Illustration is everywhere: in newspaper and magazine articles, advertisements and books, on products and on screen. It tells stories and reinforces messages. It makes complex ideas easy to understand and is a major part of our childhood. It makes us laugh, it makes us cry, and it makes us think.
During this Illustration degree, you’ll push boundaries, challenge convention, and harness new technology to solve illustration briefs, projects and design problems. The core principles of drawing are applied throughout. You’ll develop key skills in creative thinking, translating a brief, drawing and mark making, and colour theory.
To prepare for today’s increasingly fluid platforms of print, mobile and interactive image, you’ll communicate ideas in innovative ways using traditional and digital technologies.
Throughout your time on the Illustration course in Cardiff, you’ll have numerous opportunities to engage with creative professionals and clients. This may be in the form of an industry visit, guest speaker, or live brief.
USW Illustration students have previously collaborated with The Royal Horticultural Society, Anorak Magazine, Women's Equality Network Wales, The Roald Dahl Estate, Welsh National Opera and Kiehl's. Follow USW Illustration on Instagram
The entry criteria below shows the qualification range within which the University will make offers. Most offers we make are at the top of the range, but we take all aspects of an application into consideration and applicants receive a personalised offer. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable.
Interview
An interview and portfolio are required for this Illustration course. Your portfolio should demonstrate strong artistic and design abilities.
Your portfolio should be a carefully constructed selection of your work, preferably produced during your most recent course of study, and can include any personal work or projects that you feel are relevant to the course. All work should be well organised and presented.
You should be prepared to discuss your work and the designers, animators and/or artists who have influenced you. All work should be well organised and presented. Here are some interview tips for our Illustration course.
Typical A-Level Offer
BCC - CDD to include a relevant art and design subject (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Welsh BACC Offer
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level with a relevant art and design subject (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical BTEC Offer
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass in a relevant subject (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical IB Offer
Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including 5 or above in English at standard level
Typical Access to HE Offer
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points
Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances
International Entry Requirements
In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.
English Requirements
We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.