Birmingham City University
Illustration
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom · UCAS W220
Level
Bachelor
Duration
3 years
Campus
Parkside Building
Intl. Tuition
£19,220 (2027-28)
Home Tuition
£10,050 (2027-28)
Intake
September 2027
UCAS code
W220
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Course Overview
Illustration at Birmingham City University in Birmingham, 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)
Birmingham offers a solid and affordable UK student lifestyle — a good mix of pubs, cafés, local culture and student events. A welcoming community with everything a student needs close to campus.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
31,875
Staff Ratio
19.0:1
International
16.0%
Career Prospects
Employment Rate
71.0%
of graduates employed
Avg Starting Salary
£26,070
First-year earnings
Placement Year
✓ Available
Work experience option
Costs & Living
City & Location
Major metropolitan (>1m 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
- Visual communication
- Arts
- Creative arts
- Art
- Printmaking
- Graphic arts
- Illustration
- Technical illustration
- Calligraphy
- Signwork
- Drawing
- Life drawing
- 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
31,875
Total students
Staff Ratio
19:1
Students per staff
International Students
16%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Cool temperate
Safety Index (indicative)
6.8/10
Transport
Moderate (coach or indirect connections)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Academic / intellectual | Professional / career networks
Student Life & City (indicative)
Birmingham offers a solid and affordable UK student lifestyle — a good mix of pubs, cafés, local culture and student events. A welcoming community with everything a student needs close to campus.
- Birmingham offers a solid and affordable UK student lifestyle — a good mix of pubs, cafés, local culture and student events.
- A welcoming community with everything a student needs close to campus.
What Students Love
- Diverse international food scene
- Active pub & club scene
- Rich arts & cultural scene
- Major shopping & retail hub
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Graduate Employment
71%
Employed after graduation
Avg Starting Salary
£26,070
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✓ Available
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
- Media
- Business
- Healthcare
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Total Programme Cost
£57,660
For full 3 years
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 $1,500/month budget (housing $870, food $320, transport $100) 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 $1,500/month budget (housing $870, food $320, transport $100) 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.