University of Cumbria
Illustration BA (Hons)
University of Cumbria

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Illustration BA (Hons) at University of Cumbria for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Design Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
83 /100
15 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Creative Arts and Design

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Design Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £19500 £17000 £20000
25-75 percentile range £15000 - £21000 £13000 - £21000 £14500 - £25000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Creative Arts and Design

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22025 £20113 £23568
25-75 percentile range £19981 - £25071 £15144 - £24676 £17604 - £29974

Course Description

Want to become a great illustrator? One who takes a line and conjures worlds that compel and transfix? Technique is important. Courage is needed. But individuality is demanded. That’s why we’ll give you the space, resources and inspiration to find your voice. That’s why, with our help, you’ll make art that makes a difference.

We are unique amongst university illustration courses in giving you a thorough grounding in graphic design, allowing you to also potentially work for a design studio as a designer.

Course Overview

On our illustration degree, we will help you develop strong drawing, composition, and colour skills that will underpin your personal visual language, allowing you to develop a unique voice as an artist. You’ll gain the experience, confidence, and advanced technical skills you need to succeed. And once you find your voice as an artist, your personality, passion and the quality of the work in your portfolio will get you noticed. You’ll receive extensive feedback, support, and advice throughout your studies and have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, as well as the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, including ‘live briefs’ to develop and hone your skills.

We are unique amongst illustration courses in giving you a thorough grounding in graphic design. You’ll have the necessary skills and experience to stand out from the crowd.

On this course you will...

  • Study illustration within a university institute recognised by the industry as a course provider that engenders strong drawing skills. Through doing so, we provide our graduates with the backbone of a long career in illustration.
  • Be encouraged to develop an individual approach to illustration - allowing you to develop a personal style that stands out from the crowd.
  • Have regular and meaningful contact with tutorials, workshops, and discussions - reinforcing your practice with the support of tutors and peers who know you and your work inside and out.
  • Be included in deciding what direction the course/module/brief should take. Small group sizes mean a supportive and open community of practice.
  • Have access to a large professional studio space that is open plan and shared across all-year groups. Stock up on supplies with our in-house shop and experiment in our reprographic department.

What you will learn

In a professional sense, the word ‘lllustration’ represents an exciting and very varied discipline that ranges from self-authored graphic novels and comic art, through concept art for film, TV, and games to the more traditional work for magazines, books and advertising, animation, and much, much more. What links all of these disciplines is the ability to connect audiences with ideas, information, or products through engaging and memorable illustrative communications.

Our aim is to inspire you to become an innovative, individual illustrator. We’ll help you develop strong drawing skills as a firm foundation for your life as an illustrator, but our uniquely-designed course will also expand your design skills to give you an insight into one of the major markets for illustration work.

Year One

  • Introducing Visual Communication
  • Cultural Contexts
  • Collaborative Practice
  • Multi-Dimensional Illustration

Year Two

  • The Illustrators Toolkit
  • Drawing
  • Illustration Projects
  • The Critical Illustrator

Year Three

  • Advanced Illustration Projects
  • Independent Research Paper
  • Illustration Showcase

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Illustration BA (Hons) at University of Cumbria

45% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
20% Protective service occupations
10% Teaching Professionals
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Sales occupations
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Administrative occupations

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Illustration, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Illustration BA (Hons)

EU £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £13250 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of University of Cumbria in top UK and global rankings.

See all 6 university rankings of University of Cumbria

About University of Cumbria

The University of Cumbria is an institution whose stated aims are to develop the region’s talent and capabilities, and also to attract new talent into the region. The university operates out of 7 distinct campuses, two of which are situated within World Heritage sites and is the only university in the UK to be set in a national park. Each distinct campus has something unique to offer prospective students.

List of 117 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Cumbria - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Cumbria

undergraduates:
5445
postgraduates:
1135
Total:
6580
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Where is this programme taught

Carlisle - Brampton Road
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