Develop your unique authorial voice on this studio-based MA Illustration course. You’ll learn to see your work as an evolving practice, as you challenge and re-evaluate your personal visual language with the help of experienced practitioners.

At the heart of this course is an examination of authorship and storytelling. Through hands-on workshops, you'll develop skills like screen-printing, creative writing and bookbinding, while working on longer-term projects in your choice of media. Taking an entrepreneurial approach, you'll develop your professional practice and consider outlets for your work.

You will:

• Join the only MA Illustration course with a specific academic focus on authorial practice
• Mount a professional presentation of work from your negotiated project
• Access professional facilities, including a print room and dedicated MA studio space
• Learn from high profile guest speakers and industry-savvy tutors
• Benefit from our close relationship with independent publisher Atlantic Press, with opportunities for placements and internships
• Study over one or two years

What our graduates do

Our graduates have harnessed their developed practice, enterprise and entrepreneurial skills to find success in a range of creative sectors including; publishing, reportage, e-learning, residencies, art collectives, film and theatre, self and independent publishing and education.

Alumni have produced work for the likes of MacMillan, Kingfisher, Polar Bear Music Prize, Fantagraphics, Blankslate and Editions Memo; offered art direction for Penguin and Little Brown; joined collectives such as We Colonised the Moon, Tara Books and Kekien Collective; taken up residencies with Women’s Studio Workshop, The Bauhaus Print Studio and The Full Dome (California); accepted teaching posts with universities, from Manchester to Tuluca; started independent publishers including Pirrip Press, Atlantic Press and Guillemot Press, and undertaken PhD’s.

What you'll learn

As the only course focused on authorial practice, we’ll cover every aspect of the profession. By researching, analysing and evolving your approach, and working with increasing independence, you’ll progress and grow as an experienced professional. On top of practical work, you’ll explore audience awareness and professional development by producing two analytical essays and delivering a presentation on subjects you find interesting.

We’ll help you get to grips with entrepreneurial approaches as you identify your audience and look into the channels and opportunities for your work. And by taking on various longer-term projects, you’ll have the chance to work on things like children's books, graphic novels, digital work and screen-based productions.

Your workshops will cover subjects like creative writing, composition, visual narrative, book design, and networking and entrepreneurship, while the Illustration Discourses lecture series looks into authorial positions, theories and contexts. At the end of the course you’ll put on a professional presentation of your work.

You’ll also learn from our relationship with a local publishing house. Offering insights and experience across the entire publishing process, from concept to finished product, you’ll gain expertise in printing, distribution and marketing. This is also where many of our students gain real-world experience through internships.

How you'll learn

The course takes place over three semesters, covering 45 or 90 weeks, depending on whether you choose to study one year full-time or two years part-time.

You’ll produce three practical projects based on personal work, supported by lectures, seminars, group critiques and workshops, as well as talks from industry professionals. You’ll also record and reflect on your studio work with a research journal.