Bachelor of Arts - Illustration (with Professional practice year)

This long-established and renowned BA (Hons) Illustration course at UCA Farnham has a strong reputation for visual narrative and documentary, underpinned by an understanding that the best illustration is based on exciting, original ideas.

Students will investigate these concepts through drawing, text, sequential design, book production, moving image, printmaking, three-dimensional craft and creative writing.

Alongside learning these essential craft skills, students will also develop a personal style, learn self-promotion skills and business knowledge that will enable them to network confidently and find a career in illustration as soon as they graduate.

Based in spacious studios equipped with a diverse range of analogue and digital resources, students will also have access to extensive facilities on campus for printmaking, book production, animation, ceramics, digital printing, 3D design, textiles, photography and video, reflecting the evolving nature of contemporary illustration.

On the BA (Hons) Illustration degree students will be taught through studio-based projects and workshops, supported by regular tutorials and group reviews. There’s also a lively programme of visiting speakers, practical skills-based workshops, pop-up exhibitions and external visits.

The course reflects trends in the creative industries for illustrators to be collaborative and flexible, initiating new opportunities for shared and individual work.

This Illustration course benefits from a wide range of well-established industry links which give students the opportunity to get involved with external competitions, shows and live projects, as well as producing promotional work.

To add a deeper range of insight, this course attracts a variety of guest speakers such as Tony Morrison, Graham Rawle, Robert Sae-Heng, Olivier Kugler, The Association of Illustrators, Owen Gildersleeve and Isabel Greenberg. 

The course benefits from a wide range of industry links with the likes of the Association of Illustrators, Ambit Magazine, The V&A, The Pound Shop, The Folio Society, Philosophers Magazine, BABE Artists Book Fair and Far Far Away Books.

Graduates from the course include well-known illustrators Robert Sae-Heng, Faye Moorehouse, Russell Mills, Geoff Grandfield and Paul Blow. Recently students have either won or been shortlisted for the V&A Awards and the Macmillan Children’s Book Prize.