BA Illustration
Cardiff Metropolitan University
About this course
BA (Hons) in Illustration, an undergraduate design degree focused on visual communication, creative practice and narrative development. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can choose to undertake an optional year-long sandwich placement. The first year introduces foundational awareness through modules such as Visual Languages, In Contexts, Research Basics and Interdisciplinary Understanding. The second year progresses to real-world projects and research planning via Visual Languages 2, 21st Century Challenges, Real-World Contexts and Research Proposal. The final year culminates in advanced communication and professional preparation through Visual Languages 3, Positioning in Practice and Contribution.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 96-120 A level: Minimum three A levels. No specific subjects required. Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject. BTEC/Cambridge Technical: MMM-DDM IB: 24 points. No specific subjects required.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 83%: 118 offers from 142 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 79%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 115 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 73%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 4%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 13%
- Design occupations: 11%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 63%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 47%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 42%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 290 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 5%
- South East: 7%
- South West: 20%
- Wales: 56%
Who gets in
Based on about 50 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Modules
- Visual Languages
- In Contexts
- Research Basics
- Interdisciplinary Understanding
- Visual Languages 2
- 21st Century Challenges
- Real-World Contexts
- Research Proposal
- Visual Languages 3
- Positioning in Practice
- Contribution
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at Cardiff Metropolitan University earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,000 and £29,000. The £23,500 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Illustration at Cardiff Metropolitan University do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Illustration at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Illustration at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
The typical offer is 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 125 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Illustration at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
83% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 118 offers from 142 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Illustration at Cardiff Metropolitan University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Illustration at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.