BA (Hons) in Illustration

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Students should have completed their secondary education with a minimum overall percentage of 60% or above in a relevant qualification equivalent to the UK's General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or A-levels.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6, with no individual component score below 5.5.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80, with with no band less than 10.
• PTE: A minimum overall score of 61, 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.

Scholarships for International Students at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan):

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship awarded to high-achieving international students. This scholarship provides a significant tuition fee reduction for the duration of the student's program. The selection is based on academic merit, and applicants are automatically considered when they apply for a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate program at UCLan.

International Excellence Scholarship: The International Excellence Scholarship is aimed at international students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. This scholarship offers a tuition fee reduction for the first year of study and is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The selection criteria include academic achievements, personal statements, and references.

Country-Specific Scholarships: UCLan offers scholarships specifically tailored to students from certain countries or regions. These scholarships aim to promote cultural diversity and encourage international students from specific regions to study at UCLan. The eligibility criteria and award amounts vary depending on the specific scholarship.

Sports Scholarships: UCLan recognizes the achievements of talented student athletes and offers sports scholarships to support their academic and sporting pursuits. These scholarships are available for international students who demonstrate outstanding sporting ability and academic potential. The scholarships provide financial support, mentoring, and access to sports facilities and training programs.

Alumni Loyalty Discount: UCLan values its alumni and offers a tuition fee discount to international students who have previously completed a full degree program at UCLan and wish to pursue further studies at the university. The discount is applied to the tuition fees of eligible postgraduate programs.

External Scholarships and Funding: In addition to the scholarships offered by UCLan, international students can also explore external scholarship opportunities and funding options. Various organizations, foundations, and governments provide scholarships for international students studying in the UK. UCLan's International Office can provide guidance and information on external scholarship opportunities.

It is important to note that the availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines for scholarships may vary each year.

The BA (Hons) in Illustration program at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) prepares graduates for exciting and diverse career opportunities within the creative industries. Illustrators play a crucial role in visual communication, storytelling, and branding across various sectors, including publishing, advertising, design, animation, and more.  

1. Freelance Illustrator: Many graduates pursue freelance careers as professional illustrators, working independently and taking on diverse projects. Freelance illustrators have the flexibility to collaborate with clients from different industries, such as publishing houses, advertising agencies, design studios, and editorial publications. They create illustrations for books, magazines, advertisements, products, and digital media, showcasing their unique artistic style and creative vision.

2. Editorial Illustrator: Graduates can specialize in editorial illustration, creating visual content for newspapers, magazines, online publications, and blogs. Editorial illustrators collaborate with editors and writers to visually interpret articles, news stories, and features, using illustrations to enhance storytelling and engage readers.

3. Children's Book Illustrator: Illustrators with a passion for storytelling and character design can pursue careers as children's book illustrators. They collaborate with authors, publishers, and literary agents to bring stories to life through illustrations that appeal to young audiences. Children's book illustrators create captivating visuals that complement the narrative and capture readers' imaginations.

4. Concept Artist: Graduates interested in entertainment and media industries, such as film, animation, gaming, and advertising, can work as concept artists. Concept artists visualize ideas, characters, environments, and storyboards for film productions, video games, animated series, and advertising campaigns. They contribute to the early stages of creative development, helping to shape visual aesthetics and narrative concepts.

5. Graphic Novelist or Comic Book Artist: Some graduates specialize in graphic novels, comics, or webcomics, creating sequential art and storytelling through illustrated panels. Graphic novelists and comic book artists may work independently or collaborate with publishers to produce original graphic narratives for print or digital distribution.

6. Surface Pattern Designer: Graduates can explore careers in surface pattern design, creating original patterns and illustrations for textiles, wallpaper, stationery, home decor, and product packaging. Surface pattern designers combine artistic skills with commercial awareness to develop marketable designs for consumer products.

7. Animation and Motion Graphics: Illustrators interested in animation and motion graphics can pursue roles in animation studios, advertising agencies, or multimedia production companies. They contribute to animated projects, motion graphics, and visual effects, bringing illustrations to life through movement and storytelling.

8. Art Director or Creative Director: With experience and advanced skills, graduates can progress into roles as art directors or creative directors within creative agencies or design studios. Art directors oversee visual concepts, lead creative teams, and ensure artistic consistency and quality across projects.

9. Illustration Educator: Some graduates choose to pursue careers in education, teaching illustration and visual arts at schools, colleges, or universities. They share their expertise, mentor emerging artists, and inspire the next generation of illustrators through teaching and academic research.

10. Entrepreneurship and Self-Promotion: Graduates can establish their own illustration businesses, creating and selling their artwork through online platforms, galleries, or markets. They may also develop merchandise, products, or creative services based on their illustrations, leveraging entrepreneurial skills to build successful creative ventures.