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Design (Illustration) at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS

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2025 - 2026
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Course summary

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information. Course summary

  • Be part of an interdisciplinary design programme which promotes social and cultural innovation.
  • Develop your specialist skills and knowledge in a collaborative studio environment.
  • Innovate with materials, technology and conceptual thinking.
  • Extend existing material practices in response to the needs of our rapidly changing world.
Placing emphasis on personal research, this course gives you the chance to develop your own interests and ideas in a challenging and supportive environment. Academic staff are design specialists, researchers and practitioners who will support you to expand your practice and develop an independent, autonomous approach. How you learn All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. This course is part of the Sheffield Institute of Arts — our creative community within Sheffield Hallam. The initial modules are taught to all postgraduate design students. You'll focus on gaining a critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods and making practices. In subsequent modules, you will follow your own personal practice, supported by key specialist staff. You are encouraged to consider social and cultural contexts when positioning your creative output. The aim is to develop accessible and marketable products, services, interventions and other forms or propositions. You learn through
  • immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment
  • practice-based research
  • project work
  • individual and group tutorials
  • lectures
  • seminars
  • constructive critical debates
Live projects We embed an understanding of, and dialogue with, the creative industries and the world of professional practice beyond the postgraduate studio. Live projects are embedded into specific modules, and you're encouraged to seek industrial sponsors or collaborators for individual projects. The long-established link with our Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC) supports a continuing tradition of graduates from the Masters courses working as research assistants and/or continuing their studies to PhD. Field trips There are opportunities to participate in study trips and visits to design conferences and debates. Networking opportunities You benefit from studying within a cross-disciplinary, vibrant, international, collaborative and supportive postgraduate environment. You can work alongside our Design Futures consultancy, and with researchers from the ADRC. We also have contacts with leading design agencies and organisations, museums and practitioners, and encourage you to work collaboratively with them. Your Illustration tutors have connections and experience in areas as diverse as narrative book design, motion and interaction, printmaking and digital publishing. Future careers This course prepares you for a career as a
  • independent design practitioner
  • designer
  • design manager
  • maker or manufacturer
  • company-employed designer
  • postgraduate student at PhD level
The aim of this course is for you to achieve your personal employment ambitions — whether as a design professional in the creative industries, or in related areas such as research, retail, marketing, and education. Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for international design companies and consultancies as well as gaining PhD scholarships.

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances. Compulsory modules Creative Design And Positionality Ma Project (Illustration) Methods For Research And Practice

Assessment method

Coursework

Entry requirements

Normally you need • a 2.2 degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject or significant relevant experience • appropriate study plans, including an indication of possible project topics and clear, appropriate and realistic learning aims • a high level of creative ability, as evidenced by a portfolio of work • ability to discuss design issues critically and confidently For information on applying, the interview process and your portfolio, download our MA Design application support. If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level. If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.

English language requirements

Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.

Please click the following link to find out more about English language requirements for this course

https://www.shu.ac.uk/Courses/Art-and-design/MA-Design-Illustration/Full-time/

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
EU £17155 Year 1
International £17155 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

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200. If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found at https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/terms-and-conditions-and-student-regulations under student fees regulations. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200. Please refer to our website for up-to-date information on costs and fees: https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate/fees

Sponsorship information

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.

Design (Illustration) at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS