Course summary
Hone your illustration skills and learn how to succeed as a professional artist while studying in the creative city of Cambridge.
- Study on a course that scored 100% for the Teaching on my Course, 100% for Academic Support, 98% for Learning Resources and 98% for Student Voice in the National Student Survey 2024.
- Come to a university that's recognised as one of the best places to study Illustration in the UK.
- Join a course whose students are regularly recognised in national and international prizes and awards, such as the Association of Illustrators (AOI) World Illustration and Spotlight Awards and UK Graduate To Watch.
- Prepare for a variety of freelance and commercial roles – we've seen graduate success in high-end homeware and accessories design (Catherine Rowe Designs), children’s books (Bethan Woollvin) and freelance illustration (Max Machen, who was invited by Threads to design a new icon to mark its first birthday).
- Show your talent to the public and industry reps at our final-year Graduate Showcase, and local and national exhibitions like New Designers in London.
- Go on gallery visits, local drawing trips, and our annual overseas visit to cities such as Porto, Seville and Lisbon.
- Take inspiration from alumni such as Harry Potter illustrator Thomas Taylor, whose artwork for the cover of the first ever Harry Potter book recently sold at auction for £1.5 million.
Modules
Year 1 core modules: Digital and Moving Illustration; Drawing for Illustration; Illustration Practice; Print, Process and Page. Year 2 core modules: Sequence and Narrative; The Illustrated World; Ruskin module. Year 3 Core modules: Portfolio Development; Launchpad. Year 3 optional modules: Practice in Context; Working in the Creative Industries. Modules are subject to change and availability.
Assessment method
This is a hands-on, practical course and our assessment is based on the coursework you complete for each of your modules. This includes completed project work as well as accompanying material such as sketchbooks. We’re looking to see how you research, analyse and develop your work – in other words, how you think as an illustrator. You’ll also attend lectures and produce written material including essays. We’ll look at these when we’re reviewing your progress.
How to apply
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:
- W225
- Institution code:
- A60
- Campus name:
- Cambridge Campus
- Campus code:
- C
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 96 points
A level
Access to HE Diploma
GCSE/National 4/National 5
2025 entry requirements have been published using the current cycle information however, due to a current review these are subject to change. Please check back here for updates.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Portfolio
Student Outcomes
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
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | 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
Provider information
Anglia Ruskin University
East Road
Cambridge
CB1 1PT