Key details

Award title

MA Illustration (PGDip also available)

Awarding body

Falmouth University

Level

Duration

MA 2 years; PGDip 15 months

Mode of study

Online, part-time

Total MA course fee

£11,795

3 start dates per year

January, May and September

Next welcome week

22 May 2023

Next start date

29 May 2023

Application deadline

15 May 2023

Application process

Apply for MA

Apply for PGDip

Online Masters in Illustration

Introduction

Celebrate the role that illustration plays within a global context and immerse yourself in the diversity of practice that increasingly defines the subject in the 21st century.

C onnect, engage and network with your peers on a global level and explore innovative approaches to visual communication. Push creative boundaries and both question and influence new thinking on the subject.

You will:

Innovate within the field of illustration and actively contribute to the ongoing evolution of illustration practice as a form of visual communication
Join an illustration community that has a long history and reputation at Falmouth, with many graduates being internationally recognised for their work
Work towards becoming successfully embedded and connected within the wider visual communication industry.

Students to gather for the 2023 Falmouth Illustration Festival

Online students are set to meet in person for talks, networking and hands-on workshops - find out more about the event.

MA Illustration students making their mark!

Current student Amy Haarhoff's beautiful drawings have been shortlisted for an award - read the full story here.

This MA is designed to help illustrators with well-versed practical, drawing, and mark-making skills further develop their output.

Whether you’ve recently earned an undergraduate degree in Illustration or a related discipline, or if you’re an established illustrator looking to change the direction of your practice, our course can support you in realising your creative and professional goals.

Careers and employability service

In addition to the guidance offered by our tutors, you can also access our RealWORKS, our careers and employability service throughout your studies, and for up to 5 years following graduation.

Our expert team will help you identify potential opportunities in the UK or internationally, prepare for job interviews, advise you on starting up your own business, and more.

Find out more about the careers and opportunities available to you as an MA Illustration graduate:

You should have:

An honours degree at 2:2 level or above in Illustration or a related subject.

If your first language is not English, you'll need to take one of the following tests to verify your proficiency:

IELTS - minimum overall score of IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
TOEFL iBT (online test) - minimum of 88 overall and at least 21 in all 4 components
LanguageCert (online test) - a High Pass from the ESOL B2 Communicator test in reading, writing, speaking and listening (2 parts)

We also accept a range of equivalent recognised English language qualifications. Candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply.

For more information regarding equivalent international qualifications and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) please call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 or view our handy guide:

What you’ll learn

Explore the different context and applications of illustration, the range of visual tools available to illustrators and the role of storytelling within illustration.

Position your illustration practice within the wider communications industry and develop a self-promotion strategy.

Course structure

You will need to complete four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit project (180 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award.

PGDip

You will need to complete four 30-credit modules (120 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. A dissertation (major project) is not required.

Please note the module orders are subject to change.

Module one

Process and Practice (30 credits)

This module introduces the different contexts/applications of Illustration today, with a view to positioning your own practice and developing your personal pathway.

You will expand your understanding of ‘audience’ and the differing needs of audiences.

The module seeks to examine local and global perspectives of the subject and the emergent skills required to imagine and realise effective illustration/s for both regional and global audiences.

Module two

Visual Language (30 credits)

To accelerate the development of your personal ‘visual language’ this module involves an in-depth exploration of the broad range of visual tools available to the illustrator.

This includes different approaches to the core mark‐making skills, both haptic and digital, relevant to illustration practice.

Module three

Narrative and Storytelling (30 Credits)

In this module you will explore the fundamental role of ‘storytelling’ within illustration practice and the wider visual communication industries.

You will analyse its theoretical, cultural contexts and critically evaluate storytelling strategies as appropriate for differing local and global audiences.

Module four

Professional Practice (30 Credits)

This module focuses on the professional practice of Illustration, its applications, procedures and networks within a contemporary global context, building your entrepreneurial skills to inform your career or business future.

You will consider your own ‘brand values’ and develop an appropriate strategy for disseminating them to the right people in the industry.

You will be required to identify a network of industry connections and prepare a coherent and coordinated marketing and self-promotion strategy. This will include acquiring an advanced understanding of social media strategy.

Final major project (MA only)

Final Major Project (MA only) (60 credits)

During this module you will develop a comprehensive body of work that reflects your chosen pathway and expresses an original personal and professional identity.

It builds on learning from previous modules and allows you to position yourself and your work for next steps following the course.

Want to learn more about any of the modules?

Get in touch with our expert Course Adviser team. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the programme, our application process, funding options, and more.

Process and Practice (30 credits)

This module introduces the different contexts/applications of Illustration today, with a view to positioning your own practice and developing your personal pathway.

You will expand your understanding of ‘audience’ and the differing needs of audiences.

The module seeks to examine local and global perspectives of the subject and the emergent skills required to imagine and realise effective illustration/s for both regional and global audiences.

Visual Language (30 credits)

To accelerate the development of your personal ‘visual language’ this module involves an in-depth exploration of the broad range of visual tools available to the illustrator.

This includes different approaches to the core mark‐making skills, both haptic and digital, relevant to illustration practice.

Narrative and Storytelling (30 Credits)

In this module you will explore the fundamental role of ‘storytelling’ within illustration practice and the wider visual communication industries.

You will analyse its theoretical, cultural contexts and critically evaluate storytelling strategies as appropriate for differing local and global audiences.

Professional Practice (30 Credits)

You will consider your own ‘brand values’ and develop an appropriate strategy for disseminating them to the right people in the industry.

Final Major Project (MA only) (60 credits)

During this module you will develop a comprehensive body of work that reflects your chosen pathway and expresses an original personal and professional identity.

It builds on learning from previous modules and allows you to position yourself and your work for next steps following the course.

Want to learn more about any of the modules?

Get in touch with our expert Course Adviser team. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the programme, our application process, funding options, and more.

Engaging learning activities will help you apply theory to practice. They could include:

Concise online presentations to introduce key concepts
Small group and class discussions and crits to facilitate interaction and dialogue
Online critiques to test assumptions, ideas and to receive feedback from peers and tutors
Group tutorials throughout the course
Independent study
Self-evaluation and peer feedback.

As one of our students, you’ll have access to a range of services designed to support your studies and make your time with us as enjoyable as possible.

Falmouth’s comprehensive online library of books, journals, and resources
A Student Advisor team to answer non-academic queries
Online software tutorials via LinkedIn Learning
The Students' Union community
Career advice, CV creation, practice interviews, and more via our careers platform

Assessment methods for the masters degree in Illustration can typically include:

Practical assignments, for example portfolios and online presentations
Written assignments, for example writing a research journal
Work-based assignments that are grounded in your existing practise where you will apply tools such as storytelling or market research.

Up to twice a year, you’ll have the optional opportunity to meet your classmates and tutors in person. Dates and location of the events will vary. Events usually incorporate a weekend to accommodate busy schedules.

Previous events have included:

A series of virtual workshops to introduce students to Riso printing, a process where you build a print layer by layer, along with talks by academics on topics including pitching projects and finding your voice as an artist. Read more about the event here.
A visit to The House of Illustration in London, the UK's only public gallery dedicated solely to illustration and graphic art. Students viewed exhibitions and participated in a practical workshop. Read more about the event here.

Find out more about face-to-face events on our student support page.

Application steps

Submit an online application form
Submit a copy of your first degree certificate or Level 6 equivalent qualification and your IELTS certificate if English is not your first language
Submit a digital portfolio of your illustration practice. This may include published work, personal projects, or your current work in progress and can take the form of a link to your blog or website.

Late applications may be considered if places are available.

For free advice, please contact our friendly and knowledgeable course advisors on +44 (0)1223 447713.

Fees

Total course fee

£11,795 (including £250 acceptance fee)

Payment options

One-off payment
Six equal instalments spread over a two-year period.

Payment methods

Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer.

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.

Typical course costs

As work during the course can be created in any medium at the choice of the individual, the exact equipment requirements will differ according to your practice and preferred ways of working.

You will need word processing software and Adobe Creative Cloud and have a laptop/desktop capable of running these applications.

For more information, please call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.

Funding options

Application offers

We offer a range of bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.

Loans

You may be eligible for funding from the UK Government.

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.

Total course fee

£11,795 (including £250 acceptance fee)

Payment options

One-off payment
Six equal instalments spread over a two-year period.

Payment methods

Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer.

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.

As work during the course can be created in any medium at the choice of the individual, the exact equipment requirements will differ according to your practice and preferred ways of working.

You will need word processing software and Adobe Creative Cloud and have a laptop/desktop capable of running these applications.

For more information, please call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.

Application offers

We offer a range of bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.

Loans

You may be eligible for funding from the UK Government.

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.