Bachelor of Arts (Hons)

ILLUSTRATION (TOP-UP)

Buckinghamshire New University's course reflects the realities of working as a professional in the industry. Everything you do on the course is working towards you getting your first job in the sector. If you have completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject, you can choose to top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree.

If you have a keen eye for Imagery and Art Direction, BNU's BA (Hons) Illustration could be for you. Experiment with different artistic techniques, formats and develop your own personal style and discover how your creations work hand-in-hand with storytelling.



Why study this subject?

See the world differently and bring your visual ideas to life for those around you. As an illustrator, you have the opportunity to create and design visual imagery for everything from publishing to advertising campaigns.

Whether you end up in a studio, working as a freelance visual-artist or following one of the other many routes illustration offers, you can be sure that your designs and creations can help convey a message to consumers and artistically inspire the next generation of image makers.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

If you have completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject, you can choose to top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree.

A top-up degree is the equivalent of the final year of an undergraduate degree, and offers a chance to deepen your knowledge, skills and understanding of your subject, while also getting an internationally-recognised qualification.

With a history of delivery expert craft, art and design education for more than 130 years, Buckinghamshire New University is the perfect place to start your creative career.

Led by BNU's dedicated and supportive course team, you will have the freedom to explore all areas of Illustration, whether that’s digital such as vector art or traditional methods such as printmaking. You’ll work on a diverse range of creative projects written by the course team or self-written as well as external competition and industry briefs.

During your time at Buckinghamshire New University, you’ll get direct access to guest lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking chances. As well as this they equip you with really important skills in preparing you for a successful career through lectures, seminars workshops as part of our Professional Studies and Professional Practice modules.

As well as this you’ll have access to a range of our facilities to help you bring your visions to life. This includes Adobe Creative Suite programmes and a range of hands-on methods, from silkscreen and letterpress to laser cutting and 3D printing technology.

London is only a short journey away, so you can easily visit some of the world’s best exhibitions, galleries and museums for inspiration and research.

How will you be taught and assessed?

You’ll work alongside a diverse community of illustrators, each working on their own projects, just as a ‘real-world’ design studio would function. You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you make friends for life, you’ll also make important connections that will last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in any design group.

To achieve the full BA (Hons) in Illustration you will need to complete a major project, a dissertation as well as undertake a Professional Practice module.

The major project and dissertation will allow you to investigate a topic important to you within graphic design. You will cover the whole research process, undertaking empirical investigation and analysis. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, who will offer support and advice.

The Professional Practice module gives you the opportunity to undertake work-based learning or answer live industry briefs, gaining the practical and transferable skills you need for your career in the creative industries