MDes Illustration

UCAS code: W222

Start date: September

Course length: full time: four years, part time: this depends on how much time you have to study, but usually it would take about eight years

Campus: Markeaton Street site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

This four year course integrates undergraduate and postgraduate study, enabling you to be committed from the early stages as a deep thinker, risk taker and innovative practitioner in illustration. Visual narrative is at the heart of most illustration, which is often used to help interpret or explain complex or difficult issues and ideas. You'll study the same modules as BA (Hons) Illustration students until January of your third year, when you will move on to study at masters level for the final 18 months.

In your final year you will produce in depth, challenging and original creative ideas through a Final Major project. We will encourage you to consider the ethical impact of your practice and individuality as an illustrator, by questioning and challenging what the subject can be and pushing boundaries.

Stage one

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Culture: History
• Visual Exploration
• Illustration Practice
• Visual Problem Solving

Stage two

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Culture: Theory
• Directed Projects in Illustration
• Professional Practice
• Design Solutions
• Sequential Illustration
• Digital Moving Images

Stage three

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Culture: Extended Essay
• Negotiated Study in Illustration

Stage four

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Culture: Debates
• Personal Practice and Methodologies
• Visual Culture: Dissertation
• Final Project Phase One: Concept
• Final Project Phase Two: Realisation

Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application, your portfolio, and how you've done in your interview. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Fees for 2013/14

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £8,250 (each year)

We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

Throughout the course you will meet innovative speakers from the illustration industry. Recent visitors have included international illustrators Russell Cobb and Mark Wigan. You will have study trips to museums, galleries and exhibitions plus opportunities to visit exciting locations.

We're a member of the Association of Illustrators (AOI) and D&AD (Design and Art Direction).

Our students regularly work in association with many high profile design companies, such as Macmillan Children's books, Penguin Books, The Chase, Big Fish, K Design and at in house positions with the Southern Derbyshire Health Trust and Rolls-Royce PLC.

We've also run 'live' projects with; Anglia Television, Southern Derbyshire Health Trust, the National Trust, Oasis Fashion Retailer, Smith East Associates, Design Group, the Bridge Group of design consultants, Derby Museum and Art Gallery and Derby City Council.

As a graduate you could work as a freelance illustrator in areas such as children's and adult publishing, magazines, graphic novels, comics, printmaking, information and education design, as well as web design, newspapers and packaging. You could also gain employment in the broader field of the creative industries including graphic design, computer games, animation or advertising. Some of our graduates have also moved on to teaching and further postgraduate study.