MDes Illustration

When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

Why choose this course?

It's a studio practice based four year course that incorporates undergraduate and postgraduate study.
It's equivalent to any other masters degree.
You can apply for student loan funding to cover all four years of full time study.
If you have a passion for illustration, this course will prepare you for your career in this field.
All our lecturers are active professionals and are members of the Visual Communication Research Group.

About the course

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.

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.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Your career

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.

Anything else?

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, Derby City Council, Derby Literature Development, NewEnglish design group in Leicester, and the University of Derby Marketing Department.