BA Illustration
About this course
BA (Hons) in Illustration, a fashion design degree exploring image-making and creative practice. The curriculum incorporates studio projects, technical instruction, and contextual studies. Students complete up to four years of study depending on the chosen pathway. The second year covers fundamental principles, theories, and working practices through technical instruction and imaginative solutions. The third year shifts focus towards live projects, documentary work, observational drawing, web design, and artists' books, alongside opportunities for study abroad and industry visits. The final year centres on the development of individual ideas, opinions, and personal concerns within practical work.
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: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 10%: 39 offers from 403 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 28 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 95%
- Working and studying: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 20%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 10%
- Design occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 27%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 40%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 25%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- principles
- theories
- working practices
- technical instruction
- imaginative solutions
- research skills
- technical facility
- exchanges
- competitions
- live projects
- pictorial narrative
- documentary work
- observational drawing
- web design
- artists' books
- expression
- analysis
- explanation
- work on commercially focused projects
- produce print work
- take part in industry visits
- take a range of Design and Screen Culture courses that explore theories of design and help you contextualise your work in cultural, social and political issues and ideas
- study abroad, which will help broaden your understanding of the discipline
- ideas
- opinions
- concerns in your work
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £27,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £37,000. The £27,500 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Illustration at University of Edinburgh do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Illustration at University of Edinburgh?
91% 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 University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 165 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Illustration at University of Edinburgh?
10% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 39 offers from 403 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Illustration at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Illustration at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.