BA (Hons) Illustration at Leeds Arts University

Programme overview

Join us on a creative journey that explores communication, image-making and conceptual thinking. You will develop your understanding of how images are made and how they function. You will find your niche as an innovative illustrator while gaining the professional skills, resilience and sustainability needed to meet the demands of the creative industries.

Duration: 3 years full-time / 4 years with placement year | Study mode: full-time (optional placement/sandwich year) | Intake: September | Location: Leeds, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year one: Explore a range of approaches to the communication of ideas through image-making, with an emphasis on experimentation and reflection. Year two: You’ll further explore a range of approaches to communicating ideas, concepts and messages through processes and visual language. Year three: You will focus on your professional ambitions and further develop the business-related skills required for becoming a professional creative.

Career pathways

Graduates can work as freelancers, employed illustrators or as part of a creative collective/studio. Careers include illustration for commercial, alternative and children’s publishing, editorial, site-specific works, advertising, entertainment, packaging, product and retail.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer 104-120 UCAS tariff points from any combination of A Levels/T Level/Extended Diploma/Foundation Diploma (expected subjects depend on the course); GCSE English Language or Literature at grade 4/C or above, or English Functional Skills Level 2 Pass. International: A-levels 104-120 UCAS points including an art/design-related subject; IB Diploma 26 points; European Baccalaureate 70%; BTEC Extended Diploma DMM; BTEC Diploma DD; UAL Extended Diploma Merit; UAL Foundation Diploma Distinction; IELTS 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5; one reference. Applicants may be assessed through personal statement, predicted grades, reference, examples of work and digital audition or interview. Course requirement: Portfolio of 10-15 examples showing approaches to drawing and image making, sketchbook/development pages and visual communication of ideas.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Home fee per year for years one to three; optional placement year charged at 20% of the annual tuition fee; rises to £10,050 in 2027/28. Home students who already hold a degree pay £10,540 in 2026/27. Source

International applicants: GBP 18,600 a year (2026/27). BA/BSc (Hons) international fee per year; optional placement year charged at 20% of the annual tuition fee; increases by inflation in later years. Source

Intake: September

Duration: 3 years full-time / 4 years with placement year

Apply through the official page: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply-undergraduate

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