Illustration

Become an innovative, unique, diverse, and professionally-minded illustrator

Through a journey of exploration and experimentation, you will engage with challenging projects and activities, developing greater self-motivation and confidence to push beyond simply meeting a brief. Our goal is to nurture your ability to explore, redefine, reimagine, and question conventional interpretations of the subject.

The highlights

• You will be encouraged to experiment and challenge what illustration is, with the opportunity to take part in live projects and high-profile competitions. Each module is designed to challenge you in exploring and solving a range of creative problems
• Located in a dedicated and inspiring illustration studio you will network with your peers and forge lifelong connections. You will gain opportunities to specialise in a specific field or area of expertise in illustration and flexibility to discover and create self-authored projects
• Use our drawing room, printmaking studio and Digital Design Hub where you will be immersed in traditional and contemporary techniques such as drawing, screen-print, lino, mono-printing, drypoint, risograph, solar etching, photography, digital image making, 3D model making, painting and multi-media collage
• You will be introduced to a variety of illustration practices, including sequential image-making, characterisation, reportage and editorial illustration
• Learn from a teaching team of practitioners who have expertise across a variety of illustration backgrounds: exhibiting artists, printmakers, storyboard artists and commercial illustrators. The diverse staff team bring specialist skillsets but also have expert knowledge of broader design practice and will offer individualised advice and guidance throughout your study
• We also run a high-profile lecture series offering you the chance to meet leading industry speakers from a variety of disciplines, such as Sam Arthur, founder of Nobrow Publishing and ceramicist and illustrator, Laura Carlin
• Take up opportunities for trips to galleries and events both locally and further afield as well as the chance to take part in exciting pop-up showcase events in the city
• All students become members of The Association of Illustrators and network with influential illustrators at the forefront of the industry, gaining advice on how to set up as a freelancer, receive professional portfolio consultations, accessing resources such as legal and pricing advice.

An art school experience 

You will be immersed in the exploration of craft and design, encouraging the development of drawing skills, idea communication, and visual storytelling.

You will be well supported to cultivate a distinctive personal voice while creating illustrative work across diverse formats such as publishing, editorial and educational design, graphic novels, narrative projects, printmaking, moving image, children’s books, and packaging.

Studio study will be complemented with history and theory modules which will enhance your intellectual development, graduate and academic skills, whilst providing an awareness of wider contexts pertinent to illustration.

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21 Years in the Making

In January 2019, we proudly celebrated 21 years since the Illustration course was established at Derby with an exhibition titled "21 Years in the Making."

The exhibition tracked back through the 21 years and celebrated the successes of the programme alumni, staff, technicians, and current students while presenting the diverse and innovative approaches to Illustration that began at the University in 1997. 

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Teaching Methods

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods including project work, workshop practice, lectures, demonstrations, seminars, group critiques, work checks, individual tutorials, reports and assignments.

• The main focus is on practical project work which equips you with a broad range of technical, analytical, intellectual and organisational skills. This includes live briefs set by employers, workshops led by design companies and regular commissions for arts organisations such as QUAD in Derby or Derby Book Festival. We have recently partnered with local businesses such as Shiny Brewery to work with our students on live-briefs with a commercial output
• The course also features cultural study trips to museums, galleries, exhibitions, conferences and book fairs. Recent destinations include the National Fairground & Circus Archive, the Hepworth Wakefield, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park
• We offer exciting opportunities for you to showcase your talent in prestigious competitions and exhibitions, and to sell your work at local and national outlets. Our students have celebrated success in challenges set by organisations such as Macmillan, Penguin Random House and D&AD. The department collaborates with local civic partners such as the Museum of Making, Pickford’s House, Surtal Arts, and People of Print/Department Store. We have also organised the recent FOLD zine fest and the Pulped Pop-Up Print Fest, sellers included current students, alumni, and local creative practitioners. Student publications are on sale in GOSH! Comics in London and Derby Uncovered on Sadler Gate, Derby.

Our students are expected to attend on a daily basis, with periods of time allocated to self-directed study. You’ll be assessed by 100% coursework relevant to each module, which may include artwork portfolios, exhibitions, sketchbooks, research, essays, reports and presentations.

This course prepares you for an exciting career in illustration, with opportunities in newspaper and magazine editorial, education, publishing and book arts, children’s books, graphic novels, print production, advertising and the wider design industry. Some of our graduates also pursue careers as writers, educators and picture/research editors. With a large number of illustrators working on a freelance basis, the course also equips you with business skills and an entrepreneurial outlook.   

Whatever branch of illustration you aspire to, you’ll graduate with a professional portfolio that is personal and distinctive, alongside a wealth of promotional material to launch your career. Many of our students are talent-spotted through the hands-on work they undertake during live briefs for employers, or through the competitions and exhibitions which form an integral part of your studies.  

As part of the course, you’ll join the Association of Illustrators (AOI) which advances illustrators’ rights and encourages professional standards. You will have access to notable industry practitioners, workshops, support and professional advice, including one-to-one portfolio surgeries by the AOI for our final year students.  

You could consider our MA/MDes Design if you would like to take your studies to postgraduate level.   

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. You may be given the opportunity, within your offer letter, to submit a portfolio. If you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.

Additional entry requirements

• Portfolio: Recommended - view portfolio details

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.