Arts University Plymouth
Illustration
Plymouth, England, United Kingdom · UCAS W220
Level
Bachelor
Duration
4 years
Campus
Main Site
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Home Tuition
£10,050 (regulated maximum, 2027-28)
Intake
September 2027
UCAS code
W220
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Course Overview
Illustration at Arts University Plymouth in Plymouth, England, United Kingdom is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Illustration and animation graduates work in advertising, children's publishing, film and TV production, video games and digital media. Freelance and studio careers are common, with a strong portfolio the key entry credential.
Student life (indicative)
Plymouth combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access. The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
1,610
Staff Ratio
19.0:1
International
4.0%
Career Prospects
Employment Rate
60.0%
of graduates employed
Avg Starting Salary
£26,070
First-year earnings
Costs & Living
City & Location
Small city (50k-199k inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Illustration
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Illustration topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Illustration
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Printing
- Reprographics
- Graphic communication
- Typography
- Bookbinding
- Lithography
- Print estimating
- Communication skills
- Publishing
- Desktop publishing
- Commercial Photography
- Business communication
- Visual communication
- Civic design
- Decorative art
- Modelmaking
- Arts
- Graphic design
- Exhibition design
- Packaging design
- Editorial design
- Design history
- Surface pattern design
- Media design
- Display design
- Design theory
- Creative arts
- Art
- Printmaking
- Screen printing
- Modern art
- Graphic arts
- Animation
- Illustration
- Technical illustration
- Calligraphy
- Signwriting
- Art theory
- Drawing
- Life drawing
- Art history
- Community arts
- Visual arts
Source: UCAS course listing, 2027 entry (retrieved September 2026). Always confirm the current requirements with the university.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
1,610
Total students
Staff Ratio
19:1
Students per staff
International Students
4%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Small city (50k-199k inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Mild coastal
Safety Index (indicative)
8.0/10
Transport
Moderate (coach or indirect connections)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle | Creative arts scene
Student Life & City (indicative)
Plymouth combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access. The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
- Plymouth combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access.
- The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
What Students Love
- Beach lifestyle
- Outdoor & nature activities
- Active pub & club scene
- Historic city & heritage
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Graduate Employment
60%
Employed after graduation
Avg Starting Salary
£26,070
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✗ Not offered
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Illustration and animation graduates work in advertising, children's publishing, film and TV production, video games and digital media. Freelance and studio careers are common, with a strong portfolio the key entry credential.
- Illustration and animation graduates work in advertising, children's publishing, film and TV production, video games and digital media.
- Freelance and studio careers are common, with a strong portfolio the key entry credential.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Business
- Healthcare
- Education
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
MEDIUM
This location has moderate living costs. Standard student budget recommended.
Estimated Annual Costs
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Cost Overview (indicative)
One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,345/month budget (housing $780, food $295, transport $80) covers everything comfortably. A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.
- One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,345/month budget (housing $780, food $295, transport $80) covers everything comfortably.
- A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.
Contains HESA data (Discover Uni), licensed under CC BY 4.0.