MSc Human Resource Management (Top Up)
The MSc Human Resource Management (Top-Up) program at the University of Gloucestershire...
BA Hons Illustration
Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
This program provides a comprehensive exploration of illustration as a powerful form of communication. It goes beyond traditional drawing to encompass a wide array of techniques and technologies, reflecting the expanding nature of the illustration field. Students are encouraged to be experimental, embrace new media, and develop their own individual artistic practice. The program aims to equip graduates with the creative, technical, and entrepreneurial skills necessary to navigate the professional landscape of the creative industries, including preparing them for self-publishing and promotion. An integrated foundation year option is also available for students who require additional preparation before commencing the full degree.
Curriculum: The curriculum is structured to build foundational skills and then allow for increasing specialization and the development of a personal portfolio. Early modules often introduce fundamental drawing techniques, the relationship between words and pictures in visual narratives, and an exploration of various materials and processes, potentially including printmaking and an introduction to animation. As the course progresses, students typically engage with more advanced concepts in sequential illustration (such as for comics and graphic novels), and focus on developing their professional practice. This often involves understanding the industry, self-promotion, and potentially working on live briefs or projects. The program at the University of Gloucestershire also emphasizes the use of state-of-the-art facilities, such as printmaking studios, Apple Mac suites, and 3D printing, which are integrated into the curriculum.
Research Focus: The BA (Hons) Illustration program at the University of Gloucestershire has a strong emphasis on practice-based research. This means that students are encouraged to explore their creative inquiries and develop their visual language through the process of making itself. While written critical analysis may be a component, the core of the research lies in the practical experimentation and the development of a body of illustrative work that addresses specific themes or questions. This approach encourages students to not only be skilled technicians but also thoughtful and critical practitioners who can articulate the ideas behind their creative output. The university's broader research in the creative arts, including areas like "Creative Practice and Theory," provides a supportive context for this practice-led research within the illustration program.
Industry Engagement: A key strength of this program is its focus on industry engagement. The University of Gloucestershire provides numerous opportunities for students to gain real-world experience and build professional connections. This can include working on live briefs set by design and advertising agencies, and national brands, providing valuable portfolio pieces and a taste of working with clients. While the program description does not explicitly state a compulsory year-long placement like the "Placement" versions of some other degrees, it does highlight opportunities to gain experience through placements with relevant organizations. The program also benefits from the expertise of accomplished lecturers, including award-winning illustrators, and offers opportunities for students to potentially exhibit their work at major international events, further connecting them with the professional illustration world. The emphasis on self-publishing under the university's own imprint, Pittville Press, also provides a direct route to experience the commercial side of the industry.
Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Illustration program at the University of Gloucestershire, while based in the UK, encourages a global perspective in the field of illustration. Students are likely to be exposed to a diverse range of illustrative styles and cultural influences through the curriculum and the work of visiting artists or guest speakers. Furthermore, the program's focus on the broader creative industries and the potential for graduates to work with national and international clients inherently incorporates a global outlook. While the provided search results don't detail specific study abroad programs within the BA (Hons) Illustration description for the University of Gloucestershire, many UK universities offer such opportunities, either as a full year abroad or shorter exchange programs, which students might be able to explore within the university's wider offerings, potentially broadening their global artistic and professional horizons.
Location
Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 16600
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.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 64.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Gloucestershire offers a range of scholarships designed to support international students in their academic journey. These scholarships are aimed at making education more accessible and affordable, allowing students to focus on their studies and enjoy their time in the UK without financial stress. The university provides several merit-based, need-based, and country-specific scholarships to help ease the cost of tuition fees for international students.
International Scholarships: The University of Gloucestershire offers International Scholarships for students coming from various countries across the globe. These scholarships typically range from £1,000 to £3,000 per year, based on academic achievement and the chosen course of study. The scholarship is automatically awarded to eligible students upon acceptance of their offer to study at the university. These awards are designed to make studying in the UK more affordable and are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Excellence Scholarships: For international students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, the University of Gloucestershire offers Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved exceptional academic results in their previous studies. The Excellence Scholarship can be worth up to £3,000 and is designed to recognize and support high-achieving students who show great potential in their chosen field of study.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, the University of Gloucestershire offers country-specific scholarships to students from certain regions. These scholarships are tailored to students from specific countries, helping to promote international diversity at the university. The scholarships vary in amount, eligibility criteria, and application processes.
Graduates of the University of Gloucestershire's BA (Hons) Illustration program are equipped with a versatile skillset highly sought after in the diverse and expanding creative industries. Their ability to communicate visually, tell stories through images, and work across various media opens doors to a wide range of exciting career paths.
Freelance Illustrator: Many illustration graduates choose to work independently as freelance illustrators. They can undertake commissions for a variety of clients across different sectors, including publishing (book covers, inside illustrations), editorial (magazines, newspapers), advertising, and design. The University of Gloucestershire's program, with its emphasis on developing a unique artistic voice, self-publishing, and potentially working on live briefs, provides a strong foundation for the entrepreneurial skills and portfolio needed to succeed in the freelance world.
Children's Book Illustrator: With a strong focus on visual storytelling, many graduates find rewarding careers as children's book illustrators. They create the images that bring stories to life for young readers. The program's exploration of the relationship between words and pictures directly prepares graduates for this specialized field of illustration, where narrative and character design are crucial.
Editorial Illustrator: Editorial illustrators create images that accompany articles and features in magazines, newspapers, and online publications. These illustrations often need to convey a specific message or concept quickly and effectively. The University of Gloucestershire's program, which likely encourages students to respond to briefs and consider the communicative power of their work, would be highly relevant for this career path.
Concept Artist: Working in the entertainment industry, concept artists create the initial visual ideas for characters, environments, and objects for films, video games, and animation. The program's training in drawing, visual communication, and potentially an introduction to animation would provide a valuable starting point for a career as a concept artist.
Surface Pattern Designer: Surface pattern designers create repeatable patterns for a wide range of products, including textiles, wallpapers, stationery, and ceramics. The program's potential to explore different media and techniques, including printmaking, would be directly applicable to the skills needed in this design-oriented illustration career.
Graphic Novelist/Comic Artist: For those passionate about sequential art, a career as a graphic novelist or comic artist is a natural fit. These roles involve both writing and illustrating narratives in a comic book format. The University of Gloucestershire's curriculum, with its focus on sequential illustration and visual storytelling, would provide the necessary skills in both areas.
Animator: While the program is primarily in Illustration, an introduction to animation may be included, and strong drawing and visual skills are fundamental to animation. Graduates could pursue further specialization in animation and work in various forms of animation, from 2D to 3D, contributing to films, television, and online content.
In-House Illustrator/Designer: Many companies and organizations, including design studios, advertising agencies, and even large corporations, employ in-house illustrators or designers. These roles might involve creating illustrations for marketing materials, websites, or internal communications. The program's emphasis on industry engagement and working to briefs would prepare graduates for the demands of an in-house role.
Printmaker/Artist: Graduates with a strong interest in traditional printmaking techniques could pursue careers as independent printmakers or artists, creating and selling their own limited-edition prints and artwork. The University of Gloucestershire's likely provision of printmaking facilities would allow students to develop the specialized skills required for this career path.
Creative Entrepreneur (e.g., starting an online shop): The program's encouragement of an entrepreneurial mindset empowers graduates to launch their own creative ventures. This could involve setting up an online shop to sell their illustrations as prints, stationery, or other merchandise. The experience gained in self-publishing and promotion during the degree would be directly beneficial for such an entrepreneurial path.
