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MA Illustration (Online)

Why choose Herts?

  • Teaching Excellence: You will be taught by highly experienced academics all of whom are practicing illustrators.
  • Employment Prospects: Graduates work for publishing, design, and creative agencies as well as international organisations.
  • Industry-Related Learning: Previous students have gained experience following briefs from organisations.
  • Entry requirements and key information

    The normal entry requirements for the programme are:

    • an undergraduate degree in the classification of 2:2 or above is mandatory. In exceptional circumstances, students may be taken onto the programme with alternative qualifications and experience
    • all applicants are required to submit a portfolio in support of their application. This visual portfolio that must contain a selection of images of finished designs, images of sketchbook work and images that shows the design development process and research in the area of intended study
    • all international students are required to demonstrate suitable levels of English language competence. This can be through previous study in English, but we often require specific performance in English tests. All undergraduates must be able to prove a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in every component or equivalent.

    The portfolio must be clearly annotated with an indication of media and size of the works and ideally should relate to the area of intended study, e.g. if the applicant intends to study Graphics at MA, there should be evidence of knowledge of Graphics in the visual and annotated evidence of the portfolio and proposal. Applicants who are applying to study for MA in an area in which they have no prior experience will be carefully considered and are the exception, as the MA is intended to build on a skill base already established.

    Once the application has been received, the applicant may be invited for interview to ensure that their aspirations can be met by the course. International students will submit a portfolio electronically and a telephone or skype interview is arranged where necessary.

    Supporting documents required

    • a link to your online portfolio containing about 10 projects with annotations (see portfolio requirements)
    • a substantial personal statement about why you want to study this programme, what you hope to gain from the course and where you see your future development taking you (career or creative practice).  Please refer to practitioners who inspire you and the kind of practice that you hope to focus on during your studies
    • copies of the front and back of your undergraduate degree transcript and certificate
    • curriculum vitae
    • English Language qualification certificate (you should have a score of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band if presenting an IELTS test)
    • a copy of the photo page of your passport
    • two academic or professional references.

    Find out more about international entry requirements

    See what system requirements are needed for online study

    View our simple steps to a successful application (PDF - 0.17 Mb)

    Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Creative Arts

    Course length
  • Online - Part Time, 2 Years

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
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  • Employability

    Careers

    This course prepares you for many diverse opportunities as an illustrator. We will examine how illustration, using traditional and digital media, is an important adjunct to communication. Whether as a freelance illustrator or as a part of a team, illustrators are uniquely placed to construct their own place in the creative economy. The course is designed to help you understand and work within the contemporary industrial environment and particular attention is given to helping you acquire entrepreneurial skills. The research skills students gain open up further job prospects. Many graduates of the course are now successful professional illustrators

About the course

Foster your creativity and enhance your employment opportunities by joining MA Illustration. The aim of this postgraduate programme is to equip you with the skills, knowledge and understanding required to practice at an advanced level. There is a strong emphasis on professional practice and the real-world applications of art and design. You'll develop key research skills and gain a good understanding of the work of other practitioners in your field. 

Senior research staff and internationally renowned practitioners work with postgraduate students, helping you to develop original and challenging work. Our staff are experienced in research and professional practice, and you'll also benefit from contributions from visiting designers and professionals, as well as from involvement with our international exhibitions programme. 

Every step of the way, you'll develop your imaginative, creative and technical potential as an illustrator. We'll invite you to examine a range of media in the field of illustration. For example, the role of image-making in new and traditional media, and illustration's relationships with fine art and digital media.

We'll give you an opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and skills in the use of narrative storytelling. You'll discover its relationship to illustration, as well as illustrative conventions in children's and adult literature, comics and other media. We'll encourage you to develop the entrepreneurial and commercial skills you'll need to develop your work to its full potential. You'll gain the practical and intellectual skills to thrive as a practicing artist. By working alongside artists and designers on other postgraduate courses you'll explore the possibilities for the illustrator today, questioning conventions and refining the direction of your practice.

By studying the MA Illustration (online) or Graphic Design (online), you can fit studies around work and life commitments. Find out more about online distance learning. 

Why choose this course?

  • You want to develop your professional skills as an illustrator
  • You're excited to work with design professionals of international standing
  • You're looking forward to working in professional and industrial contexts
  • You want to gain research skills that are vital for industry success
  • You want to study entirely via distance learning.

What will I study?

This course is designed to help you develop your practice and give you the skills recovery to further your career in industry both in the UK and abroad. The course includes practice based modules where you will explore and develop your work as an illustrator. It also contains course or research skills, entrepreneurialism and professional practice. The final part of the course enables you to complete a major project.

Content is delivered entirely online, through video lectures, online presentations, text and image resources, Skype tutorials and email. Students have one-to-one support from the course leader and from a specialist tutor. Students share their work with their peers in online galleries, where they can receive critique from staff and students. There is no requirement to attend lectures on campus, and coursework is submitted electronically via our Virtual Learning Environment, Studynet.

Course length

  • Part-time, 2 years
  • Level 7
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    Research and Enquiry (Online) 15 Credits Compulsory
    Creative Economies (Online) 15 Credits Compulsory
    Discourse and Reflection (Online) 30 Credits Compulsory
    Practice 1: Art and Design (Online) 30 Credits Compulsory
    Practice 2: Art and Design (Online) 30 Credits Compulsory
    Major Study: Illustration (Online) 60 Credits Compulsory

    • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MA Illustration (Online) Download
    Programme specifications
    MA Art and Design (Illustration) - Online Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

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