
Illustration BA (Hons)
Course Overview - Illustration BA (Hons)
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 youve 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 illustrati...
<strong>This is a Connected Degree</strong><br/>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 youve started your course.<br/><br/><strong>Overview</strong><br/>Redefine the world with a pencil or stylus on this BA (Hons) Illustration degree course.<br/><br/>You’ll challenge convention in all spheres: from exploring illustration from new perspectives, to delving into its social, political and historical significance. Youll 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.<br/><br/>At the end of this course, youll become an all-encompassing illustrator that stands out among competitors in the creative industries. <br/><br/><strong>Course highlights</strong><br/>• Raise your professional profile by taking on live projects with local and international clients such as Anglepoise<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Catch potential employers eyes by exhibiting your work at national exhibitions and our annual Graduate Show<br/><br/><br/><br/>• 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<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Enrich your practical and industry experience by taking an optional one-year placement – either with a company or by setting up your own<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Showcase your Adobe expertise to industry peers by gaining Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) qualifications<br/><br/><br/><br/>- 90% Graduates in work or further study (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey conducted in 2019)<br/><br/><br/><strong>Careers and opportunities</strong><br/>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.<br/><br/>You can also continue your studies at postgraduate level.<br/><br/>Graduate areas<br/><br/>Areas previous graduates have gone on to include:<br/><br/><br/>- artist book making<br/><br/><br/>- children’s book illustration<br/><br/><br/>- narrative illustration<br/><br/><br/>- print making<br/><br/><br/>- art direction<br/><br/><br/>- teaching<br/><br/><br/>Ongoing careers support<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.
Course Information
2 options available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
21/09/2026
Campus
Main Site
Application Details
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
W220
Institution Code
P80
Points of Entry
Year 1, Year 2, Year 3
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff
Scottish Higher
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Access to HE Diploma
106-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
GCSE/National 4/National 5
2 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above to include English.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Scottish Advanced Higher
104-120 Tariff points.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Cambridge Pre-U score of 44-50.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
A level
T Level
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
104-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 1 A level, plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
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