Illustration BA (Hons)

Develop the skills you need to confidently navigate your future career. You’ll engage in real-world professional activities like networking simulations, mock interviews, and digital branding exercises, supported by industry guest speakers and career coaches. Practical sessions will sharpen your communication, research, and critical thinking abilities, while workshops will guide you in building a digital portfolio to strengthen your employability. Alongside hands-on experience, you’ll map your career goals and reflect on your progress, ensuring you leave with a clear, personalised development plan. This is your chance to take control of your professional journey with expert support every step of the way.

Build the academic and professional skills you need for success in the creative and technology industries. You’ll develop key study techniques, including effective note-taking, research, academic writing, and digital communication. Through workshops, tutorials, and practical tasks, you’ll boost your confidence as an independent learner and strengthen your ability to plan, organise, and deliver assignments. You’ll also learn how to manage your time effectively, reference sources correctly, and apply your skills in real-world contexts. Guided by academic staff and supported by online resources, you’ll create a solid foundation for excelling both at university and in your future career.

Strong numeracy and data-handling skills are vital in creative industries. In this module, you’ll learn how to interpret graphs, solve problems using digital tools like spreadsheets, and present numerical information clearly. Practical exercises build your confidence with real-world scenarios, supporting your wider academic and professional development. By focusing on rational problem-solving and applied data skills, you’ll strengthen your ability to work independently and collaboratively on future creative projects that demand critical analysis.

Understanding how media messages are created and interpreted is essential in today’s digital world. This module introduces you to key frameworks for analysing visual media, while also building your ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively. You’ll design an academic poster using professional software, develop critical thinking around cultural differences, and practise both oral and written communication for academic and industry contexts. A creative, skills-focused approach ensures you gain a strong foundation for your degree and professional journey.

Developing a personal, critical approach to art and design practice is the focus of this module. You’ll complete projects exploring materials, techniques, and visual communication, using research-led processes to underpin your creative decisions. Independent thinking is encouraged as you build a portfolio showcasing your growing expertise. Lectures, studio sessions, and group critiques provide the framework for reflection and skill progression, ensuring you’re ready for the demands of higher-level study in visual arts disciplines.

Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to identify the skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will begin to recognise the areas for your own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligences) through taught and workshop activity.

Central to the developmental process is for each student to cultivate the reflective skills, openness and self-awareness to enable themselves to assess what they are doing, identify areas for improvement, and confidently receive and give constructive feedback. You will additionally develop knowledge of strategies to advance your own physical intelligence through 'lifestyle' and 'self-care' approaches to inform their health and wellbeing.

Having acquired understanding of the key developmental areas, you will have opportunity to join in-house activities as a trainee, mentored and supervised by students from higher years. In this position you will learn and begin to apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligences developed elsewhere in your studies (and from  external activities) as required in the workplace, namely cognitive flexibility, emotional resilience, motivation, ethical decision-making, managing your audience, coordinating with others, negotiation, creativity, active listening, attention, problem-solving, research, synthesis and analysis.

This module serves as a rigorous introduction to creative practice, an overview of fundamental skills that will enable experimentation and application, and the development of your own working practice. The module aims to provide you with an introduction to practical and critical study, to understand the role of research in creative practice and in supporting the development of creative projects. The approach aims to imbue an experimental and open-minded attitude that enhances levels of production and strengthens adaptability, personal confidence and the ability to creatively solve visual ideas. Through experimental and production of work, you will begin to understand your work in relation to research and feel empowered. The module allows students to discuss and develop their work with the help of group critiques and views of others in the enhancement of ideas through to creative outcomes.

At the end of the module, you will be able to begin to self-manage the development of a creative practice and to disseminate ideas.

Contextual Studies in the first term equips you to understand the history of fine art, and its relevance today. The module comprises thematic lectures, seminars, screenings and field trips as well as keystone research and writing skills such as the use of citation, referencing and academic integrity appropriate to undergraduate study. The module content will support the development of your practical work on the adjoining modules. At the end of the module, you will have developed the skills for analysing and contextualising your own work, and that of your peers.

You will begin to establish an intellectual framework within which you can begin to understand a relationship between theory and your own practice. You will begin to contribute critically in the seminars, in relation to contemporary and historical research methodologies. The module is supported by one-to-one tutorials. At the end of the module, you would have developed the skills for analysing and contextualising your own work, to be applied further in the second year of your study. The outcome of this module is both a presentation of your practice or research area and a written work.

The lectures are complemented by tutor-led discussions focusing on student work in progress, interrogating the practical work within the context established by the lectures in order to promote deeper understanding and extend creative ambition.

The module focuses on process, developing skills and practical knowledge encouraging you to discover a range of creative ways of working within the context of your discipline as well as extended practice supporting your developing practice. The module is backed up with regular group tutorials.

This module introduces you to a further range of processes and practices, skills and knowledge, through a series of workshops, projects and electives to extend your practice.

Technical introductions and workshops enable you to broaden the scope of your skills and practice, as well as specific workshops pertinent to contemporary processes and methods, including a range of analogue and digital tools.

These skills and processes are introduced and discussed in relation to the development of a visual language applicable to contemporary fine art, graphic design, illustration, photography and animation practice.

The module allows you to present your work to audiences, testing your ideas and concepts, and receiving feedback feeding forward to your practice and to level 5 of study. Cross-disciplinary exhibitions are encouraged as well as inter-disciplinary discourse.

The module Practice into Research supports the module and allows you to contextualise your practice in the form of a presentation of your work.

Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance is increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.

This module will help you apply several skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will advance the areas identified at level 4 for your personal and professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligence) through taught and workshop activities.

Through engagement with the Career Passport, you will reflect on the success of the strategies that you employed to develop your reflective skills, self-awareness, ‘lifestyle’ and ‘self-care’ approaches and where necessary improve your approaches.

You can select in-house microbusiness/ life briefs and commissions to join in the role of ‘producer’. In this position you will take on a specific production role, working collaboratively with peers and academic staff on a live project. You will apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligence learnt elsewhere in your studies (and external development) required in the workplace. In addition to the intelligence developed in the level 4 Mental Wealth module, you will also focus on service orientation, self-discipline & management, reaction & response time, cognitive & muscle memory, managing stress, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, research, synthesis & analysis.

Main topics of study:

The module will enable you to apply and develop further a variety of skills-based competencies explored at level 4. They include self-awareness and regulation; mindfulness; emotional resilience; motivation; ethical decision-making; active listening; self-discipline and management; attention; reaction and response time; cognitive and muscle memory; managing stress; physical resilience; and subject knowledge. You will rehearse and apply these skills in your creative practice modules. You will apply and develop new competencies including cognitive flexibility; managing an audience; co-ordinating with others, negotiation; creativity; leadership and entrepreneurship; service orientation; critical thinking; complex problem-solving; research synthesis and analysis.

• Working on client briefs/competitions/commissions to a professional outcome that meets the needs of the client/commissioner/audiences
• Considering your practice through project work that will have a positive social impact on the wider society
• Attending and engaging in the cluster employability initiative Detour Ahead: Roadmaps for the Art and Design Industry. The Detour Ahead programme includes a week of interdisciplinary practitioners talking about their route to professional success. The week also includes professional practice knowledge such as copyright and licensing, freelancing, and tax; giving the level 5 students more in-depth understanding to apply for your own professional life.
• Application of creative coding for visual practitioners
• Performing roles and responsibilities of creative teams including communication, co-ordinating with others, negotiation; creativity; leadership and entrepreneurship; critical thinking; complex problem solving; research synthesis and analysis.
• Developing and editing creative industries CV and cover letter and the format and tone of this for potential work placements and experience over summer break between levels 5 and 6
• Creation of a digital public profile

The module enables you to expand on the skills and knowledge from level 4, encouraging you to take risks, try new things, and not to be afraid of learning through mistakes and failure to develop your practice. This, in turn, will help you to begin to define your individual approach to fine art, fine art technology, graphic design, design interaction, illustration, animation and photography.

The emphasis of this module will be on research and the development of a body of references that supports practice-based outcomes, supported by the Contextual Studies module.

At Contextual Studies Level 5, students will consolidate and continue to advance the theories and research methodologies introduced at Level 4. In addition, students will begin to build critical thinking and understanding of contemporary art and design production, dissemination and reception within an expanded field. By addressing the historical, political, economic, social, environmental and ethical aspects of art and design, this module aims to equip students with the main discussions concerning these issues, and the space to test their understanding of them in relation to art and design practice (their own, and that of their peers). The module develops students advanced conceptual skills and analytical abilities, research and writing skills appropriate to the study of art and design at this level, feeding directly into key studio projects across the year so that the research methodologies we develop may be tested and deeper connections between practice and theory explored. 

The module is further supported by making use of the opportunities for first-hand encounters with visual art and design available in London art galleries, museums and art institutions.

The module continues to build your critical thinking and understanding of contemporary art and design production, dissemination and reception within an expanded field. The module aims to equip you with the space to test your understanding of theories and debates in relation to and reference to your own work and practice.

You will draw connections between theoretical approaches and your own practice in the form of a written piece of work/ document.

At the end of the module, you will produce a 200-word critical rationale in preparation for your choice of a level 6 research into practice route.

The module builds on the technical processes introduced through workshops and technical demonstrations at Level 4, focusing on developing your advanced technical skills and locating your work in relevant professional and creative contexts. The module equips you to experiment with and make appropriate use of materials, processes, and technologies, showing an understanding of quality standards and attention to detail.

The module delivery includes advanced workshops/masterclasses by tutors who are working in the industry /industry connections/ visits to industry or e.g. professional production companies.

The module supports the development of work in other level 5 modules.

The module will allow you to develop your practice as an artist, design thinker, illustrator, animator and photographer. The module develops an individual working practice supported by group seminars and one to one tutorials. It also introduces you to working collaboratively via presentation of work at the end of year showcase.

The module enables you to expand on the skills and knowledge from level 4, encouraging you to take risks, try new things, not to be afraid of learning through mistakes and failure to develop your practice. At the end of the module you will be able to begin to self-manage the development of a creative practice, install and exhibit your work, and disseminate ideas to audiences.

The module will prepare you to undertake an independent project in their discipline of fine art, fine art technology, graphic design, design interaction, illustration, animation, photography in level 6.

The emphasis of will be to provide a distinctive area of study appropriate to the work-based focus. The internship undertaken should show as much integration as possible of the abilities across academic modules already completed. This may vary from one student to the next, and the internship will ideally be tailored to the interests and aspirations of the student, whether they are currently employed in the Industry or not, but ultimately meet the needs of employers. The subject discipline may vary widely, however the emphasis should be on applying existing knowledge and skills in work place rather than new knowledge.

Developing the key psychological and physical determinants of human performance are increasingly critical for successful graduate-level employment, entrepreneurship and career progression in the 4th industrial revolution.

This module will provide you with the opportunity to apply the full range of skills, competencies and experience required for successful development to, and in, a range of potential future career areas.

You will advance the areas identified at level 5 for your own personal professional development (including emotional, social, physical, cultural and cognitive intelligence) through taught and workshop activities.

Through engagement with the Career Passport, you will reflect on the success of the strategies that you employed to further develop your reflective skills, self-awareness, ‘lifestyle’ and ‘self-care’ approaches and where necessary improve your approaches.

You will have the opportunity to select in-house microbusiness/life briefs and commissions to join in the role of ‘manager’. In this position, you will oversee the successful operation of the enterprise, coach and mentor students new to the programme and lead those working in ‘producer’ roles. Working collaboratively with peers and academic staff, you will ensure the effective delivery of a live project by managing people and physical resources. In doing so you will apply the cognitive, cultural and social intelligence learnt elsewhere in your studies (and from external activities) required in the workplace.

You will have the opportunity to enter external facing industry / live briefs such as D&AD New Blood Awards, AOP Student Awards, Sony student competition, Lensculture, Life Framer etc. in order to leverage your raise and improve your employment prospects.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, designers, illustrators, animators and photographers.

The module does this by introducing choice. We ask you to reflect their idea of what your own practice might be, filling gaps of knowledge or extending their skill set. It's about you setting the terms and direction of travel, exploring in an extensive and critical way.

The work in this module will be developed through extensive research and practical testing of ideas and processes, informed by critical, contextual, historical, conceptual, economic, social and ethical research.

Self-critique and responsiveness to the views of others is important part of the module in the development of your ideas and proposal.

At the end of the module you will have proposed and refined your own agenda for term 2 negotiated body of work to be presented at the degree showcase at the end of the academic year.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, designers, illustrators, animators and photographers. You will produce an independent negotiated project, that enables you to work towards your own agenda and own it. You will develop and apply advanced creative processes to a professional outcome showcased at a public exhibition of the work at the University. This readies you for your next objective; employment or postgraduate study.

This module is about preparing you to be fine artists, graphic designers, illustrators, animators and photographers. During part B of the Independent Major Project, you will finalise the production of the independently negotiated project, culminating in a presentation at the degree showcase.

The module allows you to develop and apply advanced production methods to a professional outcome showcased at a public exhibition of the work at the University. Each student will contribute towards the planning, production and curation of the Degree Showcase. This readies you for your next objective; employment or postgraduate study.

The modules in level 6 are designed to be inclusive of your discipline and respond to differentiated assessment needs. The graphic design, illustration and animation Research into Practice route is a group research project, that responds to the working practices and visual culture of designers, illustrators and animators.

The Graphic Design, Illustration and Animation Research into Practice module is a project that aims to test all of the research methods and critical thinking skills you have acquired from levels 4 and 5, and contribute them to a group research project that is informed by a shared subject (which is negotiated annually). As well as demonstrating through writing and discussion a level analysis of visual and theoretical subjects appropriate to your final year of study, the aim of this module is to augment academic practice (research, writing, discussion, presentations) with material research based on studio practice (experimentation, skill development, iterative design and illustrative processes and techniques).

As individuals, you will present your response to the shared research subject together with a supporting document that captures the key research, analysis and argumentation that links theory to your own design, animation or illustration practice. You will also produce a final outcome based on this presentation, which is public-facing and utilises appropriate media. Each student's response will depend on their position as a graphic designer/illustrator/ animator who is aware of key design, illustration and animation concepts and who understands their responsibilities in contemporary society.

The modules in level 6 are designed to be inclusive of your discipline and respond to differentiated assessment needs. The Extended Research project route is aimed as a specific route to those fine art, fine art technology, illustration, graphic design, design interaction, animation and photography students whose professional practice aims are not covered e.g. the Global Photography (documentary in nature) and Contemporary Practice in Fine Art (assessed by an exhibition).

The Extended Research Project route allows you to contextualise your practice through the study of an area of art and design or of a subject that provides potential content for your practical work.

You will develop skills in negotiating and making use of research resources, formulate a research proposal and plan a research strategy. You will be expected to demonstrate an ability to synthesise and analyse ideas and apply them constructively to understanding your chosen subject while, at the same time, developing knowledge which will contextualise and support your own practice. You will also gain skills in writing and presentation. The outcome will be a written project, which articulates the findings of your enquiry. The key here is that you develop a study of an area of art and graphic design or of a subject that provides content for your practical work.

The modules in level 6 are designed to be inclusive of students’ discipline, and respond to differentiated assessment needs. The graphic design, illustration and animation Research into Practice route is a group research project, that responds to the working practices and visual culture of designers, illustrators and animators. 

The Graphic Design, Illustration and Animation Research into Practice module is a project that aims to test all of the research methods and critical thinking skills you have acquired from levels 4 and 5, and contribute them to a group research project that is informed by a shared subject (which is negotiated annually). As well as demonstrating through writing and discussion a level analysis of visual and theoretical subjects appropriate to your final year of study, the aim of this module is to augment academic practice (research, writing, discussion, presentations) with material research based on studio practice (experimentation, skill development, iterative design and illustrative processes and techniques). 

As individuals, you will present your response to the shared research subject together with a supporting document that captures the key research, analysis and argumentation that links theory to your own design, animation or illustration practice. You will also produce a final outcome based on this presentation, which is public-facing and utilises appropriate media. Your response will depend on your position as a graphic designer/illustrator/ animator who is aware of key design, illustration and animation concepts and who understands their responsibilities in contemporary society.

The modules in level 6 are designed to be inclusive of your discipline and respond to differentiated assessment needs. The Extended Research project route is aimed as a specific route to those fine art, fine art technology, Illustration, graphic design, design interaction, animation and photography students whose professional practice aims are not covered e.g. the Global Photography (documentary in nature) and Contemporary Practice in Fine Art (assessed by an exhibition).

The Extended Research Project route allows you to contextualise your practice through the study of an area of art and design or of a subject that provides potential content for your practical work. You will develop skills in negotiating and making use of research resources, formulate a research proposal and plan a research strategy. 

You will be expected to demonstrate an ability to synthesise and analyse ideas and apply them constructively to understanding your chosen subject while, at the same time, developing knowledge which will contextualise and support your own practice. You will also gain skills in writing and presentation. The outcome will be a written project, which articulates the findings of your inquiry. The key here is that you develop a study of an area of art and design or of a subject that provides content for your practical work.