13May
UndergraduateCourse summary
The MA Illustration – Contemporary Dialogues course at Swansea College of Art offers an exciting opportunity to explore and develop your creative skills in a rapidly evolving field. Illustration is constantly changing, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and creating new ways to communicate visually. This course will help you build on your existing knowledge and take your work in new, imaginative directions that respond to the dynamic and ever-shifting evolving market for illustrative visual material. Through the course, you will learn how to use both traditional and digital methods to enhance your work. Whether through exhibition, publication, or innovative interdisciplinary forms, you will explore different ways of presenting your ideas and developing your individual approach. You will engage with contemporary illustration, honing your specialist interests and refining your practice to fit within today’s creative landscape. The MA Illustration programme is designed to help you reflect on your work, build your professional practice, and think critically about the direction of your career. Whether you are continuing from undergraduate study or coming from industry experience, the course will help you identify and achieve your career aspirations within a creative environment that encourages growth and experimentation. You will benefit from the knowledge of experienced tutors and practitioners, as well as your peers, who come from a variety of creative backgrounds. As you progress through the course, you will deepen your understanding of visual thinking and engage in critical reflection, exploring how your work can contribute to broader conversations. Whether you want to focus on new technologies in illustration, develop your authorial voice, or explore themes like social justice, the course gives you the freedom to experiment and push your creative boundaries. The experimental course structure allows you to test out new ideas and approaches, while ensuring that your work remains rooted in a solid understanding of contemporary practices. This course will prepare you for a future in the creative industries, helping you to navigate the challenges of today’s global marketplace. In a supportive postgraduate creative environment, you will refine your work and gain the confidence to carve out your place in the ever-expanding world of illustration.
Modules
Throughout the course, you will delve into contemporary illustration practices, focusing on both traditional and digital methods. You will develop a strong foundation in visual thinking and critical reflection, experimenting with various media to shape your creative practice and identify your specialist interests. You will have opportunities to present your work through exhibition, publication, and other innovative platforms, while integrating research and theory into your projects. Compulsory Coexistent Perspectives (20 credits) The Thought Experiment (20 credits) Collaborative Dialogues (20 credits) Explorative Research & Praxis (60 credits) Confirmative Praxis (60 credits)
Assessment method
Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written practical and presented. There is a 4,000-word theoretical essay with poster presentation in Semester 1, and a 5,000-word report in Semester 3, which accompanies the practical work. There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module. Summative assessment takes place at the end of a module, which includes presentation of the work to the assessment team. A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course, which include, among others: Tutorials These tutorials are held on a regular basis. In Semester 1, full-time/Year 1, part-time, each student sees and discusses his/her work with a member of staff as part of each module. In Semesters 2 and 3, full-time/Years 2 and 3, part-time, students work more independently and sign up for tutorials within, or across, their discipline, in addition to those scheduled when their work requires support. As a team, we ensure that every student in the final semester/year of the course is seen by at least one member of the academic staff each week. Group Tutorials/Seminars These are held on a regular basis, across all stages of the course, with one member of staff. They provide an excellent opportunity for students to share and exchange ideas with their peers in a structured manner, in addition to valuable input from staff. Informal & Formal presentations Some of the modules have a presentation of ideas as part of the module outcome and are an essential way of sharing ideas across the course. Presenting work informally to peers is also part of the seminar teaching and a way of getting valuable feedback on the progress of the work. Exhibiting work At the end of the course there is an opportunity, if appropriate, to show outcomes from the course in a curated exhibition. Students are also supported to create their own exhibitions during the middle part of the course, if they wish to do so.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
International applicants
Visa and funding requirements If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. For full information read our visa application and guides. Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
Entry requirements
2:2 honours degree or UWTSD recognised equivalent. We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Please note, this master’s programme does require practical and theoretical research as well as some academic writing. We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Acceptable Evidence of English
https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/apply/international-applications/english-language-requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £7800 | Whole course |
| EU | £16800 | Whole course |
| England | £7800 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £7800 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £7800 | Whole course |
| Wales | £7800 | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £7800 | Whole course |
| International | £16800 | Whole course |
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 students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources which, in most cases, is sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs in the extension of their personal practice. Examples include purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining optional study trips, and paying for printing.
Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions, to £200 plus for overseas or longer UK study visits. These costs cover such things as transport and entry to venues and accommodation. There are normally reduced rates for our students.
Provider information
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
College Road
Carmarthen
SA31 3EP