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Graphic Design and Illustration at Liverpool John Moores University - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

LJMU's MA in Graphic Design and Illustration advances your artistic development and helps you become a critically engaged practitioner.

  • Develop your work in state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities
  • Benefit from close links with industry and local creative agencies and professionals
  • Visit key graphic design industry events
  • Build a graphic design and illustration portfolio through collaborative projects with local festivals and creative ventures
  • The 2022 Liverpool School of Art and Design MA Online Degree Show
  • View and engage with work produced by masters students from the Liverpool School of Art & Design
  • Take advantage of the generous Michael Pugh Thomas and Julia Carter Preston Legacy £1000 scholarships offered to postgraduate applicants
This course invites you to benefit from the tutelage of our industry networked academic team, dedicated to creating opportunities for you and the development of your artistic crossover projects. The MA focuses on the cultural shifts at the centre of a rapidly moving Graphic Design and Illustration industry. It has been specially designed to place craft and production activities firmly at the heart of its research and your development experience. You will examine and explore the role of independent visual practice within the context of an ever-increasing interdisciplinary profession. You will be expected to develop personal practice that challenges traditional perspectives on both Graphic Design and Illustration disciplines while, at the same time, engaging with industry partners that have established profiles in commercial practice. A particular emphasis will be placed on challenging and exploring media as a method of developing your professional practice and realising your career ambitions. Programmes from the School of Art and Design are fully collaborative aiming for cross-disciplinary practice across our suite of postgraduate subject areas: Architecture, Exhibition Studies, Art and Design, Fashion Innovation and Realisation, Graphic Design and Illustration, Fine Art and Urban Design. As a student you will creatively practice and network with a wide range of fellow students and a broad set of ideas and concepts. Melissa Goodrich is studying MA Graphic Design and Illustration. Talking about the course, Melissa said: "The degree has helped me establish my practice and narrow down my skillset. I want to work in TV and Film as a graphic designer, as it's such a huge passion of mine. The facilities available to students have aided my practice, like being able to use the laser cutter to create my own vintage style stamps. The module 'collaborative practice' seemed to be the most daunting, sharing your ideas with someone else can be quite scary. But I found it the most rewarding experience."

Assessment method

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme. Assessed work has been designed to ensure you fulfil your potential at this important stage of your development. There is a 75:25 split between practical and written work. Assessments methods include: presentations, proposals, practical projects, essays, artefacts, supporting documents and the dissertation. Research and textual material is assessed via blogs, written proposals and the dissertation.

Entry requirements

Undergraduate degree: -a 2:1 degree in Graphic Design or Illustration -In exceptional circumstances applications by mature graphic designers, illustrators and artists without sufficient qualifications will be considered. Additional requirements: -Interview required: to attend an interview International requirements: -IELTS: IELTS English language requirement: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component) Extra Requirements: -RPL: RPL is accepted on this programme -a reference -applicants are required to submit a sample PDF portfolio (A) or website link (B) at the point of application - see guidance below A) Digital Portfolio The work need to be presented in the same way a physical portfolio would be; ordered and considered including the following; + undergraduate projects + evidence of problem solving skills + visual literacy (this may be shown in the final outcome and resolve of a project) + a variety of projects (crossing disciplines, art / sculpture, illustration, digital design, book design etc) + research work + sketchbooks (showing development of you projects and your thinking) Format: A single PDF file. B) Website Portfolio If you are presenting your work as a website, then please make sure you have considered the following. You will need to include samples of the following: + undergraduate projects + evidence of problem solving skills + visual literacy (this may be shown in the final outcome and resolve of a project) + a variety of projects (crossing disciplines, art / sculpture, illustration, digital design, book design etc) + research work Please make sure you include captions to give a brief description of your project (no more than 40 words) Please make sure that the link to your site is not your admin login. We need the link to your published site, otherwise we won't have access rights. Please do not send sites that require Flash to upload the page. Suitable sites builders are: Cargo Collective, Muse, Wix, Wordpress, Squarespace.

English language requirements

-IELTS English language requirement: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £8965 Year 1
Northern Ireland £8965 Year 1
Scotland £8965 Year 1
Wales £8965 Year 1
International £17750 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.
Graphic Design and Illustration at Liverpool John Moores University - UCAS