Overview
Illustration is everywhere, it surrounds us, from the books and magazines you read to the packaging on products you buy, to the content you look at online, you will see the incredibly diverse work of professional illustrators. In fact it is so much a part of most of our lives we often don’t realise how pervasive and all encompassing it is. However once you start to look at the exciting world of illustration you realise there are many opportunities, the variety of styles, processes and applications mean you can explore and experiment and develop your own individual approach to the discipline.
Why study BA Illustration at Middlesex University?
The BA Hons Illustrationdegree is an independent, studio based programme, which looks specifically at illustration as a profession. Few disciplines have such scope to explore the impact of visual communication. As an illustrator, you have the opportunity to be satirical, witty or poignant, to question the political wisdom of the day, to show the absurdities of our everyday lives, to delight and entertain, to describe and inform. When an illustration is working, one cannot imagine the message without it, it becomes an essential part of the communication. We hope our enthusiasm for the subject will enable you to gain a deep understanding and develop a passion for Illustration and that you graduate feeling confident in your ability to become successful in your chosen career.
For our BA Illustration degree we have created a studio space that is lively, stimulating and productive. There is a strong emphasis on drawing, both communicative and expressive, and your drawing skills will be developed through classes in life and observational drawing each week throughout your three years of study. Your individual visual work will be developed through a variety of themed projects and image-making processes including print making, animation, typography, bookbinding and digital media.
Course highlights
You will be taught by experienced professional artists
We provide each student with an individual work place, something we have identified as essential to the creative happiness of our students
We are based in The Grove, an £80m state-of-the-art learning facility with art editing and digital publishing labs
Visiting illustrators, agents, publishers and designers come to our campus to show their work and discuss your portfolios - some students will get the opportunity to get work or be published before they graduate
In your second and third year, you'll be entered for competitions such as the Macmillan's Children's Book Prize
At the end of your degree, you will exhibit your work at our Degree Show, which is a great opportunity to show off your talents to creative industry employers
As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.
Course Details - Modules
Year 1:
Illustration/Graphics: Visual Communication Workshops 1 (30 credits) - Compulsory
Introduction to Illustration (60 credits) - Compulsory
Understanding Communication Arts (30 credits) - Compulsory
Year 2:
Illustration Practice (60 credits) - Compulsory
Illustration/Graphics: Visual Communication Workshops 2 (30 credits) - Compulsory
The Visual Activist (30 credits) - Compulsory
Year 3:
Illustration Major Projects and Portfolio (90 credits) - Compulsory
Critical and Contextual Research Project (30 credits) - Compulsory
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
W220
Institution code:
M80
Campus Name:
Hendon Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
We have a personalised admissions approach in which we make fair, but aspirational offers to our applicants. We feel it’s important that you continue to aim high and achieve great results. If you don’t quite make the grades you hoped to, we’ll look at more than your qualifications when making our final decision. We’ll take into consideration any barriers you may have faced in your learning, especially with potential disruption due to the coronavirus, your achievements in other areas and your personal statement. At Middlesex, we’ll always aim to be as flexible as possible. We pride ourselves on how we recognise potential in our applicants, and support them to succeed in the future.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
