BA (Hons) Illustration

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: International students applying for undergraduate programs at the University of Northampton are typically required to have a minimum academic achievement of 60% or above in their secondary school or equivalent 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 70, with at least 17 in Listening, Reading,  Speaking, and Writing.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 65 with no individual score below 59.

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 Northampton offers various scholarships and financial aid opportunities to support international students in their academic journey. These scholarships aim to recognize outstanding academic achievements, promote diversity, and provide assistance to those who may face financial constraints. 

International Scholarships: The university offers a range of international scholarships specifically designed for international students. These scholarships are merit-based and provide partial tuition fee waivers. The eligibility criteria, award amounts, and application processes may vary.

Chancellor's Scholarships: The Chancellor's Scholarships are prestigious awards offered to high-achieving international students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and potential. These scholarships provide a significant reduction in tuition fees and are highly competitive. Eligible students are automatically considered for this scholarship based on their application for admission.

Country-Specific Scholarships: The University of Northampton also offers scholarships specifically tailored to students from certain countries or regions. These scholarships may be in partnership with governments, organizations, or educational institutions from those countries. The eligibility criteria, application process, and award amounts may vary depending on the specific scholarship.

Subject-Specific Scholarships: Some academic departments at the university may offer subject-specific scholarships to international students. These scholarships are typically based on academic excellence in a particular field of study. Students pursuing specific courses or disciplines may be eligible for these scholarships.

External Scholarships and Funding: In addition to the university's own scholarships, international students can also explore external funding options, such as government scholarships, corporate sponsorships, and charitable organizations. The university's international office or scholarship team can provide guidance and information on external funding opportunities available to international students.

It is important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines may change from year to year. 

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Illustration program at the University of Northampton, UK, have a multitude of career opportunities in the field of illustration across various industries. With their developed skills, creativity, and unique artistic styles, graduates can pursue roles in publishing, advertising, design, animation, and more. 

Illustrator: Illustrators create visual representations to convey ideas, stories, or concepts. They may work on a freelance basis or be employed by publishing houses, magazines, advertising agencies, design studios, or animation studios. Illustrators produce artwork for books, magazines, advertisements, posters, packaging, digital media, and more, using traditional and digital techniques to bring their ideas to life.

Children's Book Illustrator: Children's book illustrators specialize in creating artwork for children's books, including picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels. They collaborate with authors, publishers, and editors to visualize characters, scenes, and narratives that engage and captivate young readers. Children's book illustrators may develop their unique artistic styles and build portfolios that showcase their storytelling abilities.

Editorial Illustrator: Editorial illustrators create visual content for newspapers, magazines, and online publications to accompany articles, columns, and opinion pieces. They work closely with editors and writers to interpret and enhance written content through visual imagery, infographics, and illustrations. Editorial illustrators may specialize in topics such as politics, current events, lifestyle, fashion, or science, producing illustrations that inform, entertain, and provoke thought.

Advertising Illustrator: Advertising illustrators collaborate with advertising agencies, marketing firms, and brands to create visual content for advertising campaigns, promotional materials, and branding initiatives. They develop concepts, storyboards, and visual assets that communicate brand messages, attract target audiences, and enhance brand identity. Advertising illustrators may work on print ads, digital ads, billboards, packaging, or social media campaigns.

Concept Artist: Concept artists develop visual concepts and designs for films, video games, animation, and multimedia projects. They collaborate with directors, producers, and creative teams to visualize characters, environments, props, and visual effects that convey the look and feel of the project. Concept artists may work in entertainment studios, game development companies, animation studios, or digital media agencies.

Storyboard Artist: Storyboard artists create sequential visualizations of scenes and narratives for films, television shows, commercials, and animations. They translate scripts or concepts into visual storyboards that communicate camera angles, shot compositions, and narrative pacing to directors, producers, and production teams. Storyboard artists play a crucial role in pre-production planning and visualization of visual narratives.

Freelance Illustrator/Entrepreneur: Freelance illustrators have the flexibility to work independently and pursue a variety of illustration projects across different industries. They may create custom illustrations for clients, sell prints or merchandise featuring their artwork, and establish their brands through online platforms, social media, and networking. Freelance illustrators may diversify their income streams by offering services such as commissions, licensing, teaching, or selling digital assets.

Art Director/Creative Director: Art directors and creative directors oversee the visual direction and creative aspects of projects in various industries, including publishing, advertising, design, and entertainment. They lead creative teams, develop concepts, review artwork, and ensure that visual content meets project goals, client expectations, and brand standards. Art directors and creative directors may work for creative agencies, publishing houses, or in-house creative departments.