BA Illustration
About this course
BA (Hons) Illustration is an undergraduate degree centred on practical illustration, creative practice and visual communication within the graphic arts. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Historical Research, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, Entrepreneurship, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can optionally undertake an initial foundation year or an optional industrial placement year during their studies. Year 0 covers foundational creative and technical skills through modules such as Creative and Technology Industries Study Skills, Creative and Technology Industries Data Skills, Media and Communication Skills, and Architecture and Visual Arts in Practice. Year 1 introduces core principles via Professional Life 1 (Mental Wealth), Practice 1, Contextual Studies 1, and Research into Practice 1. Year 2 builds on this with Professional Life 2 (Mental Wealth), Practice 2, Contextual Studies 2, and Advanced Practice. Year 3 focuses on independent work and final projects through Professional Life 3 (Mental Wealth), Practice 3, Independent Major Project Part A, and Independent Major Project Part B. Optional choices in the final year include Research into Practice 3 – Graphic Design & Illustration.
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 tariff points You will need one of the following: 96 UCAS points (standard offer), or 64 UCAS points (contextual offer) Read more about contextual offer eligibility. Points must come from a Level 3 qualification listed on the UCAS tariff calculator. Accepted qualifications We accept: A Levels in at least two subjects BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM (standard) / MPP (contextual) BTEC Diploma – DD (standard) / MM (contextual) Access to HE Diploma T Levels International Baccalaureate – 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level We also welcome applications from students who are taking Level 3 or higher qualifications not on the UCAS tariff calculator. These are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Additional requirements You will also need: GCSE English Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in English GCSE Mathematics Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics All applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio. International qualifications We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit our International page for full details.
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What students say
Based on about 45 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 81%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 17 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Design occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 155 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 63%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Mental Wealth and Professional Fitness
- Creative and Technology Industries Study Skills
- Creative and Technology Industries Data Skills
- Media and Communication Skills
- Architecture and Visual Arts in Practice
- Professional Life 1 (Mental Wealth)
- Practice 1
- Contextual Studies 1
- Research into Practice 1
- Experimentation and Application 1A
- Experimentation and Application 1B
- Professional Life 2 (Mental Wealth)
- Practice 2
- Contextual Studies 2
- Research into Practice 2
- Advanced Experimentation and Applications
- Advanced Practice
- Industrial Sandwich Placement
- Professional Life 3 (Mental Wealth)
- Practice 3
- Independent Major Project Part A
- Independent Major Project Part B
- Applied Practice 3
- Research into Practice 3 – Extended Research Project
- Research into Practice 3 – Graphic Design & Illustration
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at University of East London earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,000 and £30,000. The £23,500 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Illustration at University of East London do next?
90% 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 East London?
86% 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 East London?
The typical offer is 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 90 UCAS points.
Does BA Illustration at University of East London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Illustration at University of East London?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.