BA Illustration
About this course
BA (Hons) in Illustration BA (Hons), a fashion design degree centred on visual communication, image-making, printmaking, and animation. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The course involves collaborative group projects, work-related experiences, and a final-year self-directed project. The first year covers foundational contextual studies and visual techniques through modules such as Creative Cultures: Making, Research & Reflection, Exploration: Mark Making, Exploration: Visual Storytelling, and Sustainability, Society And Impact. The second year expands into broader applications and techniques via Collaborative Creative Industries Project, Communication: Fact And Fiction, Communication: Illustration For Impact, and Art Trail. Students also select from various options such as Colour & Surface: Print, Texture & Material Exploration, Creative Heritage, Digital Journeys: Ux & Ui Design, Experimental Formats, Experimental Music And Sound Art, Hybrid Production Methods, Still Life Through The Lens, Surround Sound And Multichannel Audio, and Visual Effects & Motion Graphics. The final year focuses on advanced investigation and professional preparation through Contextual And Critical Investigation, Final Major Project Of Illustration, and Professional Practice.
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: 96 UCAS points. A Levels: CCC. BTEC: MMM. Other UK qualifications: 96 UCAS Tariff Points GCE A Levels- grades CCC or equivalent Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma – grade MMM Access to HE Diploma – Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – grade MMM T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer All applicants are individually assessed via a portfolio review. Read our portfolio advice for illustration applicants .
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What students say
Based on about 164 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 70%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 78%
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: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 49 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 74%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 3%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 25%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 9%
- Teaching Professionals: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 140 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 16%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 55%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 3%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 180 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 93%
- Access course: 1%
- Foundation course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 4%
- Other qualifications: 1%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Creative Cultures: Making, Research & Reflection
- Exploration: Mark Making
- Exploration: Visual Storytelling
- Sustainability, Society And Impact
- Collaborative Creative Industries Project
- Communication: Fact And Fiction
- Communication: Illustration For Impact
- Art Trail
- Colour & Surface: Print, Texture & Material Exploration
- Creative Heritage
- Digital Journeys: Ux & Ui Design
- Experimental Formats
- Experimental Music And Sound Art
- Hybrid Production Methods
- Still Life Through The Lens
- Surround Sound And Multichannel Audio
- Visual Effects & Motion Graphics
- Contextual And Critical Investigation
- Final Major Project Of Illustration
- Professional Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at University of Staffordshire earn?
The median salary is £23,500 after 15 months, £19,000 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,000 and £29,000. 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 Staffordshire do next?
87% 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 Staffordshire?
88% 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 Staffordshire?
The typical offer is CCC at A level. The average entrant had 125 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Illustration at University of Staffordshire?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.