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Melbourne Polytechnic

Bachelor of Illustration

Preston, Victoria, Australia

  • Level

    Bachelor

  • Duration

    3.0F/P

  • Campus

    Fairfield (VIC)

  • Intl. Tuition

    Fee not confirmed

  • Intake

    TBD

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Course Overview

Bachelor of Illustration at Melbourne Polytechnic in Preston, Victoria, Australia 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)

Preston offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle. Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.

The University at a Glance

Staff Ratio

18.0:1

Career Prospects

Avg Starting Salary

£33,970

First-year earnings

Costs & Living

Intl. Tuition

Fee not confirmed

Check the university's official fee page

City & Location

Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)

Course Curriculum

Year 1

  • Foundations of Bachelor of Illustration
  • Academic and Research Skills
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Introduction to Theory and Practice
  • Optional language or breadth module.

Year 2

  • Intermediate Bachelor of Illustration topics
  • Applied Methods and Tools
  • Group Project
  • Two optional pathway modules
  • Career and Industry Insights.

Year 3

  • Advanced Bachelor of Illustration
  • Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
  • Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
  • Employability and Professional Development.

Entry Requirements

Subjects

  • Current Year 12 graduates Interview Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Recent Year 12 graduates Interview Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Applicants with Higher Education study Interview Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Applicants with VET study Interview Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Applicants with work and life experience Interview Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807. | Year 12 prerequisites Units 3 and 4: satisfactory completion of any English. | Current Year 12 graduates Educational outcomes considered for selection Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the equivalent in your state or territory, or successful completion of the International Baccalaureate.
  • Folio and folio presentation Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and must present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Recent Year 12 graduates Educational outcomes considered for selection Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the equivalent in your state or territory, or successful completion of the International Baccalaureate.
  • Folio and folio presentation Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and must present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Applicants with Higher Education study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
  • VTAC Personal Statement Applicants must complete a VTAC Personal Statement and outline any relevant industry experience, qualifications and other proof of ability to successfully complete the course.
  • Folio and folio presentation Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and must present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Applicants who do not meet prerequisites Applicants who have commenced or have successfully completed a higher education qualification will be considered for admission based on satisfactorily meeting the interview requirements.
  • Applicants with VET study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
  • VTAC Personal Statement Applicants must complete a VTAC Personal Statement and outline any relevant industry experience, qualifications and other proof of ability to successfully complete the course.
  • Folio and folio presentation Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and must present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Applicants who do not meet prerequisites Applicants who have successfully completed a minimum Certificate IV level qualification will be considered for admission.
  • Applicants with work and life experience Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
  • VTAC Personal Statement Applicants must complete a VTAC Personal Statement and outline any relevant industry experience, qualifications and other proof of ability to successfully complete the course.
  • Folio and folio presentation Applicants are encouraged and may be required to attend an interview and must present a folio of artwork.
  • Bookings can be made through the online booking system directly after your VTAC application or telephone (03) 9269 8807.
  • The booking system will be available throughout the application and change of preference periods.
  • Late applications should contact (03) 9269 8807.
  • Applicants who do not meet prerequisites Applicants who have relevant creative arts industry, life experience or recognised and appropriate prior learning will be considered for admission based on satisfactorily meeting the interview requirements.

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

Staff Ratio

18:1

Students per staff

Campus at a Glance

City Size

Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)

Climate (indicative)

Mild coastal

Safety Index (indicative)

8.0/10

Transport

Good (close to station or regional airport)

Social Scene

Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle | Academic / intellectual | Professional / career networks

Student Life & City (indicative)

Preston offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle. Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.

  • Preston offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle.
  • Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.

What Students Love

  • Outdoor & nature activities
  • Great café culture
  • Thriving student social scene
  • Beach lifestyle

University Stats

Student-to-Staff Ratio18:1
Safety Index (indicative)8.0/10

Career & Outcomes

Avg Starting Salary

£33,970

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

  • Healthcare
  • Business
  • Education

Study Abroad Opportunities

Y

  • Y

Costs & Living Expenses

Intl. Tuition

Fee not confirmed

Check the university's official fee page

Overall Cost of Living (indicative)

HIGH

This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.

Monthly Student Budget (indicative)

Housing£821/mo
Food & Groceries£331/mo
Transport£86/mo
Estimated Monthly Total£1,429
Annual living costs£17,158/yr

Cost Overview (indicative)

Like most major Australian cities, Preston carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110). A comfortable lifestyle at costs below Australia's major east-coast cities.

  • Like most major Australian cities, Preston carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110).
  • A comfortable lifestyle at costs below Australia's major east-coast cities.