UWE Bristol - BA Hons Illustration with Foundation Year

UWE Bristol

BA Hons Illustration with Foundation Year

Learn in a creative and supportive studio environment with professional-standard facilities and a focus on helping you gain real-world skills for the workplace.

Why study illustration?

Studying illustration opens the door to diverse careers in the creative industries.

You will respond to ideas, explore narratives and work across a range of media, including 2D, 3D and moving image.

Self-directed projects could range from editorial to narrative, 3D model-making to film, animation to artists' books, providing excellent preparation for the commercial world.

Why UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Illustration encourages you to create and develop your own personal visual language. Problem-solving through drawing and making is core.

You'll be based at Bower Ashton Studios, part of the City Campus. Exceptional facilities and resources include industry-standard digital media studios and production and fabrication workshops.

Explore a range of media and deepen your awareness of the ideas, concepts and contexts of illustration through theoretical studies. Build an awareness of the professional world and develop core skills through individual experimentation.

Innovation and individualism are celebrated. Investigate potential contexts and audiences for your work and test yourself against industry expectations through live briefs, and national and international competitions.

City Campus is a creative powerhouse that spans the city of Bristol and is made up of Bower Ashton, Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed.

Our strong industry links with the thriving city of Bristol ensure input from illustrators and creatives. Visits from respected practitioners will keep you up to date with contemporary illustration practice.

Attend lectures and seminars at the Arnolfini and Watershed and work in our production and fabrication workshops, equipped with traditional tools and the latest technology.

Showcase your work to talent scouts and potential employers at the final year Creative Industries Degree Show and D&AD New Blood, London.

Focusing on the avenues that interest you, you'll graduate with an impressive portfolio of work, ready to make your mark as an illustrator.

Where can it take me?

This course prepares you for a sustainable and flexible career in illustration.

Alongside established freelance illustration career paths, our graduates work as film directors, set designers, art/creative directors, illustration agents, visualisers, designers, model-makers, animators, storyboard artists, puppeteers and theatrical/film costume and prop designers.

Entry Requirements

  • Tariff points: 48
  • GCSE: Grade C/4 in English Literature or Language, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Literacy and Numeracy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.
  • English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are requirement to have a mimimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 with 5.5 in each component.
  • A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.

Career Prospects

Tailoring what and how you study, you can shape the course towards your chosen career path.

Our graduates go on to work across all areas of the creative industries.

They are film directors, set designers, art/creative directors, illustration agents, visualisers, designers, model-makers, animators, storyboard artists, puppeteers, theatrical/film costume and prop designers.

Past students work as:

  • Animator/filmmaker at Arthur Cox
  • Model/puppet-maker at Aardman Animation
  • Prop-maker for Harry Potter Film Franchise
  • Creative Director at Landor Associates
  • Art Editor at NoBrow
  • Artist at Damien Hirst Studios
  • Art Editor at MacMillan Publishers.

Others establish successful freelance careers as illustrators.

Our alumni also include a Batsford Prize winner and the designer of the new Elbow album cover.

Course Details

Year 0 Foundation Year

Drawing and Making
Developmental Project: Building a Creative Identity
Academic Skills
Foundation Project

Year 1

Introduction to Illustration
Narrative and Sequence
Professional Practice and Work Experience in Illustration 1
Critical Perspectives
Visual Essay.

Year 2

Word and Image
Process and Practice
Professional Practice and Work Experience in Illustration 2
Creative Analysis
Developing Visual Narratives.

One optional module
Professional Practice and Work Experience in Illustration 2
Collaborate.

Final Year

Preparation for Extended Study in Illustration
Extended Study in Illustration
Professional Practice and Work Experience in Illustration 3
Independent Research Project.

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

Are you ready to start building your future?

Contact our admission counseller and get a free consultation.