BA Illustration Animation
About this course
BA (Hons) in Illustration Animation, an undergraduate degree combining narrative and time-based visual media practices. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can also choose to undertake an optional year abroad during their studies. The first year establishes fundamental concepts through modules such as Studio: Introductory Principles, Process: Materials and Methods, Presentation: Collaboration and Communication, and Image & Text - Communication Design History for Illustration and Animation. The second year builds upon these foundations with Process: Technologies and Application, Presentation: Audience and Context, Studio: Practice and Purpose, and Critical Issues in Illustration and Animation: Research and Practice. The final year focuses on autonomous production and advanced execution through Studio: Practice and Realisation, Presentation: Professional Practice, Independent Research Project in Critical and Historical Studies, and Future Skills Apply.
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
Qualifications needed for 2027: UCAS tariff points: 120-136 The typical offer for this course is 120-136 UCAS points from Level 3 qualifications in Art & Design subjects. You could achieve this with: A-levels: BBB or A*CC; BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction Distinction Merit; Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: Distinction; Access to HE Diploma: 120 UCAS points, normally with 24 Distinctions and 21 Merits; IB Diploma: 27-29 points. The preferred route is to first take a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or a recognised equivalent course. Please refer to the Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice course page for further details how to apply and application deadlines. Additional requirements: Please submit a portfolio in digital format, 15-20 pages in length. Combining your work into a PDF is a good way to ensure your portfolio is easy to access and stays the way you want it to look. You can use other formats to show your work by including links in your PDF (such as links to a website, Instagram, Flickr or Vimeo account). Please make sure your links work, can be opened on different types of devices and are not password protected. You will be sent guidance on how to upload your portfolio when you have applied to your course. What we're looking for There is no single way to approach your submission. We are interested in evidence of your creative potential, your ideas, and your willingness to explore and experiment through your practice. We’re looking for you to demonstrate four key values: Visit our webpage Kingston School of Art: What we are looking for to gain insights from students and staff on how to approach your submission. What we're looking for in your portfolio English language: English language requirement for this course: Academic IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no element below 5.5. If you do not meet our English language requirements , you may be eligible for Kingston University's pre-sessional English language course. Check out our English Language Programme page for more details. If you’re applying from a recognised majority English-speaking country (MESC), you won’t need to meet the requirements. For further information on country-specific entry requirements, please explore our International section of the website.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 42%: 169 offers from 403 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 31 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started
- Continued on course: 91%
- Left higher education: 4%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 115 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 58%
- South East: 24%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 110 students who started
- A levels: 84%
- A degree: 6%
- Other HE qualification: 8%
- No formal qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Studio: Introductory Principles
- Process: Materials and Methods
- Presentation: Collaboration and Communication
- Image & Text - Communication Design History for Illustration and Animation
- Process: Technologies and Application
- Presentation: Audience and Context
- Studio: Practice and Purpose
- Critical Issues in Illustration and Animation: Research and Practice
- Studio: Practice and Realisation
- Presentation: Professional Practice
- Independent Research Project in Critical and Historical Studies
- Future Skills Apply
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration Animation at Kingston University earn?
The median salary is £21,000 after 3 years, £27,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £34,500. The £27,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Design studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Illustration Animation at Kingston University?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Illustration Animation at Kingston University?
The typical offer is 27 points in the IB. The average entrant had 178 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Illustration Animation at Kingston University?
42% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 169 offers from 403 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Illustration Animation at Kingston University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Illustration Animation at Kingston University?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.