on the relevance of their work within historical and contemporary frameworks. The second year deepens this exploration, allowing students to refine their individual approach to illustration while engaging more directly with professional contexts. Through advanced studio practice, research modules, and professional development courses, students begin to build a portfolio that reflects their growing confidence and understanding of the industry. Opportunities to participate in live briefs, client-based projects, and industry placements help bridge the gap between university and professional life. In the final year, students focus on independent practice, producing a self-directed major project and contributing to a public degree showcase. Research continues to play a vital role, with students selecting between a practical group project or a written extended research paper. They also take on leadership roles in professional modules, preparing them for the demands of creative industries. Across all three years, the program supports personal growth, creative exploration, and critical thinking, resulting in graduates who are not only skilled illustrators but also adaptable, reflective practitioners ready to enter a competitive and evolving field.