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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Illustration

Colourful ceramic cowboys on horses by Naomi Anderson-Subryan.
Naomi Anderson-Subryan.,
BA (Hons) Illustration, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
College
Camberwell College of Arts
UCAS code
W222
Start date
September 2023
Course length
3 years

BA Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts takes an innovative, experimental and critical approach to the broad practice of illustration.

Applications closed 2023/24 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course.

Visit the Courses with places available page for a full list of UAL courses that are open for application.

Course overview

You will be encouraged to develop an ambition for your own practice founded on subject knowledge and which challenges the position of the illustrator within commercial, social, political and cultural contexts.

What to expect

  • To explore the wider territory of the discipline while gaining an understanding of key illustration principles, themes and debates. 
  •  To investigate ideas and issues through online and, where appropriate, studio-based seminar discussions, presentations and written assignments.
  • To test your ideas through evaluation of your practical work and writing.
  • To define your way of working using skills and experiences developed through workshops online and, where appropriate, studio based technical inductions, tutorials and seminars.
  • To explore authorship and the reproduced image. 
  • To identify audiences for your work.
  • To examine your identity as an illustrator, whilst planning and realising practical projects. 
  • To have your ideas tested through evaluation of your practical and written work.
  • To investigate ideas and issues through online and, where appropriate, studio-based seminar discussions, presentations and writing. 
  • To have access to Camberwell's shared online and, where appropriate, studio-based workshops that include printmaking, photography, film, moving image, digital, plastic, ceramics, wood and metalwork. View the Camberwell facilities.​

Work experience and opportunities

Our students gain first-hand experience through course projects with leading organisations and businesses. These have included Adidas, Channel 4, Dorling-Kindersley, The Guardian and MTV.

Students will have the opportunity to take part in the college’s international exchange scheme to study abroad in the second year of their degree. 

Mode of study

BA Illustration is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Year 1

Unit 1 - Introduction to Illustration

This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.

Unit 2 - Exploratory practice ‘in discipline’

During this unit you will develop an understanding of the key methods and knowledge that define the subject of illustration.

  • A series of illustration project briefs.
  • To look at composition, colour, character development, tone and pace.

Online and, where appropriate, studio based:

  • Drawing as observation, analysis, description and ethnography.
  • Object and conceptual making and development.
  • Experimental practical exercises.
  • Seminars, lectures, crits and tutorials.
  • Technical and conceptual workshops.
  • Written work.
  • To keep an online personal archive.
  • To design a document using material from your online personal archive.

Unit 3 - Core Practice ‘in discipline’

Through continued experimentation and production, you will continue to develop an understanding of the foundational methods, knowledge and practice of illustration.

  • Lectures, seminars and discussions will explore the relationship between historical and contemporary critical debates within illustration.
  • Practical illustration project briefs.
  • Production of a personally defined practice-led project proposal that will form the basis for an ongoing personal project.
  • Online personal archive.
  • Workshops.

Unit 4 - Expanded practice ‘in discipline’

This unit places emphasis on experimentation and creative risk taking in your practice. It will focus on your continued development and understanding of the key principles of the subject. It will also examine illustrations material and conceptual possibilities. 

  • To look at illustration in relation to text analysis and the articulation of narrative, tone and pace in sequential image making.
  • To explore notions of authorship and the reproduced image.
  • Written work.
  • Online personal archive.
  • To design a document using material from your online personal archive.
  • Project presentation.
  • Ongoing development of your practice-led project.
  • Lectures, seminars, crits and tutorials. 
  • Inductions to the workshops.

Year 2

Unit 5 - Exploratory practice ‘as discipline’

Throughout this unit you will continue to consolidate the practical methods and principles of illustration explored through the previous stage of the course. It will focus on continuing to develop, investigate and refine the core skills in your practice. 

  • To engage with online and, where appropriate studio-based processes and conventions of distribution and reproduction. 
  • To work with a range of subject matter and content.
  • To produce written work articulating your position as an illustrator.

Online and, where appropriate, studio-based: 

  • Workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials and group discussions.
  • Practical work for set projects.  
  • Online personal archive.
  • Practice-led project presentation. 

Unit 6 - Collaborative and collective practices

This unit aims to introduce you to different ways in which collaborative working can focus and enhance your own creative strengths. This unit has 3 core purposes:  

  • To engage with fellow students with different practices and interests in a collaborative project.
  • To engage with external audiences, participants or institutions to consider new contexts for your work.
  • To develop your creative attributes to enable you to take on future challenges in a variety of contexts.

Unit 7 - Core practice ‘as discipline’

This unit encourages you to continue to develop your skills, position and identity as an illustrator. The unit will help you identify an audience and consider how to make your work visible in a real-world context.

  • Methods of practical evaluation, participation, social, cultural and political engagement will be developed throughout the unit.
  • To consider the impact and ethics of your work through your online personal archive.
  • Practice-led project presentation.
  • Lectures and visiting practitioner talks. 
  • Workshops, seminars, crits, tutorials. 
  • Practical work for set projects. 

Unit 8 - Expanded practice and points of departure culture ‘as discipline’

Through a series of practical illustration projects, you will apply methods of evaluation, participation, social, cultural and political engagement. You will take part in a series of workshops, seminars, lectures and discussions that will help you to identify a broad context for your practice. This unit will help you work out your individual programme of study for your third year.

  • Written work articulating and defining your position as an illustrator.
  • Practical work for set projects. 
  • Online personal archive. 
  • Workshops, seminars, crits, presentations and tutorials. 
  • Lectures and visiting practitioner talks. 

Year 3

Unit 9 - Exploratory core practice ‘of discipline’

This unit is a coming together of your practical, professional and critical position as an illustrator. It will be highly self-directed. It will look at professional development and potential fields you might work within after graduation.

  • Presentation describing the progress of your individual programme of study.
  • Written work.
  • Practical work for set projects. 
  • Online personal archive. 

Online and, where appropriate, studio-based:

  • Workshops, seminars, group discussions, crits and tutorials.
  • Lectures and visiting practitioner talks. 

Unit 10 - Expanded core practice ‘of discipline’

In this unit you will work on a self-directed final project that integrates your conceptual and practical activity.

  • To produce a resolved body of work and portfolio.  
  • Online personal archive. 
  • A designed and printed document using material from your online personal archive. 
  • Online and, where appropriate, studio based workshops, seminars, group discussions, crits and tutorials 
  • Lectures and visiting practitioner talks.
  • To present work in the college degree show. 

Optional Diploma between year 2 and 3

Between year 2 and 3 you can opt to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the UAL Diploma in Creative Computing. Whilst these Diplomas are an optional aspect of the course, they are designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course. 

Learning and teaching methods

  • ​​​Group projects
  • Individual and group tutorials 
  • Live projects
  • Peer assessment
  • Personal archive
  • Professional development 
  • Progressive assessment model: a new and innovative approach to assessment with a focus on mutual dialogue between students and staff
  • Self-evaluation and assessment

Student work

  • camberwell-ba-Illustration-freya-faulkner-St-Brian-Cox-and-The-Matter-Prayer.jpg
    Freya Faulkner - BA Illustration
  • camberwell-ba-Illustration-chloe-greenfield-greasy-spoon-ceramics.jpg
    Chloe Greenfield - BA Illustration
  • camberwell-ba-illustration-ellie-andrews-kick-1860.jpg
    Ellie Andrews - BA Illustration
  • camberwell-ba-Illustration-freya-faulkner-cult-big-bang-statues-eric.jpg
    Freya Faulkner - BA Illustration
  • camberwell-ba-Illustration-grace-helmer-fugitive-primo-levi.jpg
    Grace Helmer - BA Illustration
  • camberwell-ba-Illustration-peter_rhodes_lucy_one.jpg
    Peter Rhodes - BA Illustration
  • camberwell-ba-Illustration-Play-o-logy-AKA-Charlene-Man-and-Katie-Johnston-giant-digestive-system.jpg
    Play-o-logy AKA Charlene Man and Katie Johnston - BA Illustration
  • camberwell-ba-Illustration-Gaurab-Thakali-1860.png
    Gaurab Thakali - BA Illustration

Film

Watch our online open day recording

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are one or a combination of the following qualifications:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • 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)

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

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 ability to explore, articulate and develop ideas
  • An ability to research information and visual material to support your ideas
  • Your portfolio to demonstrate a range of appropriate skills and technical abilities
  • An ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
  • An ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work

Apply now

Applications closed 2023/24 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

Apply

You must apply through UCAS, where you’ll need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W222

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 at 18:00 (UK time) for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

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.

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.

We aim for all on time application reviews to take place by end of March 2023.

Portfolio advice

  • A maximum of 30 pages showing evidence of research, the development of ideas and problem solving.
  • Work that shows the application of imagery within a design and illustration context.
  • Images from sketch books. These help us to see your working process and indicate developing research interests and influences.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

Video task

  • We’d like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you
  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera
  • Your video task is submitted along with your portfolio. Read our guidance for how to submit your video task and which file types we accept

As part of your video task please respond to the following direction:

  • Talk us through a project telling us what you have learnt from it, and how/if you would like to take it further.
  • Tell us about something that has inspired you lately.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS.

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:

If you would like to request feedback please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information.

Be ready to provide us with:

  • Your current course handbook
  • Year 1 / Year 2 unit transcripts

Applications closed 2023/24 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

Apply

There are 2 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course:

If you are applying via UCAS you will need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W222

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

You can only apply to the same course once a year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 at 18:00 (UK time) for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

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.

Immigration history check

You will be asked to complete an Immigration History Check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. We will not be able to proceed with your application until you have submitted your completed Immigration History Form.

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.

Following receipt of your digital portfolio, it will be reviewed by the academic team and a decision will be made on your application which may include - offer, offer alternative, recommend to alternative course, reject or invite to interview.

We aim for all on time application reviews to take place by the end of March 2023.

Portfolio advice

  • A maximum of 30 pages showing evidence of research, the development of ideas and problem solving.
  • Work that shows the application of imagery within a design and illustration context.
  • Images from sketch books. These help us to see your working process and indicate developing research interests and influences.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

Video task

  • We’d like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you.
  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Your video task is submitted along with your portfolio. Read our guidance for how to submit your video task and which file types we accept.

As part of your video task please respond to the following direction:

  • Talk us through a project telling us what you have learnt from it, and how/if you would like to take it further.
  • Tell us about something that has inspired you lately.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS.

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:

If you would like to request feedback please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information.

Be ready to provide us with:

  • Your current course handbook
  • Year 1 / Year 2 unit transcripts
  • An official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed

Study Abroad

Through the Study Abroad programme international students can apply to join an undergraduate course.

For information on how to apply visit the Study Abroad section.

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