Illustration degrees at UCA

If your dream is to tell stories and convey messages through illustration, our undergraduate and master's degree courses can help you master the skills you need.

Whether you're interested in reportage illustration, manga, fashion illustration, illustrating children's books or developing complementary animation skills, our courses will encourage you to explore a wide range of styles and mediums as you develop your own unique voice.

Because our programmes are relatively small and many of our staff are also practising illustrators, they're able to bring valuable industry contacts into the classroom.

You'll also benefit from extensive facilities including stop-motion, printmaking and book production studios, Mac suites equipped with Adobe Illustrator and all the latest design and editing software, 3D printing, laser cutting, textiles, metal and woodworking workshops, photography and video studios.

 

Illustration at UCA

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Study Illustration at UCA

Find out more about studying an Illustration degree at UCA.

Student smiling, leaning on a wall mural

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Brooke

Course: Illustration MA

Hear from graduate Brooke about studying a postgraduate course at UCA

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Illustration Portfolio Advice

Senior Lecturer, Serena Katt, gives some portfolio advice for UCA's Illustration courses.

View our illustration portfolio guides

Undergraduate Illustration degrees

Postgraduate Illustration degrees

Students working on a film project in the virtual production suite

Clearing is open

Call our Clearing hotline on 01252 918240 to begin your application.

You can also complete our online application form or use our instant offer checker to see if you meet the requirements.

Apply online Instant offer checker

Open Days at UCA

We know that Open Days play a big role in helping you decide which university is right for you. Booking is now open for our on-campus Open Days.

Book your Open Day Launch the Virtual Tour
Wei Qi Tan, BA (Hons) Illustration, UCA Farnham

University guides for illustration students


How to make a perfect Illustration portfolio for university How to write a great UCAS personal statement for an Illustration degree What careers can you do with an Illustration degree? Can I apply for a Illustration degree through Clearing?

Explore our student work

Each year, we’re privileged to be able to share our graduates’ incredible work with the world. And now’s your chance to take a look.

 

Two minute stories


Discover the stories of our Illustration students
Margaux Carpentier
Margaux Carpentier
Colouring campus
Michael Tilley talking about his graphic design degree
Michael Tilley
Turning graphic talent into blackboard business
Lucy Munt portrait with added colourful graphics
Lucy Munt
Tackling the complexities of grief
Image shows illustration student Xuan Liu lying on a picnic blanket and partially obscuring her face with a book
Xuan Liu
Creating a comic that sheds light on Tourette’s
An image of Bri Chartrand in front of her work
Bri Chartrand
Giving Zizzi a mural makeover

Upcoming webinars


Course & subject webinars


There's no upcoming webinars. Please check back again soon.


Student experience webinars


4 Sep 2026

PgCert Creative Education Online Information Session

Join us for an online introduction to UCA’s Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Education, designed for people who teach or support learning within adult creative education. Book now: PgCert Creative Education Online Information Session

8 Sep 2026

UCA Live: International Student Pre-Departure Session

Are you getting ready to start your studies in the UK? Before you arrive at UCA, there are a few important things to prepare, and we're here to help you every step of the way. Book now: UCA Live: International Student Pre-Departure Session

9 Sep 2026

Enrolment and Your First Week at UCA

Are you ready to join our creative community? Before you join UCA, you’ll need to complete online enrolment and have everything ready for your first day. We’re here to talk through everything you need to know.  Book now: Enrolment and Your First Week at UCA

16 Sep 2026

Postgraduate Opportunities – A focus on Masters & PhDs

At UCA, we offer a range of creative postgraduate opportunities that we’ll discuss during this webinar. Join us to learn more about our postgraduate courses and the application process.  Book now: Postgraduate Opportunities – A focus on Masters & PhDs

23 Sep 2026

Supporting Students at University - Information for Parents & Guardians

Is your child thinking about applying to university? Are you unsure of how to support them through this important application? We’re here to help you and your child navigate through the UCAS application process.   Book now: Supporting Students at University - Information for Parents & Guardians

30 Sep 2026

Creative Careers & Life After University

If you’re interested in working in the creative industries, then this webinar is a great place to start and find out why a creative degree is the perfect first step to turn your dreams into a reality.   Book now: Creative Careers & Life After University

21 Oct 2026

Making an Outstanding Portfolio & Applicant Day Advice

We know that creating an outstanding portfolio can be difficult when you’re not sure where to start, so we’re here to get you started with our top tips on what to include and how to submit it.   Book now: Making an Outstanding Portfolio & Applicant Day Advice

18 Nov 2026

How to write a personal statement for a creative degree

Join us for an engaging online webinar that provides you with the latest insights, expert knowledge, and a unique opportunity to interact directly with our panel of experts! Book now: How to write a personal statement for a creative degree

9 Dec 2026

Supporting Students at University - Information for Parents & Guardians

Is your child thinking about applying to university? Are you unsure of how to support them through this important application? We’re here to help you and your child navigate through the UCAS application process.   Book now: Supporting Students at University - Information for Parents & Guardians

20 Jan 2027

Making an Outstanding Portfolio & Applicant Day Advice

We know that creating an outstanding portfolio can be difficult when you’re not sure where to start, so we’re here to get you started with our top tips on what to include and how to submit it.   Book now: Making an Outstanding Portfolio & Applicant Day Advice

There's no upcoming webinars. Please check back again soon.

Illustration studios, UCA Farnham

What’s it like being a student at UCA?

That’s a big question. Get some answers from people who are studying right here, right now.

Chat to a student

Careers in Illustration

Wondering what jobs you can do with a degree in illustration?

There's a huge range, with the graphic design, illustration and animation sector employing around 1.7 million people in the UK. Our courses will prepare you for careers in fields such as:

  • Book and editorial illustration
  • Art direction
  • Web and broadcast design
  • Printmaking
  • Animation
  • Editing
  • Filmmaking
  • Design
  • Production and post-production
  • Project management
  • Digital media
  • Public Arts
  • Curation
  • Research
  • Artistic practice
  • Digital imaging
  • Web authoring
  • Multi-media production
  • Education
A picture of Illustration student Promise Oladimeji, who is smiling

What our Illustration students say

"Recently, as I was clearing my heinously jam-packed camera roll of uni pictures I didn’t need anymore, I came across some of the art I’d made at the beginning of my course in 2021. After I was done grimacing at my lack of technical skills, I could only marvel at how far my art has come since then, and how my personal style has really developed."

Read Promise's story Chat to UCA students

Illustration news


Explore the latest news from this subject area.
View all news View all blogs
Still from 'How to Pass as a Human' by Duoduo Wang
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06 Aug 2026

UCA trio secures place on World Illustration Awards shortlist
Yitong Li, BA (Hons) Illustration, UCA Farnham
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13 Feb 2026

What careers can you do with an Illustration degree?
Lie Louie, Corolla Art Competition student winner.
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07 Jan 2026

Toyota reveals Corolla Art Competition student winner
Rebecca Meakin, the winning Christmas window design. Make It Sparkle Christmas Window Scheme
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08 Dec 2025

Make It Sparkle Christmas window scheme names UCA student the winner
Yitong Li, BA (Hons) Illustration, UCA Farnham
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21 Aug 2025

How to write a great UCAS personal statement for an Illustration degree
Mural designed by UCA MA Illustration stuents for Shooting Star Children's Hsopice in Guildford
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15 Aug 2025

Art from the heart: mural brings communities together
Mary Baker, BA (Hons) Illustration, UCA Farnham
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26 Jul 2025

How to make a perfect illustration portfolio for university

Aman Kumar, Archicture BA (Hons)
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17 Jun 2025

The stories behind the art: exploring UCA’s online graduate showcase

Explore UCA


With access to specialised equipment, studio spaces, and the latest technology, our campuses  are dynamic and exciting environments in which to experiment and innovate. Find out more about studying at UCA.

All undergraduate degrees How to apply Open Days Student life Fees and funding Accommodation International students Virtual tours Order a prospectus

Illustration Clearing courses

It's not too late to apply to study Illustration at UCA this September.

Illustration Clearing information Apply now

Start your application