Illustration

University of Portsmouth
Undergraduate BA (Hons) Full-time 3 Years ArtFashion, textiles, and jewelleryGraphic designProduct design

A-Level Entry

BBB - BBC

UCAS Points

112 - 120 points

Avg. Graduate Salary

£24,500

About this course

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview Redefine the world with a pencil or stylus on this BA (Hons) Illustration degree course.

You’ll challenge convention in all spheres: from exploring illustration from new perspectives, to delving into its social, political and historical significance. You'll explore traditional and contemporary illustration techniques and the business essentials of the art form – and you can gain extra professional experience through a one-year placement, client projects, and entering design competitions.

At the end of this course, you'll become an all-encompassing illustrator that stands out among competitors in the creative industries.

Course highlights

  • Raise your professional profile by taking on live projects with local and international clients such as Anglepoise

  • Catch potential employers' eyes by exhibiting your work at national exhibitions and our annual Graduate Show

  • Have the chance to win eminent awards by entering international competitions like Design & Art Direction (D&AD), The Macmillan Prize, and the V&A Illustration Awards

  • Enrich your practical and industry experience by taking an optional one-year placement – either with a company or by setting up your own

  • Showcase your Adobe expertise to industry peers by gaining Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) qualifications

  • 90% Graduates in work or further study (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey conducted in 2019)

    Careers and opportunities The creative and technical abilities you develop on this course – in sequential storytelling, character animation, and visual storytelling – could lead to a variety of creative roles in design and media.

    You can also continue your studies at postgraduate level.

    Graduate areas

    Areas previous graduates have gone on to include:

  • artist book making

  • children’s book illustration

  • narrative illustration

  • print making

  • art direction

  • teaching

    Ongoing careers support

    Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing, or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.

    Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

    • Entry Requirements

    A-Level Grades BBB - BBC
    UCAS Tariff Points 112 - 120 points
    BTEC DDM - DMM

    Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 3 Years

    Qualification: BA (Hons)

    Location: Portsmouth

    Avg. Salary: £24,500

    Sandwich

    Duration: 4 Years

    Qualification: BA (Hons)

    Location: Portsmouth

    Avg. Salary: £24,500

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    2142 Graphic and multimedia designers
    3421 Interior designers
    3422 Clothing, fashion and accessories designers
    3411 Artists
    3429 Design occupations

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    A-Levels

    BBB - BBC

    UCAS Points

    112 - 120 points

    Avg. Salary

    £26,000

    Course Details

    Qualification
    Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    3 Years
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Portsmouth
    Scheme
    Undergraduate
    Subjects
    Art, Fashion, textiles, and jewellery, Graphic design, Product design
    Avg. Graduate Salary
    £24,500

    Offered by

    University of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth

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