BA Illustration
About this course
BA (Hons) in Illustration BA (Hons), a fashion design degree centred on creative image making and visual communication practices. Core topics include Research Methods, Communication & Writing, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The curriculum incorporates live industry projects and concludes with a public degree show exhibition. The first year covers foundational methods through compulsory modules such as Drawing, Context: Making Art and Artists, Visual Narratives, and Presenting Representation. Year two builds on this foundation with modules including Engagement, Making, Sensing, Thinking, Professional Networks, and Exhibition, allowing students to refine their technical skills. The final year focuses on independent portfolio development and contextual analysis through Advanced Studio, Dissertation, Degree Show, and Professional Futures.
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
Minimum entry requirements: 104 UCAS Tariff points; and 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language. Portfolio Day: If your application is successful, you will be invited to a portfolio day. On the day, you will show your work to our tutors and discuss your work and the ideas behind it. You should prepare your portfolio with a range of work that may include finished projects, sketch books, digital work, paintings, photographs, drawings, 3D work, storyboards, short films or animations.
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What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 75%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 46%
- Learning resources: 67%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 98 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 74%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 3%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 13%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 12%
- Design occupations: 8%
- Sales occupations: 7%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 68%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 62%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 51%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 280 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 11%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 66%
- East Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 3%
- South East: 1%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 85%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Drawing
- Context: Making Art and Artists
- Visual Narratives
- Presenting Representation
- Engagement
- Making, Sensing, Thinking
- Professional Networks
- Exhibition
- Art: Ethics and Aesthetics
- Professional Networks (Exchange)*
- Advanced Studio
- Dissertation
- Degree Show
- Professional Futures
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Illustration at York St John University earn?
The median salary is £23,500 after 15 months, £19,000 after 3 years, £22,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,000 and £27,500. The £22,500 median after five years is £3,500 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Illustration at York St John University 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 York St John University?
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 York St John University?
The average entrant had 145 UCAS points.
Does BA Illustration at York St John University 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 York St John University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.