At Worcester, you’ll be part of a community of artists from day one. You’ll share a dedicated studio space with students from all arts-related subjects at the Art House, a supportive environment that opens students up to collaboration and trying new things.
of students responded positively about how free they felt to express their ideas, opinions and beliefs during their studies
Our Art & Design courses are top 15 in the UK for graduate prospects
First for jobs
The University of Worcester is first in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, five years after graduation (excluding specialist institutions) - Longitudinal Educational Outcomes Survey 2024.
Overview
Illustration is all about being curious and imaginative and telling stories through art. On this course, you’ll get to bring your unique perspective to life through your art. It’s a chance to explore and respond to different situations in your own creative voice.
Our Illustration degree allows you to immerse yourself in a vibrant artistic community where you can explore and refine your creative practice. You’ll have the freedom to experiment with different mediums and techniques, from life and location drawing and printmaking to animation and 3d modelling. Working in a studio setting helps students from across artistic expressions to work together and learn from each other, creating a strong sense of community.
Workshops, studio critiques, and individual tutorials are key to your development as an illustrator, helping you build confidence in your ideas and artistic processes. You’ll also benefit from regular guest lectures from publishers, agents, and working illustrators throughout the year, giving you the chance to engage with the creative arts industry.
You’ll have the chance to work with industry professionals on live projects, showcase your work in a final year exhibition, and get hands-on experience producing and selling artwork for professional art fairs. There will also be paid work opportunities to assist in delivering an annual series of workshops at the Hay Festival, a popular international arts festival. In your third year, you’ll be supported in applying for jobs and placements, providing a fantastic opportunity to gain real-world experience and build valuable connections.
Illustration students' artwork
Course content
Each year you will study a mix of mandatory and optional modules. This flexibility lets you explore different illustration styles and try new mediums to establish your own creative identity.
We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.
Optional modules will run if enough students choose to study them. It is not guaranteed that all modules will be offered every year.
Optional modules
Careers
Illustration is an expanding profession within the Creative Industries. The cultural importance of visual media has been increasing significantly, with the industry evolving to value imagery that can translate ideas, concepts and compelling stories.
By studying Illustration, you will grow into a skilled and confident image maker, capable of presenting your work and effectively communicating within the industry. You'll gain experience working with design and advertising agencies, as well as national brands, through opportunities to collaborate on live briefs set by clients.
By the time you graduate, you'll have a strong portfolio, and the skills needed to launch a successful career in the creative industries.
You could be a:
- Editorial illustrator
- Agency designer
- Freelance illustrator
- Concept artist
- Graphic novelist
- Children’s book illustrator
- Fashion illustrator
- Graphic designer
- Medical illustrator
Opportunities to progress
Opportunities to progress onto postgraduate study at Worcester include our Creative Media MA and Art and Design MPhil/PhD. If you’re looking to pursue teaching as a career you may be interested in our PGCE Primary or PGCE Secondary (Art and Design) courses.
Arts Alumni - Jess Mason
Course highlights
Teaching and Assessment
You’ll explore Illustration through studio tutorials, group discussion, seminars and workshops.
Your assessments will help prepare you for your career as an Illustrator. You’ll produce a professional portfolio, zines, online projects, proposals, learning journals, reflective pieces, and solo and collaborative exhibitions.
Teaching and assessment contents
You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures, on-site practical activities and studio practice. Interactive, studio-based sessions are intended to enable learning through integrated research led teaching which directly informs the practical based activity. The studio- based practicals are focused on developing image making skills, visual problem solving and developing a unique, personal visual language. Working in collaboration with peers is also embedded within sessions through group project work. Teaching is focused on delivering upon the University’s graduate attributes
Social responsibility
Many Level 6 students initiate projects that are focused on solving problems through design, such as educational tools for children or raising awareness of environmental challenges. Staff research projects SEA CHANGE project is being used as a learning resource which promotes ocean literacy and supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal UNSDG14 Life Below Water. Previous staff research project MIGRATIONS is also being used as a reference for Level 6 students’ independent project.
Reflective and resilient lifelong learning
Students reflect on their work on a weekly basis: writing blogs, critical reports and making presentations which also develops a sense of resilience when receiving verbal feedback and questions about their work. The development of a studio culture where students attend extra curricula activities and industry talks, encourages and facilitates a deep enquiry into the subject of illustration.
Problem solving
Different approaches to tackling assignments are explored throughout the course which results in students developing an individual approach to understanding the problem and solving it through a design process.
Teamwork and effective communication
Collaborative projects are embedded into several modules and students work together to plan and curate exhibitions at levels 5 and 6.
Digital citizenship
Industry standard software is taught at level 4 and 5, providing students with skills that can be applied to all future modules. The constant use of the VLE (Blackboard) to communicate with students and store learning materials enables an awareness of how to use these platforms to support learning. As all work is now submitted through Cloud storage and requires scanning/photographing, all students become skilled in presenting work online.
In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and three occasions in each year of the subsequent years.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 104
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | BCC |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DMM |
| T-level | Merit |
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an interview and to provide a portfolio for consideration.
We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year for new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
Illustration BA (Hons) - W220
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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