Undergraduate

BA(Hons) Illustration

  • Duration

    3 years

  • Cost

    £9,275 p.a.

  • Course code

    W220

  • Institution code

    H18

Coffee shop scene illustration

Throughout our lives, illustration helps us all make sense of a complicated world. It is a communication tool that transcends language and culture, entertains and educates. 

Overview


As an illustrator, you will be called on to create imaginary but believable worlds, as the visual stimulus for entertainment, education or persuasion. These worlds can be brought to life on anything from the printed page to the digital screen, including diverse and unexpected places within the urban landscape through advertising, murals or other installations. 

Over the three years on this course, you will explore both traditional and high-tech approaches to image making and visual communication. We will support you to develop core skills in drawing and print, and provide you with the opportunity to apply those skills in a variety of contexts. 

You will be encouraged and supported to develop a unique visual language and personal style, before applying it to a range of outcomes, such as: graphic novels, picture books, zines and small press publications, maps, prints and more.  Throughout the course, we will work with you to develop a portfolio that fully represents your skills as an artist, to prepare you for the next step as a creative professional.

What our students do...

Meet the team

Take part in CMYK Festival


There will also be opportunities to exhibit and sell your work over the duration of your studies, including one of the highlights of our year - CMYK Festival of Illustration and Print - where high profile international illustrators, academic staff and students alike come together to celebrate their shared love of illustration, with talks, workshops, market stalls and more. 

Facts and figures

92.05

In the 2023/2024 NSS Survey HCA students rated the teaching on their course at 92.05. This is significantly higher than the sector average and something we aim to continuously improve on. 

2024 NSS

Applying to HCA

  • Minimum age 18. 
  • UCAS Points: Applicants applying for September 2025 entry and beyond, should have achieved 96 – 112 UCAS Tariff Points or more. However, whilst qualifications are important, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We may make offers based on other evidence of talent and suitability for the course – for more details about UCAS Tariffs tariff explanation and advice on the UCAS website. We expect all applicants to have examples of their current creative work available for submission on request.  
  • Mature students: Applications from mature students with relevant experience will also be considered. 

If you are unsure or have any questions, please contact us at registry@hca.ac.uk and we can offer further advice on HCA and the UWTSD awarding body requirements. 

More information

Your degree

All undergraduate degrees at HCA are validated by University of Wales Trinity St David.

79%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Illustration (Full time) at Hereford College of Arts, over two years

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

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How to apply

Everything you need to know about applying to HCA - and starting the next stage of your journey as an artist

Apply now

Book an open day

Chat to students. Tour the campus. Drop in on some free workshops. Our Open Days are a great way to get a feel for what makes HCA special.

Book an open day

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