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University of Northampton

Northampton , England ,United Kingdom

Illustration BA (Hons)

The illustration course prepares you for your career as a freelance illustrator or on to postgraduate study. Some of our students have gone on to do a Masters in art therapy, visual communication at the RCA or onto teaching. You will primarily learn through practical studio sessions that will include; workshops, lectures, tutorials, crits and seminars that equip students with idea generating methodologies, technical skills, knowledge and understanding of illustration and design. You will have access to your studio, excellent digital media, printmaking and photography facilities.

The course begins by providing you with a foundation on which to build your knowledge, understanding and design skills with an emphasis on developing your visual language and drawing in particular. Across the three years you will be given a range of staff-set, live, International and National competition briefs that allow you to experience a range of illustration challenges and as you progress through the course you will be given more and more autonomy with which to choose the brief and shape your portfolio. An important aspect for a contemporary illustrator is to continually develop their own practice and this is reflected in the course structure, students have opportunities to write their own self-directed projects and make choices within set projects. Illustration can be used to communicate about any subject so collaboration and working with other disciplines within the university is something we often do.

Campus Information

Waterside Campus

In the summer of 2018 the University of Northampton moved to the brand-new Waterside Campus. This seven-year project saw a neglected brownfield site transformed into a successful and impressive new campus that facilitated a radical re-engineering of the University in terms of both teaching methodology and governance structures. aterside is a waterfront site of 24 hectares on the edge of the town centre. Its successful completion has turned a derelict site into a leading facility in the higher education sector. The project brief emphasised integration, of the University into the town and local community, and of departments, facilities and teams within the University itself. New pedestrian and road bridges and cycle routes link the site to the town, and public facilities and commercial outlets are part of a Waterside experience which continues beyond the University to local historic buildings and parks.

Intakes

  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 21

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Throughout your time on the course there will be opportunities to exhibit publicly and promote your work through exhibitions, pop-up shops and events, ensuring you graduate with a professional portfolio of work.

Past students have gone on to:
Art therapy, Graphic design, Teacher, Freelance illustrator, Author illustrator, Animator and Concept artist.

Other job roles include:
Producer, Surface pattern designer, Artist in residence, Storyboard artist, Illustration agent, Gallery assistant/manager and Childrens book illustrator.

PSW Opportunity

2 Years PSW is applicable after the course.(Bachelors & Masters only)

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be BCC at A-Level or DMM at BTEC. In addition, you are expected to have studied Art, Design, or a related subject in an A-Level or BTEC level 3 Diploma, or equivalent qualification. A Foundation Diploma in Art and Design will also be accepted.

Applicants are interviewed and are requested to provide a portfolio of their own work in Art and Design. International students may submit their portfolios electronically.

Students with a relevant HND or Foundation Degree with a suitable profile of achievement may be admitted onto year two or three.

Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements

Admission to this foundation program is normally DEE at A-Level or MPP at BTEC. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the program you wish to study.

BANGLADESH

We accept the following qualifications:

  • Higher Secondary Certificate / Intermediate,
  • Year 1 of Bachelor’s degree in Bangladesh from an institution listed on UKNARIC,
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma,
  • International Baccalaureate Certificate with good results,
  • Successful completion of a Foundation program from a UK awarding body,
  • A Levels

INDIA

We accept the following qualifications:

  • Standard 12,
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma,
  • International Baccalaureate Certificate with good results,
  • Successful completion of a Foundation program from a UK awarding body,
  • A Levels

NEPAL

We accept the following qualifications:

  • Higher Secondary Education Board Examination,
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma,
  • International Baccalaureate Certificate with good results,
  • Successful completion of a Foundation program from a UK awarding body,
  • A Levels

PAKISTAN

We accept the following qualifications:

  • High School Certificate,
  • 2-Year Bachelor’s degree in Pakistan from an institution listed on UKNARIC,
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma,
  • International Baccalaureate Certificate with good results,
  • Successful completion of a Foundation program from a UK awarding body,
  • A Levels

SRI LANKA

We accept the following qualifications:

  • A-Levels (Sri Lanka or the UK)
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma,
  • Successful completion of a Foundation program from a UK awarding body

Please include the following documents with your completed application form:

  • Details of your English Language competence, for example, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests or equivalent.
  • Certified copies of your school certificates and any other relevant qualifications. A certified copy is a photocopy that has an original official stamp of your school, college, or university on it. The stamp should not be a photocopy.
  • At least one reference (signed and on headed paper).
  • A personal statement to explain why you are interested in studying your chosen course.