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Illustration with Foundation Year at Sheffield Hallam 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

Sheffield Hallam University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

4Dec
Sheffield Hallam University - undergraduate and degree apprenticeship open evening
Undergraduate
15Feb
Sheffield Hallam University - undergraduate applicant open day
Undergraduate
22Mar
Sheffield Hallam University - undergraduate applicant open day
Undergraduate

Course summary

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

  • Develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes you need to become a professional illustrator
  • Experiment with the latest digital tools and technologies in our purpose-designed workshops and illustration studios
  • Transform your illustrative practice through live, client-led creative projects for diverse audiences
  • Build a unique portfolio and showreel to prepare for a career in the wider creative industries and further study
If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year – which has been designed to encourage exploration and experimentation. The BA (Hons) Illustration course is a progressive, innovative, technologically enhanced course that prepares students for professional practice. Employability is integrated into the curriculum through applied creative projects. These real-world challenges and work experiences are designed to build confidence, creativity and resilience. Creative UK membership We are members of Creative UK, which means our art and design students are also members until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, Creative UK represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities. 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. Through our teaching, we help you unlock your potential to contribute as a creative thinker and doer – applying your knowledge to art practice, culture, society, and life systems. We take a holistic and person-centred approach to assessment to support your creative growth while respecting the diverse ways people learn. Key themes Year one lays the foundational principles of illustration practice. Drawing is at the heart of developing your conceptual, theoretical, and practical skills. You’ll learn the core methods used in illustration practice – research, process, and presentation. As the course progresses, we’ll also explore the future role of illustrators and learn what it will mean to thrive as an illustrator of the future. You’ll gain confidence with both analogue and digital tools, learning how to adopt new and emerging technologies as you define your own, unique visual language. You’ll also get to test your concepts on live industry projects with commissioners, agents, and future employers – not only developing professional skills, but also helping you build your profile and network. In your final year, you’ll curate a portfolio of work that articulates your practice and moves you further towards your creative path. Course support
  • Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones and online resources to help with planning and structuring your assignments
  • Access to office and studio space, expert workshops, freelancing opportunities and a vast business network to tap into
  • Industry-specific employability activities and careers support for up to five years after you graduate
Applied learning Your course has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to be successful. Live projects You’ll have the opportunity to work on live projects, giving you the chance to apply your skills in a professional setting and gain valuable feedback, exposure and networking opportunities. Recently, our students have created illustrations on beer can labels for Triple Point Brewing, produced posters for Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, and designed activist billboards with FlyingLeaps.

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. You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information. Year 1 Compulsory modules

  • Foundation Projects — Developing Creative Practice
  • Foundation Skills & Methods
Year 2 Compulsory modules
  • New Adventures In Illustration: Methods, Tools, Technologies
  • Pencils & Pixels: Drawing Foundations For Illustration
Year 3 Compulsory modules
  • Future Now: Collaboration In Action
  • Illustration In Action: Character, Narrative & Sequence
  • In Here, Out There: Illustration Agency
Year 4 Optional modules
  • Placement Year
Final year Compulsory modules
  • Future Paths: Illustration Portfolio
- Future Proof: Illustration Practice

Assessment method

Coursework

How to apply

29Jan

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

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

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

https://www.shu.ac.uk/Courses/Art-and-design/BA-Honours-Illustration-with-Foundation-Year/Full-time/

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio

If your application is successful you will receive an email inviting you to submit your portfolio by email and submission details by an online google form. The portfolio helps us understand whether we are able to offer you a place on the course you’ve applied for. Your UCAS statement and portfolio provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your creative experience, potential ability and enthusiasm for the course you’ve applied for.

Other

Please note that this information is subject to change without notice by Sheffield Hallam University.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent.

If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider either the International Foundation Programme: Art, Design and Media or Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

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/BA-Honours-Illustration-with-Foundation-Year/Full-time/

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

Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £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. We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible. 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.

Illustration with Foundation Year at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS