BA (Hons) Illustration
Nottingham - City Campus
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BA (Hons) Illustration program at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is designed to nurture students' creative talents and develop their skills as professional illustrators. This dynamic program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of illustration principles, techniques, and applications across various media and platforms. With a focus on creativity, critical thinking, and industry relevance, the BA (Hons) Illustration program prepares students for diverse and exciting careers in the field of illustration.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the BA (Hons) Illustration program encompasses a wide range of topics, including drawing, painting, digital illustration, sequential art, editorial illustration, and visual storytelling. Students explore different styles, methods, and mediums of illustration, learning traditional techniques alongside digital tools and software. The program emphasizes both technical skills and creative expression, with a focus on developing a unique artistic voice and portfolio that reflects individual interests and strengths.
Research Focus: NTU's BA (Hons) Illustration program encourages students to engage in research and critical inquiry to inform their creative practice. Through research-oriented modules, seminars, and projects, students explore historical and contemporary trends in illustration, study the work of influential illustrators, and analyze social, cultural, and political contexts that shape visual communication. This research focus enhances students' conceptual thinking, storytelling abilities, and visual problem-solving skills, enabling them to create meaningful and impactful illustrations.
Industry Engagement: The BA (Hons) Illustration program at NTU fosters strong connections with the illustration industry through guest lectures, workshops, industry placements, and collaborative projects. Students have the opportunity to work on live briefs from clients, participate in exhibitions and competitions, and showcase their work to industry professionals. These industry engagement opportunities provide valuable insights into the demands and expectations of the illustration market, helping students build networks, gain exposure, and develop professional portfolios.
Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Illustration program at NTU embraces a global perspective, recognizing the diversity of cultural influences and international opportunities in the field of illustration. Students study illustration traditions from around the world, explore cross-cultural storytelling techniques, and consider the global impact of illustration in areas such as advertising, publishing, animation, and digital media. Modules on cultural studies, visual communication, and professional practice prepare students to navigate the global illustration landscape and engage with audiences worldwide.
Location
Nottingham - City Campus
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17500
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: International students applying for undergraduate programs at NTU are typically required to have completed their secondary education or its equivalent. NTU expects international students to have achieved a minimum of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 81, with at least 19 in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
- PTE: A minimum overall score of 62 with no individual score below 51.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
Students must provide:
- academic marksheets & transcripts
- letters of recommendation
- a personal statement - SOP
- passport
- other supporting documents as required by the university.
It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.
These scholarships provide opportunities for talented students to pursue their studies at Nottingham Trent University:
International Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship: NTU offers the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for international students. This scholarship is highly competitive and awarded based on academic excellence, with a focus on the applicant's achievements and potential contributions to NTU and their chosen field of study.
International Undergraduate Scholarship: NTU provides undergraduate scholarships for international students, which are awarded based on academic achievement and cover a percentage of tuition fees for each year of study.
Country-Specific Scholarships: NTU offers scholarships tailored to students from specific countries or regions. These scholarships aim to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and may have specific eligibility criteria, such as academic achievement or residency in a particular country.
External Scholarships:NTU encourages international students to explore external scholarship opportunities. There are various organizations, foundations, and governments that offer scholarships to support international students studying in the UK. NTU provides guidance and resources to help students identify and apply for these external scholarships.
It is important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines may vary from year to year.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Illustration program at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) possess a diverse skill set and are prepared for a variety of career paths in the field of illustration.
Illustrator: Many graduates pursue careers as professional illustrators, creating artwork for a wide range of industries and applications. Illustrators may specialize in areas such as editorial illustration, children's books, graphic novels, advertising, packaging design, surface pattern design, and concept art for animation and gaming.
Freelance Artist: Some graduates choose to work as freelance illustrators, offering their services to clients on a project-by-project basis. Freelance illustrators have the flexibility to work on a variety of assignments and collaborate with clients from around the world, allowing them to explore different styles and genres of illustration.
Book Illustrator: Graduates may work as book illustrators, collaborating with authors, publishers, and literary agents to create illustrations for books, magazines, and other publications. Book illustrators bring stories to life through visual storytelling, enhancing the reading experience for audiences of all ages.
Children's Book Illustrator: Specializing in children's book illustration, graduates create engaging and imaginative artwork for picture books, chapter books, middle-grade novels, and young adult fiction. Children's book illustrators develop characters, settings, and narrative scenes that resonate with young readers and capture their imagination.
Storyboard Artist: Graduates with strong storytelling skills may pursue careers as storyboard artists, creating visual sequences and layouts for film, television, animation, and advertising projects. Storyboard artists translate scripts and concepts into visual narratives, helping directors and producers visualize scenes before they are filmed or animated.
Concept Artist: Some graduates work as concept artists in the entertainment industry, developing visual concepts, character designs, and environments for films, television shows, video games, and virtual reality experiences. Concept artists play a crucial role in the pre-production phase, helping to establish the visual style and aesthetic of projects.
Art Director: Graduates with experience and leadership skills may progress into roles as art directors, overseeing the creative direction and visual design of projects in advertising agencies, design studios, publishing houses, or digital media companies. Art directors manage teams of artists and designers, ensuring that artwork meets client objectives and quality standards.
Surface Pattern Designer: Specializing in surface pattern design, graduates create repeat patterns and motifs for textiles, wallpaper, stationery, homeware, and other products. Surface pattern designers use illustration techniques to develop unique and marketable designs that appeal to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.
Gallery Artist/Exhibiting Illustrator: Some graduates exhibit their artwork in galleries, art fairs, and exhibitions, selling original artwork and limited edition prints to collectors and art enthusiasts. Gallery artists may also collaborate with curators, galleries, and art organizations to showcase their work in public exhibitions and events.
Educator/Workshop Leader: Graduates with a passion for teaching and mentoring may pursue careers as educators, teaching illustration courses at schools, colleges, universities, or community art centers. Illustration educators share their knowledge and expertise with aspiring artists, leading workshops, seminars, and studio classes.
