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BA (Hons) Illustration

Start Date: 7th September 2026

Length 3 years
Study Full-Time
Location Rye Hill Campus

Qualification Gained

BA (Hons) Illustration (awarded by NCG)

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More about the course

The aim of this Honours Degree is to give you the essential skills and attributes which are crucial to this area of narrative and commercial contemporary illustration, based on the needs of local and national industry. Our Illustration degree prides itself on innovation and new approaches to working with narrative visualisation through a host of personal and client-based projects. You'll learn practical techniques to develop both traditional and digital skills with an emphasis on drawing and visualisation techniques as a foundation for studio practice.

You will be introduced to alternative methods of working that allow a free flow of creative and experimental work to be produced, as well as a clear understanding of industry practice and workflows that will benefit you in your future career within the creative industries. During this degree, you will have experience working with print making, digital visualisation in 2D and 3D as well as traditional drawing and painting.

Entry requirements

64 UCAS points (related to Art and Design or Digital Arts subjects).

Once your application has been reviewed, you will be asked to submit a digital portfolio (details will follow through email from our Admissions Team) or invited to Newcastle College University Centre to discuss your portfolio in-person.

If you are a current Newcastle College student and successfully meet the published Level 3 entry criteria in an appropriate subject[s], you will be guaranteed a place on this course.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved grade 4 or higher in GCSE Maths and English Language or the Level 2 equivalence (i.e. Functional Skills or Adult Literacy/Numeracy).

At Newcastle College University Centre we welcome applications from students studying new T-Level qualifications.

Further details on our entry requirements can be found here.

What will I learn?

Year One

Introduction to Illustration
Narrative and Sequential Development
Figure Drawing
3D Visualisation
Personal and Professional Development 1
Commercial Illustration Practice 1
Contextual Studies.

Year Two

Character Design and Development
Digital Storytelling
Processes and Practice
Personal and Professional Development 2
Commercial Illustration Practice 2
Contemporary Influences.

Year Three

Project Proposal
Project Development
Commercial Realisation
Reflective Practice.

How is the course taught?

Studio practice
Seminars
Lectures
Specialist workshops
Guest speakers
Independent research
Critique/tutorials.

How am I assessed?

Practical assessments
Portfolios
Progress file
Presentations
Essays
Reports.

Work experience

You will have the opportunity to undertake live briefs from industry. Previous students have worked on projects for companies such as Channel 4, Live Theatre and Penguin Books.

Where can I progress?

There are a number of career opportunities open to you once you complete your degree. You might decide to go into editorial illustration, fashion illustration or book illustration. Alternatively, you may explore careers within graphic design, print making or textile design. If you wish to continue your studies, you could choose to undertake a relevant Master's degree or a PGCE if you want to go into teaching.

Course costs and information

Tuition fees vary depending on the course and mode of study. Read more about tuition fees and financial support.

Fees for international students vary depending on the course. Find out more about international fees and payments.

It's important that you know what your tuition fee includes and what other costs you'll need to plan for. Read what your fee includes here.

Alfie Flounders

Level 6 Photography

"I love the independence of the course and being able to reflect back on the development of my skills since I started here."

Paul Smyth

Lecturer | Digital Arts

"I run my own 3D animation company and I'm one of the lecturers on the BA (Hons) Animation course. I try to not only bring in industry skills, but also push experimentation with new technologies to further our students' skills."

Alessio Pesci

Level 6 Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprentice

"The tutors were really supportive and I think the whole class would agree with that. We felt really welcomed and really calm, and I feel that support was always there throughout. I’d 100% recommend an apprenticeship with Newcastle College University Centre."