York St John University · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Illustration Bachelor's degree at York St John University
BA (Hons) Illustration at York St John University. Working across both traditional and digital media, you'll learn to express narratives visually and build the practical foundation for professional illustration practice.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
87%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Immerse yourself in the world of illustration. Develop your ability to express narratives through images. Start your career as an illustrator. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Illustration is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Design, and creative and performing arts graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 54% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £23,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Art & Design, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.2
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong75
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent87
Moderate evidence Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 87% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Drawing PracticesCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module is your introduction to key conceptual, technical and material contexts that have informed drawing practices. Working with both traditional and digital tools you will develop your technical skills and apply them in your exploration of image creation. At the same time, you will begin assembling your portfolio of work and evaluate your emerging strengths through annotation, reflection and conversations with tutors and peers.
- Historical and Contemporary ContextsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module is your introduction to the historical, social, political and material contexts that have informed historical and contemporary creative practices. Your journey begins during the Renaissance, continuing onto the formation of Academies and the increasing dominance of painting. You will then learn how the radical transformation of art in the 19th and 20th century broke down the barriers of craft and high art.
- Illustration Practice and VoiceCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Develop your emerging voice as an illustrator and continue to build on your technical skills gained in semester one. Led by your emerging interests, you will begin to form your own visual language. You'll then consider how your work engages with different genres, audiences and forms of publishing, such as comics and zines. Throughout the module you'll document your processes, engage with peers and tutors, and use this as a tool to help you edit and develop your work further.
- Art, Illustration and Contemporary PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Artistic practice is presented in a variety of forms and contexts. You will explore the materials, technologies and cultural influences that have shaped the transformation of art, illustration and related practices. Topics you will cover in this exploration include equality, equity and diversity with a strong focus on how ethnicities, sexualities and abilities are represented within the subject.
Year 2 6 modules
- Collaborative Creative PracticeCompulsory30 credits
Module details
On this module you will build on the skills you learnt in your first year and start to make creative choices in line with your specific interests in the field of illustration. At the beginning of the module you will be presented with a project that asks you to collaborate with students who are studying different creative disciplines, such as Fine Art and Photography, to develop work for a specific audience. Collaboration is a key aspect of any creative and professional practice. You will reflect
- Aesthetics and Artistic IdentityCompulsory20 credits
Module details
As you develop your knowledge, ways of thinking and research skills, you will start to define your identity as a practitioner. You will develop your artistic practice through the philosophy of aesthetics and explore the ideas and concepts of thinkers such as: Hélène Cixous, Immanuel Kant, Edmund Burke, Martin Heidegger, Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Derrida. Through exploring both historical and modern ideas, you will learn to form judgements based on research as well as enhancing your practice led vo
- Professional Practice in the Creative SectorCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Apply your practice and work on live projects within the arts sector, and start to form professional relationships with external organisations and clients. You will focus on your individual ambitions and gain confidence in communication within professional creative sectors. Networking may also help you to gain other opportunities for independent work-related learning or through a short placement. You will review your practice to find out what transferable skills you have beyond your subject spec
- Specialisation in IllustrationCompulsory30 credits
Module details
This module will encourage you to refine your ideas and artistic interests which you have identified in other modules. Through this, you will continue to develop your specialism. You can choose whether to work with traditional techniques or digital software, whilst you also consider the audience and context for the work you create. By the end of this module, you will have developed your understanding of the realities of working in the illustration industry, started to build a professional networ
- Issues in Contemporary Creative PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will develop your knowledge, ways of thinking and research skills that will be vital in your third year. Throughout the module you'll engage with issues that impact the sector and learn how to situate your studio work in the diverse world of creative practice. Issue and topics you may cover include: The role of art and artists in the representation of mental health, The impact of the internet at its power to spread images and ideas, Contemporary culture and politics, Art in th
- Professional NetworksCompulsory10 credits
Module details
This module is your opportunity to work on live projects within the creative industries. You will form professional relationships with external organisations or individuals and lays the foundations for the Professional Futures module in your 3rd year. As part of your professional experience, you will develop and build your CV and web presence, creating meaningful networks with fellow artists. By the end of the module you will be expected to have developed and completed a live project with an ext
Year 3 4 modules
- Advanced Studio PracticeCompulsory30 credits
Module details
Through experimentation, critique and reflection you will find your personal voice as a practitioner on this module. This module requires you to develop your portfolio and exhibit your work in at least one public exhibition. Engagement in the curation, marketing and discussion of your piece is essential so that you can demonstrate the purpose of your work. You will also consider how you communicate to the public audience and test out ideas in preparation for your Degree Show module.
- DissertationCompulsory30 credits
Module details
Your Dissertation is a written analytical piece that will support your understanding of your studio practice. Your area of enquiry may come from fine art, illustration, photography, film, television, curating or arts education. You are encouraged to pursue a topic that is relevant to your work or career path, as this will help you to develop your degree show and life beyond graduation. The research process will also include a presentation of your work in progress. This will help you to develop c
- Degree ShowCompulsory40 credits
Module details
During this module you will develop your independent body of work and build on your strengths identified in the Advanced Studio module. You will learn how to place your work within the contemporary art world. This module is exhibition focused and you will have the opportunity to try out new ideas. By experimenting using practice-led research you will receive constructive feedback to help you develop toward your final major exhibition.
- Professional FuturesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Apply your skills, knowledge and experience to a professional direction and get ready for your graduate professional practice. During this module you will choose areas of interest to develop your knowledge to help you plan a future direction for your practice. Areas of development may include: Curatorial practice, Editorial practice, Publishing, Socially and politically engaged practice, Working in education, Entrepreneurial working, Teaching and assessment.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course immerses you in illustration and develops your ability to express narratives through images. A course like this typically moves from visual foundations in Year 1, colour, composition, form and materials across print, textiles and digital media, to sustained studio practice in Year 2, where you develop a personal direction and work on live client projects. In Year 3, you'll usually choose a specialist pathway in illustration or related areas such as graphic design, fine art, fashion and textiles, or UX and digital work. Throughout, you'll study contextual art and design history, professional practice, and culminate in a self-directed final project and degree show where your work is publicly exhibited.
Who it's for
You're drawn to visual storytelling and want to master the craft of illustration. You work well combining conceptual thinking with hands-on making, and you're keen to build a portfolio whilst studying theory that deepens your understanding of how images communicate meaning. This course will feel immersive, you'll spend considerable time in studio, experimenting with materials and techniques, while also developing the research skills and professional awareness you'll need to sustain a career in the creative industries.
University & format
This is a 3-year full-time Bachelor's degree (BA Hons) taught in English at York St John University, a University located at its Main Campus. The degree is recognised as a nationally recognised UK degree-awarding body. York St John University received a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
PlacementPublished placement option
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysExplore our Open Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists around 104 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: More than 240 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check York St John University's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 85% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*+A-level equivalent admitted students held
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask York St John University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Home£9,790 / yr
International£12,100 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at York St John University →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All York St John University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Art & Design graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £23,500 | £20,000 – £26,000 | 70 |
| 3 years after | £19,000 | £15,000 – £22,500 | 280 |
| 5 years after | £22,500 | £19,000 – £27,500 | 280 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
87%
in work or further study 15 months on
54%
in highly skilled work or study
85%
continue past their first year
68%
find their work meaningful
62%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£23,500
£22,000 – £27,000After 3 years LEO
£19,000
£17,000 – £24,000After 5 years LEO
£22,500
£20,825 – £29,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £16,000 – £30,500
National figures for Art & Design graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
87 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
74% working11% working and studying3% in further study54% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Art & Design courses at the same study level.
This course £22,500Peer median £24,500Middle 50% £22,125–£26,500
31st percentile
Compared with 1,698 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 13% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Artistic, literary and media occupationsSOC 2020 341 · 12% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 390; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) Illustration worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Illustration earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Slower payoff: this course’s graduate earnings stay close to non-graduate pay
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
−£44,370
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
-0.51×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£22,500
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£1,500 below a non-graduate (£24,000)
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Art & Design graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
87%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Art & Design courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Art & Design graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Design studios & agencies
- In-house brand teams
- Games & media companies
- Freelance & self-employed
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Art & Design graduates.
Fine Art TechnicianFirst Choice StaffPharmacy Technician – Brand New State-of-the-Art HospitalCompass AssociatesArtificial Intelligence Engineering ManagerMBN SolutionsArtificial Intelligence EngineerExperis UKDelivery Driver (Part Time 24 hours) - AndoverOcado LogisticsCompliance Business PartnerNashrock Insurance RecruitmentLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £23,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.2 out of 10: NSS 75% · in work or study 87% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
York St John University
All students12,150
International37.1%
Aged 25+31.6%
Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK
Students178,755
Aged 25+15.7%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around YSJ Main Campus
2,229 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 714Anti Social Behaviour 546Shoplifting 353Public Order 133Criminal Damage Arson 121
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Art & Design right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £12,100 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check York St John University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at York St John University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was More than 240 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by York St John University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Design, and creative and performing arts graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 54% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £23,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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