Our Illustration course at Swansea College of Art UWTSD will teach you real-world illustration skills and design sensibilities. It also provides knowledge and experience of the creative industries, helping you pursue a successful, sustainable career path. We encourage you to use both divergent and convergent thinking in your work, both independently and collaboratively, in a practice-based learning environment. This industry-focused course provides transferable skills and excellent employment prospects.
Entrepreneurial skills and enterprise are integrated into lectures and coursework to prepare you for industry. The course covers a range of industry-informed projects that tackle social, environmental, and political issues, addressing topics you will likely encounter professionally.
Links with business and industry are an essential ingredient to our programme and are maintained through ‘live’ projects, work placements, visiting professionals, and educational visits. These connections ensure our graduates are highly employable and well-prepared for work in the creative industries. Many of our graduates find success in freelance careers, while others secure jobs with design studios, publishing houses, advertising agencies, magazines, and newspapers. Some of our notable clients include Usborne Children’s Books, Moonpig, Lego, NHS Trust, Marks & Spencer, Tigerprint, The British Museum, and Lush cosmetics.
Throughout your creative journey, you will explore illustration practice using traditional and digital media. The course offers a dedicated studio space where you can experiment and refine your visual language. You will have opportunities to showcase your work in a final-year exhibition, giving you the experience needed to enter the professional world.
Our facilities are designed to support a broad range of materials and processes for both traditional and digital works. We have lively Illustration Studios, a Printmaking studio for Lino, Screenprint, Etching, and Collagraph, and a Letterpress studio with Adana letterpress machines and bookmaking equipment. We also offer Risograph Printing and a laser cutter. Our dedicated digital illustration suite includes iMacs, Wacom tablets, and Cintiq screens, equipped with key software packages such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects.
Our course aims to develop your professional practice through experimentation and exposure to both traditional and contemporary illustration techniques. You will work on children’s book illustration and other projects, developing skills that are vital for a successful career in illustration.
Course details
- Full-time
- On-campus
- English
- Bilingual
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Philosophy
Our teaching philosophy offers students the freedom to choose how they want to develop their illustration practice—whether through traditional methods, digital techniques, or a blend of both. We support and inspire groups that are large enough to generate collective energy, yet small enough to ensure individual tuition and personal attention fostering individual creativity within a supportive, practice-based learning environment.
Our project-led learning style is complemented by skills-based workshops that enhance both technical ability and creative enquiry. We aim to develop entrepreneurial skills and a professional practice that prepares you for a successful career in the creative industries.
In the first year, you will build a foundation in illustration practice. You’ll explore traditional and digital media, developing skills in drawing, printmaking, and digital illustration. You will study modules that cover topics such as image-making, visual studies, and editorial illustration. Emphasis is placed on understanding and using visual language to tackle various industry-informed projects.
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
The second year focuses on refining your illustration practice through experimentation with different techniques and media. You will engage in practice-based learning, working on projects that address social, environmental, and political issues. Entrepreneurial skills are developed through lectures and coursework helping you build your personal brand.
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
In the final year, you will work on advanced projects, culminating in a final-year exhibition and graduate show. This year emphasizes independent professional practice, allowing you to specialise in your chosen area. You’ll complete an independent project and develop a graduate portfolio in preparation for employment in the creative industries.
(20 credits)
(40 credits)
(60 credits)
Course Page Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Facilities & Exhibitions
Facilities & Exhibitions
The Illustration department is fully equipped to explore a broad range of materials and processes for both traditional and digital works.
Our Summer Shows are a showcase of the exceptional work of our graduating students across a wide range of creative disciplines.
Meet our Students
News
News
Further information
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120 UCAS tariff points 
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e.g. A-levels: ABB, BTEC: DDM, IB: 33 and Portfolio
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work.
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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Alternative entry routes text
If this course interests you, but you don’t have the entry requirements to join our bachelor’s degree you could consider: 
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Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE).
This is a one-year course offering a comprehensive introduction to art and design, establishing a strong basis for your creative future. During the course, you will engage with a broad range of artistic disciplines and design areas, helping you to discover your passions and refine your skills.
Admissions Advice and Support 
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. 
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Interview
All applicants to Swansea College of Art are required to have an interview.
We really enjoy the interview process, getting to know you and your work, and we feel that this is the best way to find the right students for our programmes. This also ensures that our applicants have all the information they need to make the right choice for them too.
If you have any queries before your interview, please contact us at artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk.
Portfolio
We ask that you bring a portfolio of some past and current work. Your portfolio is a collection of your most exciting and representative work, showcasing your creative abilities, technical skills, and artistic vision. It tells the story of your creative journey, highlighting your unique style, interests, and ideas as they develop. We interpret the term ‘portfolio’ broadly and are happy for you to do the same - this can include finished pieces, work in progress, sketchbooks, drawings, and projects that are still unfolding, as these give us insight into your thinking and creative process. Whether in physical or digital format, your portfolio is an opportunity to showcase your creative journey in a way that feels authentic to you, with each piece highlighting your creative potential and enthusiasm for the programme you are applying for.
We understand that many applicants are still mid-qualification (e.g. A-Level, BTEC, L3, Foundation) and are developing an emerging body of work, so there’s no pressure for everything to be polished or complete.
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At the beginning of each module, we issue the ‘Assessment Specification’, which clearly describes in each assessment criteria what is required.
Weekly feedback sessions keep students focussed on the requirements, without hindering the freedom to work with expanding ideas.
Technical tuition is typically delivered via a demonstration lecture and then staff help each student individually as they progress though a challenge.
All modules have formative and summative feedback, both written and verbal. When the summative written feedback is released, students can book-in for ‘one to one’ tutorial to discuss their feedback further.
There are no written exams for this course.
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All additional costs detailed in this section are indicative. It is recognised, for example, that the precise costs associated with a field trip could vary from year to year.
Mandatory
- Adobe Suite student rate: £120 a year, but currently free in cluster from UWTSD.
Necessarily Incurred
- A3 Portfolio: £20
- Collection of tools — scalpel, metal rule, plastic sleeves, hard drive, memory stick, pens, pencils, markers: £70
- Illustration art supplies: £100
- ²Ñ²¹³¦µþ´Ç´Ç°ì:&²Ô²ú²õ±è;£1500
- Printing costs: £200
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Optional
- Student Trips: £200 to £500.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Visit Go Global With UWTSD to learn more about opportunities to study abroad.
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Many graduates forge successful freelance careers working with a range of clients internationally; some are represented by top London Illustration agencies.
Other graduates find employment with design studios, publishing houses, advertising agencies, magazines and newspapers. A selection of clients includes:
- Usborne Children’s Books
- Moonpig
- Lego
- NHS Trust
- Allihoper Greeting Cards
- Marks & Spencer
- The Great British Card Company
- Tigerprint, Bright Agency
- Graffeg Publishers
- Tokyo DisneySea Park
- Welsh Country Magazine
- Bay Studios
- The British Museum
- Magic Leap Inc. Visible Art
- Lush Cosmetics
- The Print Haus
- Astra Games
- Locksmith Animation.
The programme also provides a good foundation for those who want to pursue a career in teaching, particularly teaching art and design in schools and, after professional experience, teaching illustration and design in further and higher education.