About the course
The advent of digital media has created an explosion of possibilities when it comes to illustration. This innovative course gives you the drawing skills, techniques and industry know-how to produce, distribute and publish your graphic work.
This course takes in the full scope of contemporary illustration practice from craft-based techniques and drawing to digital and sequential moving image-based work. It ensures you develop the drawing, photography and digital-media skills you need for a career in areas such as film, animation, music video, advertising, publishing, video games and app design.
Working in small, lively, creative groups, you study a cluster of design courses including Animation and Graphic Design, with units covering materials and methods; studio practice; context and ideas; thinking through making; collaborative partnerships; and the critical and creative background to modern design.
Why choose this course?
- Work in spacious, well-equipped studios and benefit from high-spec facilities in digital media, motion graphics, bookmaking, stop motion, risograph printing and screen printing
- Gain skills and confidence with regular one-to-one contact with industry-experienced teaching staff and excellent technical support
- Explore the changing role of the designer and design in society so you can challenge current social, political and environmental thinking in your work
- Develop skills in creative problem solving, collaboration and entrepreneurship
- Take the course over four years and benefit from a year’s placement in industry, building your experience and making contacts for the future
- If you need to step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year which gives you guaranteed entry to the undergraduate course
We support you every step of the way
We offer a Merit Scholarship, worth £2,400* over 3 academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 112 UCAS tariff points or more for UK and EU applicants.
We also offer a range of financial support for those of you applying from outside of the UK and EU.
Illustration with Professional Practice Year - BA (Hons)
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
Illustration with Foundation Year - BA (Hons)
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Unit Information - What will I learn?
Units
- Communication Design: Exploring Materials And Methods (ART058-1) Compulsory
- Context And Ideas (ART057-1) Compulsory
- Introducing Studio Practice (ART063-1) Compulsory
- Thinking Through Making (ART064-1) Compulsory
- Animation And Illustration: Developing Materials And Methods (ART057-2) Compulsory
- Collaborative Enterprise (ART052-2) Compulsory
- Context And Meaning (ART053-2) Compulsory
- Developing Professional Practice (ART051-2) Compulsory
- Creative Futures (ART029-3) Compulsory
- Critical And Creative Contexts (ART030-3) Compulsory
- Final Major Project: Illustration (ILL002-3) Compulsory
How will I be assessed?
A range of appropriate assessments will enable you to grow in confidence and demonstrate your acquisition of knowledge and skills. The formative and summative assessment methods used across the course include: -In the first year, the focus is to inculcate creative thinking skills to allow the student to engage with study skills in general, preparing students for assessments in units. Research is introduced as an important element in studio practice and all studio units have an assessed research portfolio, or viva. This relationship between research and practice allows student to develop critical thinking, reflection and higher education learning practice including referencing, note taking, essay and report writing - including virtual learning environments. - Assessments based on individual and group presentations. - Portfolio reviews are a key means of assessing but they are also important for collating work for a professional portfolio. This installs in students the right attitudes towards professional work whereby you can use your portfolio to promote yourself in professional contexts. - Essays and reports feature in developing students writing skills, helping you to express ideas in a variety of ways and styles and to develop academic writing skills that are of particular benefit in producing the final year contextual rationale for your major project. - An online blog/personal website - A midpoint Formal Formative Assessment to review all work in progress. - Key Skills relevant to Illustration and creative enterprise are embedded in the teaching and learning of the course and will be taken into account in all assessments. - The assessments will develop incrementally across the course and allow you to gain skills, confidence and knowledge, receive feedback and develop as a practitioner, thus allowing you to implement this knowledge and feedback into subsequent assessments. - At the end of the course, completion of the assessments will demonstrate your ability to analyse current design practice in relation to photographic practices - and communicate this, in both written and visual formats, as well as demonstrate a range of transferable skills relevant to your professional employability.
Why study in the School of Arts and Creative Industries?
- Professional theatre and dance studios
- Latest digital and VR technologies and performance techniques
- Taught by experienced performers and practitioners
- Industry links and Media Masterclasses
- Media arts centre equipped with industry standard facilities
- Specially equipped Art and Design building
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 80 points with 64 points from 2 A level passes at C or above
- At least 80 points with 64 from Merit Merit in two BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas or one BTEC Diploma
- At least 80 points with Merit Merit Pass in the BTEC Extended Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
UK
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 80 points with 64 points from 2 A level passes at C or above
- At least 80 points with 64 from Merit Merit in two BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas or one BTEC Diploma
- At least 80 points with Merit Merit Pass in the BTEC Extended Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
EU
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
International
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
- Portfolio review
How will this course improve my career prospects?
You will be helped with the preparation of a professional portfolio; including a CV and social media skills needed to promote yourself in a social-mediated art and design world.
After completion of your degree you might find a career in any of the following areas: illustration; graphic design; editorial and book publishing; advertising; digital and interactive design; animation; television and video; public or community arts participation; museum and exhibition work; arts education; freelance creative practice; and teaching.
Many of our students go on to further study at Masters level (Level seven), for example, Illustration, Animation, Graphic Design, Visual Communication and Motion Graphics.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Fees and Funding
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
EU
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Extra costs for this course
During your course you will need to buy some materials. We estimate that the total spend will be around £220 to £295.
Things you will need to pay for include:
- A3 Portfolio
- Drawing materials
- Photographic sundries
- Degree show sundries
- Printing
*The information above is for guidance only. Exact costs may vary.
Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
