BA Illustration
About this course
BA (Honours) in Illustration, an illustration degree focused on creative practice, drawing foundations, and professional studio methods. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Project Management, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can optionally take a foundation year or an optional placement year. The first year covers core drawing and production methods through New Adventures In Illustration: Methods, Tools, Technologies and Pencils & Pixels: Drawing Foundations For Illustration. The second year expands into collaborative projects and professional context via Future Now: Collaboration In Action, Illustration In Action: Character, Narrative & Sequence, and In Here, Out There: Illustration Agency, alongside an optional Study Abroad - Creative Industries module. The third year includes the Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional Diploma. The final year culminates in professional portfolio building and immersive practice through Future Paths: Illustration Portfolio and Future Proof: Illustration Practice.
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 points: 112-120 A level: BBC-BBB at A Level. BTEC: DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma. T level: Merit overall from a T Level Qualification
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What students say
Based on about 34 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
What graduates do next
Based on about 66 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 83%
- Working and studying: 3%
- Further study: 4%
- Unemployed: 7%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 16%
- Sales occupations: 13%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 12%
- Elementary occupations: 11%
- Design occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 63%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 61%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 56%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 315 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 13%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 46%
- East Midlands: 14%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 6%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- New Adventures In Illustration: Methods, Tools, Technologies
- Pencils & Pixels: Drawing Foundations For Illustration
- Future Now: Collaboration In Action
- Illustration In Action: Character, Narrative & Sequence
- In Here, Out There: Illustration Agency
- Study Abroad - Creative Industries
- Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional Diploma
- Future Paths: Illustration Portfolio
- Future Proof: Illustration Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at Sheffield Hallam University earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £31,500. The £26,500 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Illustration at Sheffield Hallam University do next?
89% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Illustration at Sheffield Hallam University?
96% 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 Sheffield Hallam University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 144 UCAS points.
Does BA Illustration at Sheffield Hallam University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Illustration at Sheffield Hallam University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.