BA Illustration with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Illustration with Foundation Year is an undergraduate fashion design degree incorporating a preliminary foundation year. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes a dedicated studio space shared across all year groups. The first year establishes fundamental practices through Introducing Creative Research Practice, Seeing, Thinking, Making Meaning, and Creative Playbook. The second year advances into visual communication and collaboration with modules such as Introducing Visual Communication, Cultural Contexts, and Collaborative Practice. The third year focuses on technique and context through The Illustrators Toolkit, Drawing, and The Critical Illustrator. The final year culminates in independent study and professional presentation via Advanced Illustration Projects, Independent Research Paper, and Illustration Showcase.
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
48 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table . A-levels: A. T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course. Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass. Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points. Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points. Other experience: Pearson Level 3 National Diploma MP. Selection criteria: As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained. All places are offered subject to successful interview and portfolio. Please prepare your portfolio carefully to show evidence of your creativity, drawing, idea development, design and technical skills. We also like to see expressive and experimental work. There is no one, ideal portfolio and we are used to looking at the work of students from many different courses and colleges. Although we want to see your work, we are more interested in meeting you and giving you the opportunity at interview to express your passion and commitment for illustration. The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.
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What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 79%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 74%
- Student voice: 65%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 20%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 14%
- North West: 62%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 9%
- East Midlands: 5%
- London: 1%
- South East: 1%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Other HE qualification: 25%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introducing Creative Research Practice
- Seeing, Thinking, Making Meaning
- Ideas, Images and Objects
- Innovation Lab
- Creative Industries Toolkit
- Creative Playbook
- Introducing Visual Communication
- Cultural Contexts
- Collaborative Practice
- Multi-Dimensional Illustration
- The Illustrators Toolkit
- Drawing
- Illustration Projects
- The Critical Illustrator
- Advanced Illustration Projects
- Independent Research Paper
- Illustration Showcase
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £17,000 after 3 years, £22,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,000 and £25,000. The £22,000 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Illustration with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Illustration with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
79% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Illustration with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
The average entrant had 124 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Illustration with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.