Illustration (with integrated foundation year)

University of Cumbria
Undergraduate BA (Hons) Full-time 4 Years ArtFashion, textiles, and jewelleryGraphic designProduct design

A-Level Entry

A

UCAS Points

48 points

Avg. Graduate Salary

£24,000

About this course

Have alternative qualifications or don't quite meet our entry criteria? Our introductory year will help develop your skills and confidence in a supportive environment.

Want to become a great illustrator? One who takes a line and conjures worlds that compel and transfix? Technique is important. Courage is needed. But individuality is demanded. That’s why we’ll give you the space, resources and inspiration to find your voice. That’s why, with our help, you’ll make art that makes a difference.

Course Overview

Your foundation year will give you the technical expertise and knowledge to progress to our highly respected undergraduate programme.

We will help you develop strong drawing, composition, and colour skills that will underpin your personal visual language, allowing you to develop a unique voice as an artist. You’ll gain the experience, confidence, and advanced technical skills you need to succeed. And once you find your voice as an artist, your personality, passion and the quality of the work in your portfolio will get you noticed. You’ll receive extensive feedback, support, and advice throughout your studies and have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, as well as the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, including ‘live briefs’ to develop and hone your skills.

We are unique amongst illustration courses in giving you a thorough grounding in graphic design. You’ll have the necessary skills and experience to stand out from the crowd.

On this course you will

  • Learn within an institute recognised by the industry as a course provider that engenders strong drawing skills. Through doing so, we provide our graduates with the backbone of a long career.

  • Be encouraged to develop an individual approach to illustration - allowing you to develop a personal style that stands out from the crowd.

  • Have regular and meaningful contact with tutorials, workshops, and discussions - reinforcing your practice with the support of tutors and peers who know you and your work inside and out.

  • Be included in deciding what direction the course/module/brief should take. Small group sizes mean a supportive and open community of practice.

  • Have access to a large professional studio space that is open plan and shared across all-year groups. Stock up on supplies with our in-house shop and experiment in our reprographic department.
  • Entry Requirements

    A-Level Grades A
    UCAS Tariff Points 48 points
    Scottish Higher DDDD
    BTEC PPP

    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

    Course Details

    Qualification
    Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    4 Years
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Carlisle
    Scheme
    Undergraduate
    Subjects
    Art, Fashion, textiles, and jewellery, Graphic design, Product design
    Avg. Graduate Salary
    £24,000