BA Illustration
About this course
BA (Hons) in Illustration, an undergraduate degree focused on visual communication, creative experimentation, and the professional practice of illustration. Core topics include Fieldwork, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Entrepreneurship. Students can choose to undertake an optional placement year between the second and third years of study. The first year introduces foundational methods through units such as Introduction to Illustration, Curiosity and experimentation, Informed practice, and Authorship and voice, incorporating offsite trips and creative risk-taking. The second year expands practical techniques via Collaborative and collective practices, Fact and fiction, Visual methods, and Illustrators and communities, exploring sequential imagery and audience engagement. The final year centres on professional readiness and portfolio development through Professional futures, Critical practice, and Making in context. Optional intercalated routes include the Diploma in Professional Studies, the Diploma in Creative Computing, and the Diploma in Storytelling.
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
The standard entry requirements for this course are: 112 UCAS tariff points, which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points from 2 or more A Levels. Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma. Merit at UAL Extended Diploma. Distinction at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Access Diploma or 112 tariff new UCAS points from the Access to HE Diploma. 112 UCAS tariff points from an equivalent full Level 3 qualification. Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 25 points minimum. And three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).
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What students say
Based on about 38 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 80%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 75 students who started
- Continued on course: 96%
- Left higher education: 4%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 1,110 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 68%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 115 students who started
- A levels: 84%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 9%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Bronze overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Illustration
- Curiosity and experimentation
- Informed practice
- Authorship and voice
- Collaborative and collective practices
- Fact and fiction
- Visual methods
- Illustrators and communities
- Professional futures
- Critical practice
- Making in context
- Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)
- Diploma in Creative Computing
- Diploma in Storytelling
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at University of the Arts London earn?
The median salary is £23,500 after 3 years, £29,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,500 and £36,000. The £29,500 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for Design studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Illustration at University of the Arts London?
80% 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 the Arts London?
The typical offer is 25 points in the IB. The average entrant had 155 UCAS points.
Does BA Illustration at University of the Arts London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Illustration at University of the Arts London?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.