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Postgraduate

MA Illustration

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Illustration of a girl with a lollipop and a fish bowl with fish swimming outside the bowl and spacemen swimming in the bowl by Wei Guo - MA Illustration.
Illustration of a girl with a lollipop and a fish bowl with fish swimming outside the bowl and spacemen swimming in the bowl by Wei Guo - MA Illustration. - Credit: Wei Guo.
College
Camberwell College of Arts Start date
October 2021 Course length
15 months (full time)

MA Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts is a broad, inclusive and experimental course that enables individual practitioners to develop sustainable creative models that respond and contribute to the expanding field of contemporary illustration.

Student work

  • Camberwell-MA-Illustration-Emily-Nash-1.png
    , Emily Nash - MA Illustration
  • Camberwell-MA-Illustration-Follow-Me-comic-strip.jpeg
    , MA Illustration
  • Camberwell-MA-Illustration-Robbie-Porter-1860.jpg
    , Robbie Porter - MA Illustration
  • Camberwell-MA-Illustration-Ruoqi-Zheng-4-1860.png
    , Ruoqi Zheng - MA Illustration
  • Camberwell-MA-Illustration-Shichong-Wan.jpg
    , Shichong Wan - MA Illustration
  • Camberwell-MA-Illustration-Yu-Cao-1200.png
    , Yu Cao - MA Illustration

Course overview

MA Illustration focuses on the creation of original work, individual agency and the continued development of a personally defined visual language. The course encourages visual thinking, research skills and storytelling ability. Alongside these you will develop your entrepreneurial qualities, communication and professional skills. Through ambitious projects you will build on the skills you already have to define your future ambitions.

What to expect  

  • To consider the development of your practice in a multiplicity of conventional and non-conventional contexts
  • To test and apply critical and practical skills
  • Workshops, discussion groups and one-to-one tutorials
  • A lecture programme, practitioner visits and seminars 
  • Engagement with London's creative environment
  • You will be encouraged to take part in exhibitions, competitions and commissions
  • To have access to Camberwell's shared workshops that include printmaking, photography, film, moving image, digital, plastic, ceramics, wood and metalwork. View the Camberwell facilities 

Mode of study  

MA Illustration is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 12 months. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Please note this course will be moving to a 15 month mode of study from 2021/22.

Course units

A short description of each unit and what you can expect.

Unit 1 - Locate, identify and position

This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university. You will identify, map and develop your personal interests as an illustrator.

  • To expand your visual language by exploring a range of materials and media
  • To be encouraged to take an innovative and experimental approach
  • A programme of critical and theoretical study
  • An introduction to research and practice methods
  • Inductions to learning resources and workshops at Camberwell
  • To submit work in progress and a 1500 word document
  • To produce an audio-visual presentation or written personal project proposal
  • To keep an online reflective journal throughout the course

Unit 2 - Intersect, converge, focus, trajectory

You will focus on your own work and consider how to build sustainable momentum in your practice.

  • Seminars, tutorials and workshops
  • Visiting speaker programme exploring contemporary practice
  • To integrate your deepening knowledge of the discipline of illustration with a personally defined method of enquiry
  • To submit work in progress and a 5000 word document
  • To produce an audio-visual presentation or written personal project proposal

Unit 3 - Realisations

The final unit of the course will focus on the production of your personal project and preparation for potential professional contexts.

  • Professional development and practice workshops, talks and seminars
  • To submit personal project outcomes
  • To put together a professional portfolio of work
  • To produce an audio-visual presentation
  • Lectures and visiting practitioner talks
  • Seminars, crits, tutorials and workshops
  • To present work in the college postgraduate show

Note: 120 Credits must be passed before the final unit is undertaken.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Group seminars, critiques and individual tutorials
  • Guided process workshops
  • Lectures and visiting practitioner talks
  • Progressive and inclusive assessment model
  • Reflection and self-evaluation
  • Student led community of enquiry meetings
  • Studio based teaching

Assessment methods

  • Contextual and evaluative writing
  • Exhibition
  • Presentations
  • Project proposal
  • Reflective journal
  • Research portfolio
  • Writing on critical practice - including blogs

Staff

How to apply

Opportunities for all

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

  • BA (Hons) degree or equivalent academic qualifications
  • Alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration
  • Personal statement
  • Portfolio of work

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work and personal statement.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • An interest and involvement in visual arts
  • Demonstrable skills in your existing practice
  • The ability and capacity for self-reflection
  • Ambition and research interest
  • Aspiration for a higher level of practice
  • Quality of work

Making your application

Personal statement

This should be about 500 words long and include:

  • Your reasons for choosing the course
  • Your current creative practice and how this will help with your future plans
  • If you do not have any formal academic qualifications please describe your relevant education and experience

Video

  • As part of your application please include a 2-3 minute video. Within your video please answer the following questions: tell us why you want to study MA Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts, tell us about something that interested and engaged you recently and talk us through a project from your portfolio
  • Within your video you must be visible, speak clearly in English and look towards the camera. Ensure you record yourself alone and the audio is clear
  • Please ensure you read PebblePad's file uploads and limits when submitting your video. If you have declared a learning difference or a disability in your application you may submit an audio or written file if this task is not accessible to you

Portfolio advice

The portfolio should show the following:

  • Approximately 10 to 30 images of your work that provide a good overview of your creative practice
  • Show a selection of your work that is relevant to your application. This can include finished work and examples of your research and development
  • For video, sound or web based work please provide links
  • Where appropriate include captions or short explanations that give context for your work. If you have worked on any group projects explain your role
  • Provide indications of the size and media used

2021/22 entry

We are still accepting applications from home students for 2021/22 to this course.

Apply

Apply

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Please add ccw.ukeu@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates about your application to UAL.

Initial application check and selection

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system. These will be reviewed by the academic team and a decision will be made on your application.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through the UAL portal.

Applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Feedback requests:

This course receives a high number of applications. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview. We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf. If you would like to request feedback please email ccw.ukeu@arts.ac.uk.

Deferring your place

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

Transfers

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Camberwell College of Arts, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible. Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English if necessary) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Application deadline

6 January 2021

We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.

When you’ll hear from us

Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. We’ll be in touch shortly after you apply with information about next steps. Find out more about what happens after you apply.

2021/22 entry

We are not accepting applications from international students for 2021/22 entry to this course. We are unable to say at this point if places will become available later in the cycle. If they do, we will reopen applications.

Apply

There are 2 ways international students can apply to a postgraduate course:

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Please add ccw.international@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates about your application to UAL.

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system. These will be reviewed by the academic team and a decision will be made on your application.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through the UAL portal.

Applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Feedback requests:

This course receives a high number of applications. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview. We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf. If you would like to request feedback please email ccw.international@arts.ac.uk.

Deferring your place

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

Transfers

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Camberwell College of Arts, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible. Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English if necessary) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Application deadline

6 January 2021

We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.

When you’ll hear from us

Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. We’ll be in touch shortly after you apply with information about next steps. Find out more about what happens after you apply.


Fees and funding

Home fee

£11,220 per course

This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK resident nationals. However, the rules are complex and you can find out more on our tuition fees pages.

From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage

International fee

£22,920 per course

This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

International fees are currently charged to students from countries outside of the UK. However, the rules are complex and more information can be found on our tuition fees pages.

From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage

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Careers and alumni

The range of creative destinations for Camberwell’s MA Illustration graduates has included book contracts, comic strip creations for Flicking Publishing as well as work with the Thames Festival. Other course alumni have also gone on to work for Rave Magazine in Bombay and Samsung Advertising in Europe.

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.

Camberwell College of Arts

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Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6302
Address
Camberwell College of Arts
45 - 65 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF