Illustration at UCA

UCA's Illustration degree gives you the chance to challenge yourself, push boundaries and find your path as an adaptable practitioner in the field of contemporary illustration.

Based at our Farnham campus, this course explores the illustrated narrative. Contemporary illustration has grown to embrace a broad spectrum of opportunities for image-makers and storytellers alike. With the growth of online digital cultures - and the evolution of digital image creation for traditional image-making – there are new and exciting opportunities for the entrepreneurial illustrator to make their mark.

You’ll explore every facet of illustration within practice and context, working with like-minded creatives in a dynamic and intellectual environment. We’ll give you the tools and support to pursue your self-directed study, and produce a body of work that is true to you and makes a meaningful impact in the field of illustration.

Visiting lecturers and practitioners will help to inform and nurture your professional development, encouraging you to question and debate as you grow your practice.

Visit our course instagram to discover more about what's happening on the course and see some of our students' work in progress.

Course entry options

Select from the following options to find out more about the different study options available for this course:

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Illustration
MA

A one-year course of advanced study for furthering your research skills and specialising within your discipline.

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Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2025
Duration
1 year full-time
Entry requirements

Honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in the subject/related discipline
and/or
Relevant work experience

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Illustration
MA with Integrated Pre-Masters

This course includes a year-long preparatory course of study to ready you for your Masters course, developing your specialist knowledge, research skills and confidence in working alone.

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Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2025
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry requirements

A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject

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Illustration

Apply now Submit an enquiry
Campus
Start date(s)
Duration
Entry requirements
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Illustration

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Campus
Start date(s)
Duration
Entry requirements
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Illustration

Apply now Submit an enquiry
Campus
Start date(s)
Duration
Entry requirements
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Illustration

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Campus
Start date(s)
Duration
Entry requirements

Accreditations, partners and industry connections

The World Design Organization (WDO) logo

The World Design Organization (WDO)

The World Design Organization (WDO) is a global network of almost 200 members. It is an international non-governmental organisation that promotes the profession of design and its ability to generate better products, systems, services, and experiences; better business and industry; and ultimately a better environment and society.

Watch our course video


Brooke - MA Illustration

Brooke talks about studying at MA Illustration
Kirsten Nastasi, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Yanjun Pan, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Lu Liu, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Jiangfan Fan, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Chenxi Guo, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Xiaotian Qin, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Ishani Tol, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Brooke Foster, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Ping Ching Wu, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Ruwen Zhang, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Hera Chuang, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham Bohui Liao, MA Illustration, UCA Farnham

Two minute stories


Discover the stories of our Illustration students
Margaux Carpentier
Colouring campus
Michael Tilley
Turning graphic talent into blackboard business
Lucy Munt
Tackling the complexities of grief
Xuan Liu
Creating a comic that sheds light on Tourette’s
Bri Chartrand
Giving Zizzi a mural makeover
What you'll study

What you'll
study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Masters course.

Studio 1
This unit is your investigation into expanded forms of practice. By challenging traditional and established means of communication, through visual and contextual investigation, you will develop experimental and varied methodologies and processes.

Research & Professional Contexts 1
You will be introduced to the principles of research and the methodological approaches applied to the study, analysis and production of practice. As such, this unit establishes the basis that all practice, intellectual thought and knowledge acquisition is informed through distinct stages of research management.

Studio 2
You will be encouraged to critically reflect on the development of your research and will challenge you to investigate multiple areas of study. A series of practice-based projects will enable you to consider and apply a range of methods, approaches and ideas which will inform and assist you in the development of your practice.

Research & Professional Contexts 2
In this unit, you will identify and make contact with an external partner, with whom you will agree a project plan and agree outcomes. By working with an external partner, you will have the opportunity to place your work in a wider contemporary context and engage new audiences.

Major Project
The culmination of your studies, this unit gives you the opportunity to demonstrate evidence of advanced conceptual, theoretical, and technical. You will apply your research skills and in-depth subject knowledge to produce a substantial major project that is innovative and sophisticated in its conception and execution.

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Fees & funding

Fees & financial support

Tuition fees

  • 2025/26: £10,500

Tuition fees

Tuition fees

  • 2025/26 (MA): £18,000
  • 2025/26 (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - Sept & Jan): £17,500
  • 2025/26 (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - May): £8,750

Please note: the fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. For more detailed information about our course fees please see our fees and finance pages. 

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of scholarships and fee discounts available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

Current UCA students and alumni may be eligible for a tuition fee discount.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources. Discover what support you might qualify for please see our financial support information.

Additional course costs

In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. Please see the Additional Course Costs section of the Course Information Document for details of the costs you may incur.

Explore our Gradshow

Each year, we’re privileged to be able to share our graduates’ incredible work with the world. And now’s your chance to take a look.

Visit the online showcase

Facilities

We have dedicated illustration studios with natural lighting, digital media suites with Macs and PCs programmed with the latest industry-standard design software for high quality print production. There is an open access printmaking studio with relief and block printing, plate or stone lithography, intaglio, letterpress, photopolymer plate printing and screen-printing. Also a modern library with a wealth of books, journals, special collections and online resources.

View 360 virtual tour
UCA student working in the studio

Illustration studios, UCA Farnham

Print studio, UCA Farnham

Digital Media Suite, UCA Farnham

Digital Media suites, UCA Farnham

Library, UCA Farnham

Career opportunities

Illustration at UCA has a long tradition of original narrative and storytelling through images, reflecting staff expertise and practice in these areas.

Students on MA Illustration also benefit from well-established industry connections.

Graduates from our MA Illustration course go on to establish careers in a diverse range of exciting areas, such as:

  • Freelance illustration
  • Self-publishing
  • Artist practice
  • Printmaking
  • Curation
  • Editing
  • Animation
  • Project management
  • Education
  • Design
  • Digital imaging
  • Web authoring
  • Multi-media production.

You may want to undertake further study or research to specialise even further.

Jayesh Sivan

"I’ve really enjoyed the course and the course content is broad, which is great because it’s helping to expand my skill set. The lecturers and technicians are all extremely helpful and encourage you to experiment with different techniques and approaches and this is made possible by the great facilities and technology available."

Jayesh Sivan

Entry & portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. You can either submit a digital portfolio or request an in-person portfolio review with the course team. Further information will be provided once you have applied. View portfolio advice

Select your country to find the equivalent requirements

Our
Staff

Mike Nicholson

Mike Nicholson

Senior Lecturer MA Illustration
Yang Dong

Dr Yang Dong

Senior Lecturer Illustration
Jessica Kelly

Dr Jessica Kelly

Research Degrees Leader, Reader in Architectural & Design History

James Walker

Lecturer Visual Theory
Jamie Dobson

Professor Jamie Dobson

Professor of Design Education, Lecturer MA Illustration
Artun Ozguner

Dr Emin Artun Ozguner

Senior Lecturer, Contextual Studies Lead, Graphic Design

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