University of East London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Crash! Bang! Pow! ...Welcome to Illustration! Yes, illustration - the art of communicating ideas, telling stories and expressing themes visually; a progressive and eclectic applied art form, with real purpose! At UEL we strive to train our illustration students to be as dynamic and multi directional as possible, becoming confident, problem solving professional’s hell bent on pushing their work over the cutting edge! If you enjoy creating images, making beautiful objects, inventing stories and working alongside friendly and like-minded people, then this is the course for you. From designing book jackets, record sleeves and editorial work through to moving image, printmaking and graphic novels, the illustration BA is a fast-paced, high-octane ride to industry professionalism! The course has a sizzling and distinct flavour unbound by the conventions of industry. We encourage our students to explore each and every type of brief and solve them using the processes and technology of yesterday, today and tomorrow, all whilst on the hunt for their own creative voice and unique visual language. A roster of highly acclaimed professional illustrators, designers, filmmakers and animators will guide you through this process using UEL's superb workshops, some of the most cutting edge in Europe! You will gain access to robot arms, 3D printers, 16mm film labs, bronze casting, UX and UI workshops, mac labs, printmaking rooms, black and white darkroom, everything one could possibly need to pioneer the way ahead. So cast of your moorings and set sail for a creative future with the illustration BA - a personal and professional voyage of discovery, visual clarity and relentless creative joy, ahoy!
Modules
Year 1: Professional Life 1 (Mental Wealth) (Core), Practice 1 (Core), Contextual Studies 1 (Core), Research into Practice 1 (Core), Experimentation and Application 1A (Core), Experimentation and Application 1B (Core) Year 2: Professional Life 2 (Mental Wealth) (Core), Design Investigation 2 (Core), Contextual Studies 2 (Core), Design Integration 2 (Core), Advanced Experimentation and Applications (Animation) (Core), Advanced Practice (Core), Industrial Sandwich Placement (Optional) Year 3: Professional Life 3 (Mental Wealth) (Core), Integrated Technology (Core), Independent Major Project Part A (Core), Design Investigation 3 (Core), Research into Practice 3 – Graphic Design & Illustration (Optional), Research into Practice 3 – Extended Research Project (Optional) For more information about individual modules, please visit our course pages via the link below.
Assessment method
Each module has a duration of 12 weeks (one term) and always concludes with an assessment point. We provide feedback throughout these 12-week periods with a specific 'Tracking Week' dedicated to this process midway through each term. For Practical modules your submission will consist of a Learning Journal (the presentation of your development and experience) and Portfolio (the presentation of your practical output). For Theoretical modules you may be asked to produce a piece of academic writing of a given length and a live presentation. Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
How to apply
31Jan
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:
- 4J23
- Institution code:
- E28
- Campus name:
- Docklands Campus
- Campus code:
- A
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 points
A level - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D*
For detailed information on entry requirements for our courses, please see the individual course pages. We consider a range of UK and worldwide qualifications at the appropriate level and also take relevant work experience into account when considering an application. Many courses have a Foundation Year option for those students whose qualifications do not meet the BA or BSc entry requirements. Applicants should have, or be working towards, grade C in GCSE English and Mathematics (or equivalent Level 2 qualification such as Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Mathematics or Key Skills Level 2 in Application of Number and Communication) Entry requirements are intended only as a guide for applicants. They are not a guarantee of an offer, nor of the conditions that may apply. When making a decision on your academic suitability, we will make an assessment of you as an individual and will use information other than qualifications; which may include predicted grades, performance at Level 2, relevant work experience, previous study at degree level, personal statement, references and any portfolio, written test or interview, to make our decision. If you have any questions, please contact a member of our Applicant Relations Team from Monday to Friday (9am–5pm) on +44 (0) 20 8223 3333 or https://uel.ac.uk/about/contact-us
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Applicants are required to attend an interview for discussion of their portfolio of work.
Portfolio
Your portfolio should contain between three and five projects that you have undertaken in the areas of drawing, print, graphic art or illustration. It should be between ten and fifteen sheets in length and should not exceed A1 in size. The portfolio should show evidence of observational drawing, the development of an idea through to a completed illustration, and techniques and processes that you have worked with. We are particularly interested in seeing your sketchbooks / journals to see how you develop your ideas. At interview you should be prepared to discuss your work, ideas and ambitions. You should also be able to discuss graphic artists, illustrators or animators who influence you
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £14580 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £14580 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of East London
Docklands Campus
4-6 University Way
Newham
E16 2RD
Course contact details
Visit our course pageApplicant Relations Team
0208 223 3333