BA(Hons)Illustration and Design

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 65% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59 with no individual score below 59.
• 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.

The University of Sunderland offers a range of scholarships and funding opportunities to support students in their academic pursuits. These scholarships aim to recognize and reward academic excellence, as well as provide financial assistance to students who may face financial barriers to education. 

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship: This is a prestigious scholarship awarded to high-achieving students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. It provides a tuition fee discount of up to £3,000.

International Scholarship: This scholarship is specifically designed for international students studying at the University of Sunderland. It offers a tuition fee reduction of up to £1,500 for eligible students.

Sports Scholarship: The university also offers sports scholarships to talented athletes who excel in their chosen sport. These scholarships provide support in the form of coaching, training, and financial assistance.

Subject-specific Scholarships: Some academic departments at the university may offer scholarships or bursaries specifically tailored to students studying in a particular field or discipline. These scholarships may have varying criteria and application processes.

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Illustration and Design program at the University of Sunderland possess a unique blend of artistic talent, creativity, and technical skills that open up a diverse range of career opportunities in the creative industry. With their expertise in illustration, graphic design, and visual storytelling, graduates can pursue various roles in fields such as publishing, advertising, animation, digital media, and freelance illustration.

Illustrator: Many graduates choose to pursue careers as illustrators, where they create visual interpretations of concepts, stories, and ideas for a wide range of applications. Illustrators work on projects such as book covers, editorial illustrations, children's books, advertising campaigns, and digital media. They use their artistic skills and creativity to convey messages, evoke emotions, and captivate audiences through visual storytelling.

Graphic Designer: Some graduates may opt for careers as graphic designers, where they combine their illustration skills with design principles to create visual solutions for print and digital media. Graphic designers work on projects such as branding, packaging, marketing materials, web design, and user interfaces. They collaborate with clients or design teams to develop concepts, layouts, and graphics that effectively communicate messages and engage audiences.

Concept Artist: Others may specialize in roles as concept artists, where they develop visual concepts and designs for various media such as film, television, video games, and animation. Concept artists create characters, environments, props, and storyboards that help bring creative projects to life. They collaborate with directors, producers, and art teams to visualize ideas, establish visual styles, and guide the overall visual direction of projects.

Storyboard Artist: Some graduates may pursue careers as storyboard artists, where they create sequential illustrations that depict the narrative flow of stories, scenes, or sequences for visual media such as film, animation, or commercials. Storyboard artists translate scripts or ideas into visual sequences, conveying camera angles, shot compositions, and character actions to directors, producers, and animators to guide the production process.

Freelance Illustrator/Designer: Others may choose to work as freelance illustrators or designers, offering their services to clients on a project basis. Freelance illustrators and designers have the flexibility to work on a variety of projects, including book illustrations, editorial commissions, branding projects, and digital media campaigns. They manage their own schedules, clients, and projects while building their portfolios and expanding their networks in the creative industry.

Art Director/Creative Director: With experience, graduates may advance to roles as art directors or creative directors, where they lead and oversee the visual direction of projects or creative teams. Art directors and creative directors conceptualize design concepts, develop visual strategies, and ensure creative excellence across all aspects of a project or campaign. They collaborate with clients, directors, and design teams to shape the overall visual identity and storytelling of projects.

Animator/Character Designer: Some graduates may explore careers in animation, where they use their illustration skills to create characters, backgrounds, and visual elements for animated productions. Animators and character designers work in film, television, video games, and advertising, bringing characters to life through movement, expression, and personality. They collaborate with animators, directors, and producers to develop compelling visual narratives and memorable characters.