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Illustration Top-up at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS

Course options

Course summary

Completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject? Top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree in Illustration. Are you a creative individual wanting to progress into the world of illustration? This BA (Hons) Illustration course helps you gain the thinking and understanding you’ll need to tackle industry briefs. From narrative to traditional and digital technologies, we’ll give you the skills, all you need is an imaginative and artistic flair. Why study BA (Hons) Illustration Top-up at BNU? A degree for you Whether you end up in a studio, working as a freelance visual-artist or following one of the other many routes illustration offers, you can be sure that your designs and creations can help convey a message to consumers and artistically inspire the next generation of image makers. A top-up degree is the equivalent of the final year of an undergraduate degree, and offers a chance to deepen your knowledge, skills and understanding of your subject, while also getting an internationally-recognised qualification. If you have completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject, you can choose to top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree. Inspiring facilities The Illustration course is located within the School of Art, Design and Performance, giving you access to a community of creative learners and diverse resources to help you achieve your creative outcomes. These include:

  • silkscreen equipment
  • plotter cutters
  • letterpress equipment
  • photography studios
  • litho equipment
  • laser cutting
  • 3D printing technology
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
To aid your development you will learn practical skills and experience both digital and traditional processes and technologies. Photography and film making are integral to most things we do. Expert teaching With a history of delivery expert craft, art and design education for more than 130 years, Buckinghamshire New University is the perfect place to start your creative career. Led by our dedicated and supportive course team, who boast years of experience within the industry, you’ll have the freedom to explore all areas of Illustration, whether that’s digital such as vector art or traditional methods such as printmaking. We also have specialist technicians on-site to share their knowledge and support you as you bring your illustrations to life. Location With London and Oxford only a short journey away, you can take the opportunity to visit some of the world’s best exhibitions, galleries, and museums for inspiration. What will I study? On this illustration course you are encouraged to solve visual problems with your own unique aesthetic solutions, experiment with image and type and explore appropriate digital technologies. Through practical hands-on, project-based learning you will explore the fundamental core aspects of the subject such as narrative structure, hierarchy, composition and layout, typography, information design, image creation and conceptual thinking skills. Students are encouraged to take risks in their work and learn to challenge established languages and processes through questioning and individual experimentation. Central to the ethos of the Illustration course is the development of two aims; the first is self-authorship, where your point of view and vision play the pivotal role in identifying and communicating images and messages that are central to your own personal interests, opinions, and core values, and secondly a multi-disciplinary confidence and ability to accomplish communication tasks across a range of media and client bases. These aims reflect the current contemporary vocabulary of a modern illustrator.

Modules

Year One Core Modules Final Major Project Dissertation Professional Practice Creative and Professional Development Personal Projects & Commissions

Assessment method

During your time with us on the BA (Hons) Illustration degree, you'll study modules that are centred around your own career aspirations and, through guest lectures from industry specialists, seminars and live industry projects, You’ll work alongside a diverse community of illustrators and graphic designers, each working on their own projects, just as a ‘real-world’ design studio would function. You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you make friends for life, you’ll also make important connections that will last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in any design group. To achieve the full BA (Hons) in Illustration you’ll need to complete the modules listed, as well as a major project and a dissertation. The major project and dissertation will allow you to investigate a topic important to you within advertising. You will cover the whole research process, undertaking empirical investigation and analysis. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, who will offer support and advice.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
W548
Institution code:
B94
Campus name:
High Wycombe Campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Visit bnu.ac.uk/international to find out more about applying to BNU as an international student!

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Additional entry requirements

Interview

Portfolio


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent.

If English is not your first language or if you have studied in a non-majority English-speaking country, then you will typically be required to demonstrate your English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing) by way of a test such as IELTS.

BNU English Language Requirements

https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
EU £15150 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 £15150 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

Buckinghamshire New University tuition fees cover the cost of instruction, assessment, and core academic materials. However, additional costs may be incurred for course-related items or requirements, such as, but not limited to: - Text books and supplementary reading materials - Specialised equipment or resources required for specific courses - Field trips, placements, or external activities - Printing, photocopying, and binding - Accommodation, travel, and living expenses Additional costs will vary by course. It is your responsibility as a student to budget for any additional expenses associated with your studies. For further details on what is included in your tuition fees, please check bnu.ac.uk/fees-and-funding

Sponsorship information

There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.

Illustration Top-up at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS