BA (Hons) in Illustration and Animation
London, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 9,250 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* UK student full-time; GBP 2,310 per 30 credit module UK student part-time; GBP 17,500 per year overseas students full-time
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Why study this course?
Our Illustration and Animation BA degree is industry-focused. It will help you develop your creativity and hone the skills you'll need to practise as an illustrator and animator. With an emphasis on digital platforms, as well as more traditional forms of illustration, the course embraces ongoing developments in the way illustration is practised, no longer confined to the page, but inhabiting a dynamic, three-dimensional digital world.
Our design studies courses are second in London for overall student satisfaction according to the National Student Survey 2022.
Built on a foundation of narrative, drawing and image-making, the fundamental skills of illustration and animation are taught through a variety of mediums. You’ll benefit from studio-based learning, and industry partnerships and be encouraged to publish your work throughout your studies.
You’ll study in our unique studio system in East London and make use of an unrivalled range of creative facilities to make your work — including photographic studios, printmaking, ceramics and woodworking studios, and technology including 3D printing, Risograph printing and laser-cutting.
Whether you're creating a zine, a narrative for a start-up or a short film for digital publishing, this course is about telling stories and connecting with a variety of audiences.
A defining feature of the course is its focus on cross-disciplinary projects, allowing you to use a huge range of different mediums.
You'll typically work on several client-led briefs throughout your studies. You'll be encouraged to move between conventional illustration, animation and modern graphic technologies, with an emphasis on communicative and expressive drawing, screen-printing, printmaking, bookbinding, letterpress, drawn and stop motion animation, projection mapping, as well as digital and 3D illustration, using the latest industry-standard software.
The course prides itself on producing versatile makers in both artistic and commercial work. A typical destination for graduates may be in the field of illustration, animation, advertising, film and television, publishing, immersive theatre, visual effects or art installation.
You’ll learn through our dedicated studios, curated by leading practitioners such as Nous Vous, Rachel Gannon, Emily Evans, Studio Cecilie and Gilles. We can provide excellent links to the industry and anticipate new developments in the field while also maintaining a respect for tradition. A high-profile lecture series – the Hothouse Talks – offers you the chance to engage with visionaries in the field of illustration and visual communication.
Curriculum
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
- Critical and Contextual Studies 1 (Visual Communication) (core, 30 credits)
- Design Principles (core, 30 credits)
- Graphic Authorship (core, 30 credits)
- Visual Research and Communication (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
- Critical and Contextual Studies 2 (Visual Communication) (core, 30 credits)
- Exploring Design Practice (core, 30 credits)
- Narrative (core, 30 credits)
- Work Ready 1 (core, 30 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
- Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Dissertation (Visual Communication) (core, 30 credits)
- Final Project Realisation: Illustration and Animation (core, 30 credits)
- Project Design and Development (core, 30 credits)
- Work Ready 2 (core, 30 credits)
Admissions
Career Opportunities
Where this course can take you
Upon successful completion of the degree, you’ll be equipped with the skills and attributes required to succeed in the complex and diverse world of illustration in the design and visual communication industries. Possible career destinations include publishing, editorial, graphic design, advertising, web design, authorship and self-publication, concept design, film and theatre and freelance/commission-based illustration.