BDes Illustration
About this course
BDes (Hons) in Illustration, a design degree focused on visual media, storytelling, and communication through practical experimentation and studio work. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Design & Creative Practice. Students may undertake an optional year abroad or foundation year as part of their studies. Year 2 introduces the foundations of practice through compulsory modules such as Illustration: Introduction, Illustration: Fundamentals, Communication Design Context 1, and Communication Design Context 2, exploring various mediums and visual narrative structures. Year 3 builds on commercial practice with compulsory modules including Illustration: Narratives, Illustration Contexts, Alternative Futures Part 1, and Shape Your Future, alongside optional modules covering areas such as Art, Science and Visual Thinking, The Contemporary Portrait, Print and Printability, Principles of Visual Effects, Comic Art & Graphic Novels, Critical Making: Materials & Fabrication, Thinking Photography, Communication in Moving Image, AI in Creative Practices, and Undergraduate Work Placement. Year 4 focuses on professional identity and culminates in the final graduate portfolio through compulsory modules like Illustration: Graduate Portfolio and Alternative Futures Part 2.
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
A level: CCC (Recommended subject: a literate or art & design subject) IB: 28 points, including 5, 5, 4 at higher level Higher / Advanced Higher, SQA (standard): BBBB (Recommended subject: a literate or art & design subject at Higher).
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What students say
Based on about 23 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 98%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 92%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 91%
- Gained a higher qualification: 1%
- Left higher education: 7%
What graduates do next
Based on about 33 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 86%
- Working and studying: 8%
- Further study: 2%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 13%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 13%
- Design occupations: 13%
- Skilled trades occupations: 9%
- Sales occupations: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 200 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 9%
- South East: 1%
- South West: 1%
- Scotland: 85%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 35%
- Other HE qualification: 65%
Modules
- Communication Design Context 1
- Illustration: Introduction
- Communication Design Context 2
- Illustration: Fundamentals
- Illustration: Narratives
- Shape Your Future
- Alternative Futures Part 1
- Illustration Contexts
- Art, Science and Visual Thinking
- The Contemporary Portrait
- Print and Printability
- The Undiscovered Landscape
- Principles of Visual Effects
- Comic Art & Graphic Novels
- Critical Making: Materials & Fabrication
- Thinking Photography
- Contemporary Painting
- Communication in Moving Image
- Design for Living: The Domestic Object
- AI in Creative Practices
- Undergraduate Work Placement
- Illustration: Graduate Portfolio
- Alternative Futures Part 2
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BDes Illustration at University of Dundee earn?
The median salary is £24,500 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,500 and £32,500. The £26,500 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BDes Illustration at University of Dundee do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BDes Illustration at University of Dundee?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BDes Illustration at University of Dundee?
The typical offer is CCC at A level, or 28 points in the IB. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
Does BDes Illustration at University of Dundee include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BDes Illustration at University of Dundee?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.