English
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
French
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Thai
This course has places available for UK and EU applicants only. Read our Guide to applying for a course starting this October and complete our self-apply form to make an application to UAL. For a full list of UAL courses open for 2020/21 entry, visit the Courses with places available page.
We are no longer accepting applications from international students for 2020/21 entry to this course. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we are unable to say at this point if places will become available before the autumn intake. Please check this page regularly as places may become available later in the cycle and if they do, we will reopen applications.
If you're thinking about applying, or you've applied for an undergraduate course starting in 2020/21, see guidance for prospective students during the Coronavirus outbreak.
BA (Hons) Fashion Imaging & Illustration recognises the changing role of visual communication within the fashion industry and seeks to produce the next generation of innovative, multi-disciplinary image-makers and original thinkers
This course is based at Lime Grove in Shepherd’s Bush. Find out about the local area, including Holland Park and Notting Hill in our local area guides on the Student Life pages.
London College of Fashion is planning to move to a new single campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2023. This is part of a new development for London, prioritising culture, education and innovation, known as East Bank. Some students studying this course from September 2021 may start their studies in Lime Grove and transfer to LCF’s new site in East London to complete them. Please see LCF’s move to the Olympic Park for more information about the College’s relocation.
University of the Arts London and House of Illustration present MarKings
University of the Arts London and House of Illustration present MarKings festival
#LCFClassOf2020 is a dedicated showcase of LCF graduate work across channels. The takeover will lead into the launch of the world’s largest digital platform of fashion, design, communication, art and performance graduates.
Recent LCF alumna Sadie Jordan discusses why representation in fashion imaging matters, and what inspired the illustrations in her new colouring book 'Beauty and the Braid'.
A group of LCF alumni participated in the workshops organised during Activities Week and offered advice to current students.
LCF is delighted to announce that Professor Roni Brown has been appointed UAL Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College at London College of Fashion.
Here we've selected our top 5 Fashion Illustration Instagram accounts. A combination of both student and alumni from LCF, their work is simply inspiring and showcases some of the most innovative digital illustration in the industry.
BA Fashion Imaging and Illustration student, Victoria Seager, tells us about her journey on the course so far and her hopes for life after LCF.
Take a tour of LCF's world renowned fashion library, ideal for research and study.
Take a tour of Lime Grove's media facilities from drawing studios to photographic studios to darkrooms.
Explore our social spaces, for collaborative study and breaks, across our six sites in London.
BA (Hons) Fashion Imaging and Illustration offers students an experimental space to explore contemporary practices that stem from drawing and mark-making and to challenge the notion of contemporary fashion imaging. Projects involving a multi-disciplinary approach encourage students to redefine the future role of the Fashion Illustrator and the discipline’s commercial and creative applications. Students will investigate the visual language of fashion through the development of professional skills such as drawing, graphic and media design, animation, photography, moving image and computer-generated imaging.
Students on this course develop a critical understanding of contemporary fashion; how it is communicated or promoted, its place within wider culture and its relationship with audiences and consumers.
Students are guided to consider their practice within an industry context and to explore the opportunities and pathways for their professional and creative development.
The course celebrates fashion imaging and illustration through an expansive curriculum that integrates traditional skills with new and emerging technologies at the forefront of contemporary commercial practice.
Students benefit from experimenting in areas such as photography, moving image, 3D design, digital platforms, art direction and graphic design while an emphasising their drawing practices. Through a range of live briefs, collaborative workshops and personal projects that are supported by the expertise of lecturers and practitioners from the fashion industry and beyond.
BA (Hons) Fashion Imaging & Illustration invites students to redefine the notion of fashion illustration, developing innovative visual content and solutions for a contemporary market that experiences fashion and community across multiple channels, both physically and online. By challenging the fashion industry’s conventions and responding to wider culture’s social, political and environmental issues, students will able to produce an innovative body of work, as well as being better prepared for work in the fashion industry.
Students will be given the opportunity to undertake a short work experience placement during their second year of study. This provides increased industry awareness as well as crucial experience and valuable contacts within the industry. The course has many links to the industry including DASH magazine, Apple, SHOWstudio and the many practitioners who teach on the course within a teaching capacity. The course has also worked with the House of Illustration and run live-streamed events with the Paris School of Art, some examples of the collaborative opportunities available.
BA (Hons) Fashion Imaging and Illustration runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.
Introduction to Fashion Illustration
Cross Media Narratives
Fashion Cultures and Histories
Better Lives
Fashion Illustration and Spatial Interaction
The first year of the course introduces students to a range of studio practices in fashion imaging and illustration. Students will be introduced to a variety of mediums and media in order to give them contemporary skills in image making with an emphasis on the skills needed to locate, navigate and communicate information and ideas effectively and appropriately. Students will take part in lectures and studio-based activities that will inform project research and development and students will also have the opportunity to work in groups and on collaborative projects on the course as well as across the media programme.
The first year of the course includes introductory sessions in video and digital animation techniques, digital illustration, printmaking, cameraless darkroom processes, as well as augmented reality and virtual reality. The course remains underpinned by traditional drawing and illustration techniques and practices and students will learn how these integrate with digital outcomes.
The Intro to Fashion Illustration Unit is comprised of a series lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops to help the student develop learning skills at HE and the requirements of effective studentship at undergraduate level, in order to help build on skills in research, reflective analysis and the essential aspects of the creative process.
The Cross Media Unit & The Spatial Unit are designed to get students to explore and challenge fashion imaging and illustration through an investigation of narrative and the environment. Students will be introduced to content production on digital platforms in the context of fashion specialisms of image making.
Year one takes students through all aspect of research into practice, recording and documenting of ideas as well as testing and experimentation of materials, processes and techniques in fashion image making.
The Interactive Brief
Cultural and Historical Studies
Creative Directions
Situating Your Practice; Fashioned Spaces or Media Placement
In the second year of the course, students are encouraged to integrate, experiment and explore fashion imaging and illustration techniques learned in year one, in an investigation of individual and professional practice-based approaches to fashion media production. The units require students to produce fashion media content for fashion film, fashion marketing campaigns while integrating analogue and digital processes. The teaching and learning will support and develop student’s individual visual language and approach to fashion imaging using a range of live and simulated briefs.
Professional practice and work placements form a key part of the second year. Students will also continue to build on and develop skills in working collaboratively across the media programme, learning to install fashion imaging and illustration in innovative ways based on client need for a range of diverse platforms. Students will begin to identify how their practice is situated within the fashion media industry and how to produce content in the context of fashion communication.
The second year is also about the student’s ability to broaden their understanding of fashion imaging and illustration through a series of project briefs supported by lecture, workshops and technical masterclasses.
A variety of themed projects, external lecturers will enable students to consider the role of the contemporary fashion illustrator and image maker. The second year will also help the student to situate their personal professional practice and the student will also be encouraged to apply for industry placements in the Media Placement.
Collaborative Experimental Practice
Cultural and Historical Studies Dissertation
Personal and Professional Project
The third year if the course is a combination of individual professional development as well as developing skills in the production of a body of work. The focus of the teaching and learning in the third year and how to link research into practice to produce work within an academic and industry-based context.
The focus is on collaboration and experimentation. The student will engage in practical investigations to produce This units offer the student a variety of opportunities to explore fashion imaging, illustration and media production engaging in collaborations to facilitate innovation, open up the scope for creative thinking through practical testing reflective analysis and problem solving.
Supported by tutorial, lectures and seminars, students will develop, plan and position their professional practice, by applying previous teaching and learning in the discipline.
The following teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes:
The following assessment methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes:
Cameron Haynes is the acting course leader for BA (hons) Fashion Imaging & Illustration. He has a background in advertising, TV and commercial film production and publishing. He gained a BA in Graphic Media Design & Illustration in 2002 and obtained his MA in Photography with a distinction from LCC in 2010. He is currently a PhD student with a special interest in visual culture and representations of black identity, rethinking and updating theories of blackness and race. As a visual artist his practice is concerned with the multidisciplinary approaches of graphic illustration and media design, specializing in photography, film and video with an emphasis on experimental image making and fine art practice. He has exhibited work in both the UK and Germany. Mentored by the fashion photographer Brian Duffy, Cameron’s professional profile includes work produced for a broad range of brands including, Elle, Patrick Cox, Paul Smith and Oswald Boateng. He has also produced work for a variety of corporate clients such as, Pepsi, Disney and British Airways.
Itai Doron is the programme director for Fashion Media courses. He is an established photographer with particular interests in fashion, portraiture, social documentary, body politics, identity and queer theory. Working as a lens-based artist since graduation from Goldsmiths College of Art, Itai has twice received the UAL research project award to develop a body of work on immigration, combining social documentary with notions of fashion. Itai has a proven track record of public dissemination of visual and written work through exhibitions, publications, and academic research and was invited to deliver talks and lectures about his research at various international academic conferences. He has exhibited at the White Cube gallery in London, and participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions in the UK, Europe, Japan, Israel and the United States. He has authored a selection of photography books, including End Of Real in 2005, Yassin in 2009, Chokras’ Mahal (Boys' Palace) in 2011, and Fifteen Minutes With You in 2012.
Alex Mein is an illustrator and lecturer living and working in London. After training in BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Ravensbourne he freelanced as a textile and fashion designer before progressing into menswear buying. From 2012 to 2019 he lectured in BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and Styling at Middlesex University whilst consulting as an art director. Alex's personal practice concerns observation, identity and portraiture. Through drawing he documents a range of identities and shared experiences, whether through the casting of individuals or drawing people observed in public spaces. His clients include Gap, Liberty London, Mulberry, Nike, DJ Honey Dijon and Harvey Nichols. His work has been featured in publications such as Solar, Nylon, Slashstroke and Fashion Drawing 2 - Illustration Techniques for Designers.
James Davison studied Graphic Design (BA Hons) at Central St Martins and graduated in 2006. His work references queer/pop culture, comic books and fashion. After working as an illustrator in New York he now lives and works in London and is known for documenting fashion shows and backstage. Clients include MAC Cosmetics, Nike, Dover Street Market, i-D and GQ. Alongside lecturing at UAL, James is also a co-founder of ‘SketchSesh’ drawing sessions that merge fashion illustration, set design and life drawing. SketchSesh has worked with designers such as Nasir Mazhar, Louise Grey and held sessions amongst others at The National Gallery and The National Theatre. James’s first book is scheduled to be released in 2019, published by Montez Press.
Ellie Tsatsou is an interdisciplinary artist who works mainly with digital and analogue photography, moving image, editing, writing and publishing. She holds a BA in Communication & Media Studies from the American College of Greece, as well as an MA in Fashion & Film from LCF, University of the Arts London, both with distinction, and her research interests focus on the interwoven relation of intuition and the creative process, as well as on notions of home and gathering wonder. Her photographic work and publications have been showcased internationally and are part of private collections in both Europe and the States. Ellie has been mentored by photographers Nick Knight (London, 2010/11) and Ryan McGinley (New York, 2012/13), and currently runs her own business, Ellie Tsatsou Studio (est. 2013), in London alongside lecturing at UAL.
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.
The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:
One or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications.
Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio.
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:
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
IELTS level 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English Language Requirements
The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:
Please note, this course has places available for UK and EU applicants only for 2020/21 entry – complete our self-apply form to make an application. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.
This section includes all the information you need on how to apply and how your application is considered, and what happens next.
You should apply though UCAS – Universities and Colleges Admissions Service – and you will need the following information:
University code: U65
UCAS Code: W225
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.
If you are an EU offer holder, it is important to consider that, from 2021-22, you may be charged International fees, which are higher. Read our Coronavirus guidance for prospective students for details.
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units/modules on a degree course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Fashion, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively. The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry Requirements and Selection Criteria sections.
If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a mini portfolio which should include a number of images of your work. For this course your portfolio should show evidence of: drawing / presentation skills; examples of creative visual imagery; research skills; experimentation; and engagement with technology for image production. The mini portfolio is assessed by Academic Reviewers who will select applicants to attend an interview. Please note that not all applicants are invited to attend interview.
If you are selected for interview, these will take place at the Rich Mix Arts venue in Shoreditch from February 17th to 21st 2020. Please see here for a map of the location; nearest stations are Liverpool Street (Central, Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City and TFL Rail), Shoreditch High Street (Overground) and Bethnal Green (Central). Local buses also serve the venue – please see the Richmix website for further details.
Should you be unable to attend your interview, you must notify us as soon as you can. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to reschedule so you should make every effort to attend the scheduled interview.
If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS through UCAS Track. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.
We are no longer accepting applications from international students for 2020/21 entry to this course.
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we are unable to say at this point if places will become available before the autumn intake. Please check this page regularly as places may become available later in the cycle and if they do, we will reopen applications.
Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.
Your application form is reviewed when you apply to the University. If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements you will be invited to submit a portfolio of no more than 45 images. Your portfolio is assessed by our academic team who will select applicants to attend an interview. Please note that not all applicants are invited to attend interview. When you have attended your interview we will advise you of your outcome.
There are three ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course at London College of Fashion:
You should apply though UCAS – Universities and Colleges Admissions Service – and you will need the following information:
University code: U65
UCAS Code: W225
You can only apply to the same course once per year whether you are applying via UCAS, UAL Representative or using the UAL online application system. Any duplicate application will be withdrawn.
For further advice on how to apply please visit the UAL International Application page.
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.
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units/modules on a degree course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Fashion, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively. The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
Whether you are applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or direct application you will need to complete an Immigration History Check to identify whether you are eligible to study at UAL. Do be aware, if you do not complete the Immigration History Check we will not be able to proceed with your application.
All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry Requirements and Selection Criteria sections.
Depending on the quality of your application, you may be asked to submit a number of images of your work. For this course your portfolio should show evidence of: drawing / presentation skills; examples of creative visual imagery; research skills; experimentation; and engagement with technology for image production.
If the academic team wish to consider your application further, you will be invited to attend an interview either in person or via telephone where an international academic will look at your portfolio and ask questions to establish your suitability for the course. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the following at interview: a strong interest in, and awareness of, contemporary fashion and fashion illustration; a cultural awareness of society; visual awareness evidenced through portfolio work; an interest in, and knowledge of, technical processes for image production; a motivation for working in fashion illustration; and a motivation to succeed on the course.
If you are successful at the interview stage you will be offered a place. Applicants are not guaranteed to be asked to upload work, nor are they guaranteed an interview.
Please note that if you are unable to attend, the College may not be able to re-schedule.
If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS through UCAS Track. If you have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL portal. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.
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.
Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via UCAS Track or the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.
Please note: the information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course. Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year. In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.
We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please use the enquiry form above.
£9,250
This applies for the 2020/21 academic year.
Tuition fees for undergraduate degree courses have been set at £9,250 per year for full-time study, subject to changes in the law. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.
£22,920
This applies for the 2020/21 academic year.
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
Charges may be made for special clothing or equipment which students may need in order to participate in certain activities which form part of the course but which they retain. However, where such clothing or equipment is necessary for the student’s health or safety a charge may only be made for clothing and equipment which the student retains if the student also has the option of borrowing the clothing or equipment free of charge.
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.
All of our undergraduate courses are concerned with the development of your personal and professional skills. On your course you will evolve from learning basic skills in your discipline through to a position where you are an independent creative thinker capable of making an effective contribution to the relevant sector of the fashion industry. Personal and Professional Development (PPD) skills are embedded in all units on every course. Speaker programmes with contributions from alumni, members of industry and others are a part of many courses, as are work placement opportunities in industry.
Graduates who wish to continue their education at postgraduate level are encouraged to progress to suitable courses within the College, the University or elsewhere.
Many graduates prefer to seek employment as soon as they have completed their undergraduate studies. BA Fashion Imaging and Illustration students also go on to do curation, painting, art direction and freelance fashion illustration. Recent graduates from this course are working at ASOS, Browns Focus, Love magazine, and Vauxhall Fashion Scout. This year graduates include musician Kojey Radical who is MOBO nominated, and explores themes that he looked at through his illustration within a sonic context. Other alumni Bex Cassie, who is at SHOWstudio and Olivia Bilson will graduate from RCA this year.
Freelance illustrator and animator
Fashion Illustrator
Founder, ALINA ZAMANOVA
Explore the role of creative direction within fashion communication on this undergraduate course, which prepares you to become a skilled and imaginative creative professional.
College: London College of Fashion Level: Undergraduate
This Hair and Make-up for Fashion undergraduate degree equips students with the specialist skills needed to become sought after make-up artists and hair stylists.
College: London College of Fashion Level: Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development provides creative, strategic and practical skills to prepare you for a career as a fashion product designer or developer.
College: London College of Fashion Level: Undergraduate