BA Illustration
About this course
BA (Hons) Illustration is an undergraduate degree focused on visual storytelling, studio practice and the professional application of illustration. Core topics include Research Methods, Communication & Writing, and Design & Creative Practice. Students undertake work-based industry placements and complete independent major projects. The first year establishes fundamental skills through Colour and Communication for Illustration, Visual Skills, Illustration Fundamentals, and Communication Studies 1. The second year expands into commercial and applied contexts via Illustration for Literature and Information, Place and Product for Illustration, Illustration for Moving Image, and Communication Studies 2. The final year culminates in advanced professional preparation and independent work through the Critical Research Project by Dissertation, Final Major Project, Client Studies, Professional and Promotional Practice, and Competition brief.
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: 96 (or above) Typical qualification requirements: A Level: CCC to include a relevant art and design subject Welsh BACC: Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level with a relevant art and design subject BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant art and design subject Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant art and design subject with a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points T Level: Pass (C and above) in a relevant art and design subject Additional requirements include: GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances
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What students say
Based on about 24 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 91%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 80%
What graduates do next
Based on about 18 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 30%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 25%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 320 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 7%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 11%
- Wales: 68%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Colour and Communication for Illustration
- Visual Skills
- Illustration Fundamentals
- Communication Studies 1
- Illustration for Literature and Information
- Place and Product for Illustration
- Illustration for Moving Image
- Communication Studies 2
- Critical Research Project by Dissertation
- Final Major Project
- Client Studies
- Professional and Promotional Practice
- Competition brief
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at University of South Wales earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,000 and £29,000. The £25,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Illustration at University of South Wales do next?
80% 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 South Wales?
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 South Wales?
The typical offer is CCC at A level. The average entrant had 116 UCAS points.