Leeds School of Arts ShowÂ
The End of Year Show celebrates the work of students from across the arts. We invite you to experience their visionary projects online.
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate BA (Hons)
Illustration
Explore traditional, hybrid and experimental forms of visual communication to develop your own creative illustration practice.
Course Overview
-
W225 -
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
3 Years -
16 Sep 2024
This course will enable you to push the boundaries of illustration and develop the skills to work in the creative industries.
As part of your course you’ll:
- Develop concepts and narratives through drawing, sequential illustration and animation, digital practices, three-dimensional forms, performance and creative writing
- Underpin these practices with an emphasis on drawing and image-making
- Challenge the conventions of the discipline of illustration
- Define and locate your own practice within the professional context of illustration
- Investigate established unfamiliar and emerging processes, to inform your own individual methodologies
See examples of work from previous students by visiting the Leeds School of Arts festival site.
You’ll learn from experienced lecturers who practice and research in diverse industry fields with the knowledge and skills to support multidisciplinary explorations.
You’ll develop your ability to communicate and contribute to a team project by working with students studying different disciplines. This will simulate the working environment and enable you to practise collaborating on projects and briefs, a skill you’ll need in the workplace whether you choose to join an agency, studio or work as freelance.
Specialist facilities
Professional-standard spaces and facilities will enable you to explore and refine your creative practice and prepare for the demands of today’s competitive workplace.
Guest Lectures
We often run a number of guest lectures and workshops throughout the year, both on campus and in conjunction with external organisations. The INSIDE/OUT lecture series brings together some of the most exciting names from the fields of art, architecture, design, fashion, film, music, performing arts and beyond. You can catch up on previous lectures by visiting the Leeds Arts Research Centre site.
Why study Illustration at Leeds Beckett University...
- 95% of students on BA (Hons) Illustration were positive about the way teaching staff explain things*
- Close links to industry and creative businesses
- Tutors with extensive professional experience and networks
- Study within one of the largest university arts communities in the north, with 3000 students spread across over 40 courses
- Interdisciplinary study - gain access to a vast range of ideas, skills and facilities
- Leeds' thriving creative sector has countless opportunities for illustration graduates
*National Student Survey 2023
BA (Hons) Illustration This course will enable you to challenge the conventions of the discipline of illustration. You will explore traditional, hybrid and experimental forms of visual communication to develop your own creative practice.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
112
points required
We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
Entry requirements
112
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 112 points required.
(Minimum 72 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
GCSEs
GCSE English Language at Grade 4 or above (Grade C for GCSEs taken before 2017) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Access to HE Diploma
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points.T Levels
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, including a C or above on the core.Scottish Awards
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 5 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade B or above.Irish Leaving Certificate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 5 subjects at higher level of which at least 3 must be grade H3 or above.International baccalaureate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 3 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade H5 or above.Interview Required
We conduct interviews as part of the admissions process and suitable applicants will be invited to an interview - interview dates will be published in due course. Invitations are sent via UCAS and you should check your UCAS Hub account for further interview details. At interview you are assessed on your portfolio (artwork or photographs of artwork together with written assignments), general knowledge and your enthusiasm for Illustration.
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Our commitment to help every student succeed
Leeds Beckett University is committed to ensuring that every student with the potential to succeed at our University is able to do so regardless of their background. For this reason we operate a contextual admissions policy, which means we take into account a range of additional factors when we assess a student’s application. Applicants who meet at least one of our contextual admissions criteria will be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff (above).Our contextual admissions criteria are:
- Home postcode is in an area where few people go to University (POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2 area. This can be checked on the Office for Students website).
- Declared disability on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants).
- Over the age of 21 on the 1st of September before the course starts.
- Declared as a care experienced on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants).
Mature Applicants
Our university welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our 'Recognition of Prior Learning' policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable. All applicants should meet our standard entry requirements of GCSE grade C in English language and, where specified, Maths. Alternative qualifications such as functional skills are accepted in lieu of GCSEs for most courses.We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
International baccalaureate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 3 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade H5 or above.Interview Required
We conduct interviews as part of the admissions process and suitable applicants will be invited to an interview - interview dates will be published in due course. Invitations are sent via UCAS and you should check your UCAS Hub account for further interview details. At interview you are assessed on your portfolio (artwork or photographs of artwork together with written assignments), general knowledge and your enthusiasm for Illustration.
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Additional entry requirements:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Teaching & Learning
What you'll learn
This module aims to enable you to explore ideas and introduce you to Illustration approaches and processes through a series of short projects. You are encouraged to discover new ways of thinking about Illustration and experiment with creative problem-solving. You will become familiar with the course philosophy and ethos, gain an understanding of your new learning environment and become a part of the course community.
Develop new skills and approaches to challenge your existing creative practice. Through a range of activities, you will develop an awareness of illustration techniques and processes. This module also provides an opportunity for you to establish an initial ability to experiment with and articulate process.
Investigate how to interpret and analyse images, combinations of image and text as well as sequential and moving image forms through a theoretical and practical application of semiotics. You will develop an understanding of different communication models and their relevance to understanding the functions of visual communication in general.
You will be introduced to practical and conceptual creative approaches that will help you to interpret and visually represent content from a wide range of sources. The aim of this module is to expand your understanding of the potential of narrative and sequential forms within and beyond existing boundaries of Illustration practice.
Gain an understanding of contemporary illustration, graphic design and visual communication through its relationship to the history of art and design in general. You will begin to be able to locate your own work within wider contexts.
What you'll learn
Explore the potential and possibilities for the visual interpretation of texts and subject matter through image-making. This module will further identify your own interpretive approaches and develop your visual thinking and problem solving through research, experimentation and pictorial/verbal communication.
Extend the scope of your practical skills through the exploration of multidisciplinary methods of making. An emphasis is placed on the importance of playful approaches in the development of a creative practice, the value of actively embracing uncertainty as a key learning strategy and the role of process-led working as a means of invention.
You will be introduced to key debates, both historically and in a contemporary context, within illustration and visual communication and begin to apply some of these to your own emerging practice. Develop your critical thinking by researching, analysing, reflecting on, responding to and discussing some of the key debates within illustration.
This module introduces you to broad methods for exploring stories culturally, conceptually and practically with an emphasis on being socially aware and responsible. It provides an opportunity for you to identify and articulate your individual emerging practice through the production of a body of work and integrated Critical Study.
Begin to integrate theory and practice through a critical and professional study presented through written, visual and / or audio-visual formats connecting your research and critical understanding of the work made in the studio.
What you'll learn
You will be challenged to create a body of work appropriate to your emerging practice. Through negotiation, you will propose, develop and refine projects allowing you to build on and acquire new skills and explore appropriate practices within illustration.
You will explore how your future practice can exist within contexts external to your study, and within the scope of your individual ambitions. You will be encouraged to actively participate in commercial, cultural and community contexts, considering ethical implications.
Develop your ideas and approaches towards illustration by negotiating, developing and refining a coherent body of work, which represents a consolidation of your practice.
Fees & Funding hellooo
£9,250
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
£16,000
International 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £16000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Fees & Funding
£9,250
For students entering in 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Studio equipment and facilities
- Free entry to Inside/Out lecture series
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Essential Costs
- Year 1 materials and printing (£75-150. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- Year 2 materials and printing (£75-150. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- Year 3 materials and printing (£150-300. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- External hard drive (£70. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- Portfolio (£60. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
Optional Costs
- Sketchbooks (£50-100. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- Subscriptions / competitions (£100 per year)
- Course educational trips (£150-750)
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£16,000
For students entering in 2024
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2024/25 is £16000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Studio equipment and facilities
- Free entry to Inside/Out lecture series
Essential Costs
- Year 1 materials and printing (£75-150. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- Year 2 materials and printing (£75-150. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- Year 3 materials and printing (£150-300. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- External hard drive (£70. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- Portfolio (£60. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
Optional Costs
- Sketchbooks (£50-100. Digital alternatives can be submitted)
- Subscriptions / competitions (£100 per year)
- Course educational trips (£150-750)
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
95%
of students on BA (Hons) Illustration were positive about the way teaching staff explain things
20th
in the UK for Fashion & Textiles
Leeds School of Arts Leeds School of Arts encourages individuality, inspires creativity, and creates impact.
Moving on up
Leeds Beckett climbs 40 places in the Complete University Guide 2024
Your future in our hands
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
BA (Hons) Illustration - Costume Design and Animation Workshop Find out more about the Costume Design and Animation Workshop, which took place as part of the Creative Conversations Week 2024. Illustration student Beth explains how she benefits from meeting industry experts as part of her course.
Career Prospects
You will graduate with the skills to work in a variety of sectors including the creative arts and design industries. Your creativity and ability to respond to a brief will enable you to work for a range of employers including marketing agencies, publishers and animation studios. You will also have the knowledge and practical skills to set up as a freelance illustrator.
- Illustrator
- Animator
- Film maker
- Graphic designer
Scholarships and bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that an education at Leeds Beckett University is open to all. If you're thinking of joining us for undergraduate study, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship or bursary to help with the cost of university. To find out if you are be eligible visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
We also offer a range of non-repayable scholarships for international students. To find out if you may be eligible visit our scholarships for international students page and select your home country from the drop-down list.
Our Graduate Promise
We have a dedicated team of people who will support you with all aspects of your career planning, from day one until 18 months after you graduate.
Getting you career ready is an integral part of your university life and this is embedded throughout your lectures and seminars. Outside of your course there is a wide range of support available to help you achieve your career goals, including:
- Getting ready to apply for jobs
- Working on your CV
- Interview skills and assessment centres
- Connecting with employers and organisations
Your Beckett experience
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Describe your experience of studying at Leeds Beckett What’s it like studying at Leeds School of Arts and Leeds Beckett University? Some of our students share their thoughts.
What does creativity mean to you? At Leeds School of Arts creativity lays behind everything we do. Find out what this word means to just some of our students.
Experience Leeds Beckett
Our state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments give you everything you need to succeed.
Leeds - Best Place to Live in the North and Northeast*
From music venues and art galleries to parks, shopping and transport – we’ve got it all. We also have the best-paying jobs outside of London.
*The Sunday Times Best Place to Live guide, 2024.
Still thinking about your uni choices? Discover Uni has official information to help you decide. They provide statistics for courses taken from national surveys and data collected from universities about their students.
