BA Illustration
About this course
BA (Hons) in Illustration BA (Hons), a fashion design degree focusing on the creation of narrative and imagery within contemporary visual communication. Core topics include Communication & Writing, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes a foundation year option for additional preparation before standard undergraduate study. The foundation year begins with Professional and Academic Skills for University Study, Applied Learning Project, and Foundations in Design and Creative Arts. The first year introduces fundamentals through Exploring Creative Practice, Roles and Contexts, Creative Projects, and Critical and Cultural Perspectives. The second year advances study with Creative Collaborations, Visual and Material Culture, Becoming Illustrators, and Illustration Practice. The final year concludes the programme with Careers for Illustrators, Illustration Insights, and Professional Portfolio.
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
A typical offer for this Illustration degree would be: BBC at A-Level or, DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or, Merit at T Level A Foundation Diploma in Art and Design will also be accepted. Other Entry Requirements: Students with a relevant HND or Foundation Degree with a suitable profile of achievement may be admitted onto year two or three. We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications. For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page . If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page . Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements: The University of Northampton now offers on a range of our courses an alternative route to study; the integrated foundation year (IFY). Admission to this foundation programme is normally: DEE at A-Level or, MPP at BTEC or, Pass (D or E) at T Level However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.
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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: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 19 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 15%
- Design occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 165 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 41%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 15%
- London: 12%
- South East: 20%
- South West: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional and Academic Skills for University Study
- Applied Learning Project
- Foundations in Design and Creative Arts
- Exploring Creative Practice
- Roles and Contexts
- Creative Projects
- Critical and Cultural Perspectives
- Creative Collaborations
- Visual and Material Culture
- Becoming Illustrators
- Illustration Practice
- Careers for Illustrators
- Illustration Insights
- Professional Portfolio
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at University of Northampton earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £24,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,000 and £28,500. The £24,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Illustration at University of Northampton 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 at University of Northampton?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Illustration at University of Northampton?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 126 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Illustration at University of Northampton?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.