“There are so many opportunities for experimentation and you can really benefit from using the facilities available.”
BA (Hons)Illustration
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2026
Register your interest- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
UCAS code: IL01
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 104-120Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study an illustration degree at Solent University
Turn the art of your imagination into crafted illustrations while developing a comprehensive drawing-based skill set, and building your portfolio to succeed in a competitive environment.
- 0thin the UK in interior design, out of 35 institutions (Guardian University Guide 2026)
- Top0%nationally for graduate earnings (LEO 2025)
- 0%positivity measure for academic support (NSS 2025)
- Enter industry competitions to gain exposure for your creative work. Past students have found success at the Penguin Student Book Cover Awards and the Creative Conscience Awards.
- Access specialist print room facilities, including screen-printing, letterpress and etching presses.
- Study at a well-established university in the art and design field. With a history dating back to 1855, we provide a traditional art school experience tailored for the 21st century.
- Sell your work through the University's retail space, Re:So and gain paid experience through the student-run Solent Creatives, helping to gain a robust portfolio.
- Graduates have gone on to work for prestigious companies, including Penguin Books, and have secured commissions with clients such as The Guardian, New Statesman, The New York Times, Urban Outfitters, and The V&A. Graduates have also pursued further studies at The Royal College of Art.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Course overview
In dedicated studio space, you will have access to the space, equipment, and academic support essential for reaching your full potential as an illustrator.
The programme encourages you to experiment and develop your unique voice in an environment that fosters risk-taking and ambition in shaping your personal approach to visual art, whether as a practitioner, critic, or theorist.
To support creativity, the curriculum places a strong emphasis on gaining hands-on practice and understanding transferable skills. You'll engage in diverse activities, from working in the print room to drawing in urban environments. Additionally, you will participate in projects and case studies, gaining invaluable experience in addressing live briefs that reflect real-world challenges in the field of illustration. This comprehensive approach is designed to enhance your practical skills while nurturing your artistic development.
Your professional development is enhanced through access to a comprehensive collection of high-end printing and design facilities. These resources include two Vandercook letterpresses, three screen print beds, and three Intaglio/etching presses, all of which are ideal for calligraphy and etching work. Additionally, you can use well-equipped photographic studios and darkrooms, a fully equipped workshop for metal and wood-working, and Apple Macs featuring the latest Adobe Creative Suite software.
The teaching team comprises professionals from diverse backgrounds, many of whom are actively engaged in the industry. This strong connection with practicing professionals has resulted in a range of work-based opportunities, live briefs, and placements for past students. In 2026, students continued to benefit from these valuable experiences, contributing artwork to Southampton Football Club’s match day programmes.
Students are given the opportunity to exhibit, both in Southampton at the annual degree show and at the D&AD New Blood Festival in London, where their work can be seen by a collection of art directors and agencies.
If you’re looking to study our illustration degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the art and design foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the art and design foundation year.
Student work
Our creative degrees allow our students to develop a critical eye for design with a knowledge of different design approaches and problem solving techniques. Take a look at some of the great work they produce.
Who is this course for?
The Illustration programme is ideally aimed at those interested in drawing-based art or design. With a focus on practical abilities and creative expression, students will gain valuable experiences that will serve them well in their professional journeys. You can specialise in a chosen area (e.g. character design for games, editorial, or commercial based illustration) while building up a range of employable skills through live and competition briefs.
What does this course lead to?
Graduates from the Illustration programme are now working in a variety of areas including graphic design, illustration, animation, multimedia design and teaching. Clients include:
- Penguin Books
- The Guardian
- New Statesman
- New Scientist
- The New York Times
- The V&A
- Urban Outfitters
- Washington Post
- Prospect Magazine
- The Observer
- The Economist
- The Wall Street Journal
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
Students study under the guidance of a supportive academic team, which includes award-winning staff who have diverse experience, and many of whom have come from or are still practicing within industry as consultants, researchers and freelance artists or illustrators. The course team has strong links with a variety of clients, including local organisations such as Southampton City Council, and design bodies including D&AD and the Association of Illustrators.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
You’ll make extensive use of our print room facilities, including screen printing, letterpress and etching presses. Students have free access to dedicated studio space at our Below Bar campus where they are able to experiment with a wide variety of media including intaglio and silkscreen print making, photography, digital imaging, drawing and painting to discover their own style.
The creative space also boasts an in-house publishing press, which brings together industry-standard digital with traditional printing resources for student publications. In addition, there are letterpress, print-making, drawing and bookbinding facilities, all of which are designed to aid students’ journeys from initial concepts through to producing a final product for their portfolio.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Reading the Image
This module is designed to inspire and motivate students in the development of a diverse array of research and critical reflection skills, which will be meticulously documented through a portfolio of artefacts and a 500-word case study focused on an Illustrator of the student's choice. The research and the creation of visual artefacts will be structured around weekly topics, including Visual Semiotics.
Observation and Drawing
This module introduces students to a diverse range of approaches to drawing and mark making, aimed at developing a comprehensive understanding of their personal illustrative practice. Through engaging with a variety of processes and techniques inspired by a weekly theme, students will be encouraged to experiment and innovate.
Defining Your Practice
Students will carefully identify a project theme that will challenge their existing skills and allow them to reimagine this theme through the creation of a printed publication and a limited edition print, both suitable for retail and exhibition purposes. In this module, there will be a strong emphasis on the techniques and processes developed through a variety of workshops.
Visual Positioning
This introductory module is designed to empower students to explore and develop a diverse array of outcomes through the utilisation and experimentation of various materials, both analogue and digital.
Core modules
Interpreting Cultural Codes
This module delves into the visual language of illustration, positioning it as a crucial medium for fostering wider participation and comprehension, particularly when addressing subjects of a complex nature. Through a series of seminars that examine the history of social and political commentary, as well as cultural signs and symbols, students will be equipped to unravel intricate themes.
Editorial Illustration
This module examines the crucial role of illustration within editorial features tailored for both digital and print mediums. Students will delve into the history of editorial illustration, tracing its usage and transformation across various communication platforms throughout the years, and how it effectively communicates textual information.
Storytelling and Narrative
This module examines the role of illustration in conveying information in a linear format. Students will have the opportunity to explore various methods by which illustration contributes to narrative formation, particularly in mediums like children’s picture books and graphic novels.
Commercial Illustration
This module delves into the diverse ways illustration serves as a powerful promotional tool. Students will investigate various applications of illustration in packaging, advertising, apparel and giftware, grounded in principles such as Gestalt Theory.
Core modules
Observing Contemporary Society
This module will engage students in a campaign designed to raise awareness of a current issue drawn from a local, national, or international source. Collaborating with an organisation or through participation in a live competition brief, such as the Creative Conscience awards, each student will create a body of visual work.
The Competitive Illustrator
Students will embark on an increasingly independent inquiry into a specific subject area, with a distinct emphasis on their individual professional aspirations, by engaging with a live competition brief. In previous iterations, these briefs have been sourced from publishers such as Penguin and Batsford, through which students have demonstrated an advanced articulation of ideas and concepts across a diverse range of visual propositions.
Professional Practice and Portfolio
Throughout the module, students will delve deeply into the various facets of self-branding and marketing. Engaging in a series of interactive workshops, they will develop essential skills such as interview techniques and client communication. Additionally, they will gain insights into managing business and legal matters, all geared toward equipping them for promising employment opportunities in the future.
Final Major Project Illustration
To begin this module students will showcase a portfolio of visual research accompanied by a 1500-word essay outlining their critical approach to the self-initiated project. Students will then engage in the production of their self-initiated projects, experimenting with various processes to produce different artefacts, alongside an additional 500-word module summary. These artefacts will be showcased at the annual end-of-year degree show.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Block teaching at Solent
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Visual methods
- Creative design projects
- Assignments
As part of this course, you will study one module at a time, giving you the chance to build a deeper understanding and see the results of your hard work more quickly. With regular assessments and feedback, rather than exams all at once, you’ll also benefit from improved focus, and a more manageable workload.
Learn more about block teaching
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in illustration?
For illustrators, much of the industry works on a freelance basis, however in-house opportunities are also available in a wide variety of organisations. The Illustration course equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue various careers in creative fields. Graduates can find opportunities in numerous employment areas, including children's book illustration, editorial illustration and editorial design, and concept and character design. Additionally, the programme prepares students for roles in animation and fashion illustration. Other potential career paths include book jacket design, motion graphics, and live events. Students may also explore careers in mural art, film and TV, title sequence design, and lettering art. Installation design and graphic prop design for film and TV are further avenues for professional engagement, along with roles in advertising, creative direction, and fine art or photography. This comprehensive preparation ensures graduates are well rounded and ready to make significant contributions to the creative industry.
UK publishing revenues reached £6.9bn in 2023, according to data from the Publishers Association. The authoritative Advertising Association/WARC Expenditure Report predicts the UK advertising market will grow by 3.8% to reach £36.1bn. (Creative Industries Council).
You could earn:
Illustrator
Rate per day: £100 to £200
Most illustrators work on a freelance basis, so income figures are hard to estimate and salaried roles for illustrators are not common. Prices vary greatly depending on the client and usage of the artwork. Well-established illustrators may earn up to £40,000 or more.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“There are so many opportunities for experimentation and you can really benefit from using the facilities available.”
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence
Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MA Visual Communication
Do you have an eye for design? Would you like to help influence the future of visual communications? Our MA Visual Communication degree is ideal for creatives keen to refine their practice, working as part of an interdisciplinary group of students.
Find out moreTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are:
- UK, ROI, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,790 per year
- International full-time fees: £19,081 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2026/27 additional costs are not yet available. For guidance, previous additional costs have been:
Compulsory costs
- Foundation year
Portfolios, A4 ring binders, scale rulers, sketchbooks and basic drawing materials will be required: approximately £150.
Printing: £100 - Year one
Drawing materials and printing costs: £350 - Year two
Drawing materials and printing costs: £350 - Year three
Drawing materials, printing, and exhibition costs: £500
Study trips: £110
Optional costs
- Year one
Study trip: £300 - Year two
Study trip: £300 - Year three
Study trip: £300
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels in an relevant subject, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D*, or equivalent qualification, or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- UK applicants will be asked to attend a portfolio viewing.
- Direct entry into second or third year may be considered for this course
- Applicants over the age of 21 will be considered based on relevant experience, without the tariff point requirements.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 14 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Find out more about Solent's contextual offers
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component.
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
TOEFL IBT tests taken prior to 21 January 2026
- Minimum overall score of 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component.
TOEFL IBT tests taken from 21 January 2026
- Minimum overall score of 4.5 with a minimum of 4 in each individual component.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
UCAS points: 104-120
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
