BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media student wins Penguin’s Student Design Award
Illustration and Visual Media student Sian McKeever has won 1st place at the Penguin Random House Student Design Award 2019 for the Children’s Cover Award.
BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
College
LCC
Start date
October 2020
Course length
3 years
UCAS code
WPF3
Apply to start in October 2020
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.
Coronavirus updates
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) Illustration and Visual Media is a studio-based course that aims to produce creative and innovative illustrators who are prepared to take risks with their work.
Open Days
The next Open Day for this course will be announced soon.
Student work
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BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media LCC Summer Shows 2014 - Image by Lewis Bush -
Stereo by Els Maple -
Work by Louise Handyside -
Studio presentation, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media -
Work by Ruta Zukaite -
Work by Hannah Presdee -
Work by Julianna Futter -
Work by Karolin Schnoor -
Moon, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media -
Moon, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
VAROOM Preview, Sid Seokhan Jung
Sid Seokhan Jung, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
WELL DONE Mural, Lawrence Slater and Freddie Goodchild
WELL DONE Mural for the Graphic Design Illustration BA Hons Degree Show at LCC. Painted by Lawrence Slater and Freddie Goodchild.
Duke - The Bank Job Advert, Joe Leach
Student Voices: Brogan Bertie
Graduate Brogan talks about their work, a tribute to Sylvia Revera from her 1973 speech "Ya'll better quiet down".
Student Voices: Jemimah Kabuye
Jemimah talks about her work which explores her personal journey with mental health dealing with anxiety.
Student Voices: Ellie Bond
Here Ellie talks about her project, starting out in Letterpress and then creating a virtual reality project.
Industry projects
Course stories
Spotlight On: BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media – LCC Degree Shows 2019
Explore projects from graduating students from London College of Communication's BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media course, exhibiting as part of LCC Degree Shows 2019.
Watch: Meet animator Ermina Takenova – LCC Graduate Residency 2018
Meet Ermina Takenova. Ermina is from Almaty, Kazakhstan and she graduated from LCC's BA (Hons) Illustration Visual Media in 2014. She now lives and works in South London.
Facilities
Printing and Finishing
Discover our printing techniques, from Lithographic Printing to Print Finishing and Bookbinding.
Creative Technology Lab
A multi-purpose space that supports students with: Creative Coding, Physical Computing, Projection Mapping, Games, and Virtual Reality.
The Digital Space
The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.
Course overview
BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media seeks to challenge existing preconceptions and definitions of illustration, and encourages students to view themselves as thinkers as well as image makers.
What can you expect?
The course offers you the intellectual and creative space to examine existing definitions of illustration whilst exploring future directions. This enables you to work in a broad range of media, processes and techniques.
Image based storytelling is the basis for what we do and we do not purely follow the figurative drawing base of traditional illustration courses, instead we encourage you to work in a broad range of media, processes and techniques.
The course is not defined by a medium or material and not limited to a style but fuelled by a desire to communicate by whatever means are appropriate. This can be presented as sculpture, typography, photography, film, animation, digital, print based or a combination of all of these.
The course is led by a team of practising artists, designers, researchers and academics who will support you in becoming well informed and critically engaged.
Work Experience and opportunities
From the film industry to political parties or publishing, online and offline, contemporary illustrators have become key players in global communications, with an inspiring range of mediums and outlets for their opinions, processes and ideas.
The course offers you the intellectual and creative space to examine existing definitions of illustration, whilst exploring future directions.
Course Structure
The academic year for this course is divided into 2 blocks.
The 1st block is of 15 weeks’ duration from late September to mid-February. In accordance with the University timetable, there will be a four week holiday in December.
The 2nd block is also of 15 weeks’ duration from mid-February to the end of June with a four week holiday for Easter.
Mode of Study
BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 33 weeks.
Course units
In common with all courses at the University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.
Year 1
Introduction to Illustration and Visual Media (20 credits)
Visual Practices: Exploration and Play (40 credits)
Illustration Practices: Methods and Processes (40 credits)
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 1 (20 credits)
At the beginning of Year 1, you'll be introduced to a range of mediums and media in order to give you a firm base of skills which will help you realise your ideas for set projects. You’ll also take part in educational visits to museums and exhibitions, which will inform your project work and you'll be involved in group projects and cross year projects to increase your skills in negotiation, collaboration and time management. These are vital key skills needed for pursuing a career in the creative industries.
Year 1 will include introductory sessions to drawing, animation, computing and printmaking, which will involve a series of tutorials, seminars and workshops to help you build on the thinking, analysis and production essential for the creative process.
The Visual Practices: Exploration and Play unit will introduce you to research as practice through playful exploration. You will be encouraged to consider the possibilities of using image generation as a method to investigate a range of different subjects.
The Illustration Practices: Methods and Processes unit will show you how process led activities enhance and activate ideas generation through investigation and experimentation. You will also investigate the possibilities of generating impactful works that communicate to a wider audience.
Year 2
Professional Practices (20 credits)
Exploring Studio Practices (40 credits)
Situated Studio Practices (40 credits)
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 2 (20 credits)
In Year 2 you are encouraged to experiment and explore an individual and personal approach to your illustration and design work. You will be supported in developing your own visual language and philosophy. Students are encouraged to choose from a range of live projects, take part in organised study trips and exhibit both internally and externally.
External industry links form a key part of this year, in relation to exhibiting and responding to live commissions, publishing your work professionally; taking part in cross year workshops and learning to curate; negotiating professional problems, visual languages, networking, self and group promotions and considering your place in professional practice.
In the Exploring Studio Practices unit, you will increasingly broaden your understanding of illustration and visual communication through workshops that will enhance existing skills and develop new ones including drawing, combining text and image, developing narrative, sculptural and spatial practices, curation of visual content, and prototyping, interactive and experiential image works.
The Situated Studio Practices unit will involve the examination of professional structures and opportunities with external partners. You will be encouraged to develop diverse processes and outcomes based on a reflective and critical understanding of image making.
A wide range of set projects and external projects will help you to consider the role of the contemporary illustrator; of professional life and its relation to your own practice. Students can also apply to take an industry placement year out called the Diploma in Professional Studies, as part of their course.
Diploma in Professional Studies
The Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) is an optional year-long learning opportunity, allowing you to undertake a variety of internships and professional experiences for a whole academic year in Year 3, as part of a four-year degree. It is a managed year of professional experience largely undertaken in the design profession in a variety of national and international locations.
Successful candidates are selected on a competitive basis from academic performance and studentship, successful completion of the DPS bridging studies and by portfolio and proposal.
Year 3
Route A
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Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (40 credits)
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Minor Studio Project (20 credits)
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Major Project Studio (60 credits)
Route B
- Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (20 credits)
- Minor Studio Project (40 credits)
- Integrated Practice (20 credits)
- Major Project Studio (60 credits)
Year 3 is the culmination of your studies, focusing on your individual development and the combination of your previous teaching and learning into the production of a body of work that can be assessed academically.
When you reach the final year, it may be that you have developed an interest in your dissertation topic and want to place greater emphasis on it, Route A allows you to do. If on the other hand, you wish to place greater emphasis on studio work by doing a smaller dissertation, you can do so in Route B.
Assessment methods
- Notebooks
- Sketchbooks
- Blogs
- Evaluative reports
- Essays
Staff
Angela Michanitzi
Course Leader, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
Eva Verhoeven
Programme Director, Interaction Design and Visual Communication
Karl Foster
Senior Lecturer and Year Two Leader, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
Tony Braithwaite
Specialist Tutor in screen printing and surface design on the BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
Leigh Clarke
Senior Lecturer, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
Ellen Hanceri
Senior Lecturer, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
Juliet Sugg
Lecturer, MA Illustration and Visual Media
VJ Choolun
Associate Lecturer
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
Home/EU/International
The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
80 UCAS tariff points, which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:
- A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences).
- Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4).
- Merit, Merit, Pass at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, IT & Computing).
- Merit at UAL Extended Diploma.
- Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Digital and Creative Media, Film and Production, Computing).
- OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).
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 (International/EU)
IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English language requirements page.
All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.
Selection criteria
The portfolio, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Visual language: quality of structure, use of line, shape - 2D or 3D, form, scale, space, light, colour, texture and time.
- Ideas generation: quality of ideas and thought process, expression of design thinking.
- Research and its application (including images from sketch books): evidence of investigation and use of appropriate resources.
- Materials, media exploration and experimentation; experimentation and testing of materials to achieve outcomes.
- Contextual awareness and its influence on the portfolio; understanding and application of subject knowledge and context.
Making your application
Personal statement advice
This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in illustration and visual media, and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.
You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.
You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.
State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.
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.
Apply for this course though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS):
- University code: U65
- Course code: WPF3
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
Application deadline
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
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.
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.
External student transfer policy
If you are currently studying at another institution and 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 Communication, 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 about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.
Referral to alternative UAL courses
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
Erasmus
For further information on Erasmus and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges section on the UAL website.
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.
International applicants can apply through either of the following routes:
- Through one of our official representatives in your country
- Through UCAS.
- Through a direct application.
If you are applying through UCAS you will need the following information:
- University code: U65
- Course code: WPF3
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
Further information on applying via UCAS is provided on the University Applying through UCAS page.
For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate Application page, and for further advice for international applicants, please visit the UAL International Application page.
Application deadline
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
Immigration history check
International applicants, whether applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or by direct application, you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check, we will not be able to proceed with your application.
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.
External student transfer policy
If you are currently studying at another institution and 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 Communication, 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 about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.
Referral to alternative UAL courses
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
Study abroad applicants
International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.
Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.
After you apply
Communicating with you
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a full digital portfolio.
We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview. To find out more, view our Undergraduate Application Process page.
International applicants may be invited to interview in person at LCC, or via Skype if overseas or unable to attend. Details of this interview will be sent via the UAL Portal.
Portfolio advice
Your portfolio of work is the most important part of your application, and you must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.
You are required to present a portfolio with a maximum of 20 images that you consider would help support your application.
What happens next?
We will advise you of your application outcome through UCAS Track. If you are an International applicant and have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL Portal.
We invite all offer holders to come to London College of Communication to attend one of our Offer Holder events. Offer holders will have the chance to meet the team, find out more about the course, and see our diverse and vibrant student community in action.
Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.
Deferring your place
If you are offered a place for 2020/21 but wish to defer to 2021/22, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter.
International applicants will have to pay a pre-payment in order to defer. In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.
Fees & Funding
Home / EU Fee
£9,250 (2020/21).
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.
International Fee
£22,920 (2020/21).
Additional costs
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.
Accommodation
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
Scholarships and Awards
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.
Careers and alumni
After graduation, our students enter into a wide and varied range of professional practices working in art, illustration or graphic design, for international and UK based companies including Alexander McQueen, Airside, Pentagram, John Brown Publishing, Vault 49 (New York) and Prologue (LA). Students also set up their own companies, operating as freelance illustrators or exhibiting artists and designers, or go on to study at MA level.
Our graduates have gone onto great success within the industry, highlighting the diverse, transferable skills and breadth of expertise they take with them into an increasingly diverse and interdisciplinary market.
Alumni include:
- Ben Reece, Apple and Research Studios
- Anna Francescutti, Alexander McQueen
- Jonathan Kenyon, Vault 49 NY
- Lauren Necati, Thames and Hudson
- Clare Willis, John Brown publishing
- Niall Thompson / Nils Pormann, Dandelion and Burdock
- Cecilia Carlstedt, Freelance Illustrator
- Anne Harild, Illustrator / Artist
- Jacqueline Ford, Rob Ryan studios
- Abigail Aked, The Spectator
