BA (Hons) Illustration with Foundation

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Find out more about Clearing

The course will help you develop a range of skills that employers are looking for, including:

• Creating and designing
• Teamwork
• Observation
• Analysis
• Ideas generation.

And it clearly works – graduates from this course have gained international praise and recognition as freelance illustrators, animators, artists and teachers.

The skills you’ll learn on this course will be beneficial to you in your working life, regardless of your chosen career direction.

Find out more about where an illustration degree can take you

Careers service

Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements and networks, working with the academic staff teaching on your course.

We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.

Learn about our careers service

We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.

Your foundation year will:

• Welcome you to an engaging, experiential learning environment with a focus on active exploration, experimentation and discovery across a wide range of material, methods and media.
• Help develop your practical, technical and creative skills through studio and workshop based projects.
• Provide training in key learning skills for further undergraduate study and build an awareness of practise, context and theory.
• Introduce you to the accessible community of experienced academics, practitioners and technical staff that will support you on your studies.
  
• Give you access to a wide range of enviable specialist workshops, laboratories and facilities across the campus and become part of our vibrant student community through the various opportunities available within the School of Art, Design and Architecture.
• Enable you to explore and develop your personal interests and strengths as a creative practitioner.

This course is an integrated part of the BA (Hons) Illustration degree at the University of Plymouth. Successful completion of your foundation year (Year 0) will not lead to a separate award or qualification in its own right but provides progression onto Year 1 of 

• BA (Hons) Illustration

• Year 0

• Core modules

  • Materials, Methods and Media (ADA001)

    This module will introduce students to various techniques, materials and mediums through practise-based experiments, play and problem solving. You will be introduced to different creative processes and methods of working that will help you to develop your ideas and engage in critical and reflective practice.

  • Image, Type and Narrative (ADA002)

    Students will experiment with media, photography and typography to explore the relationship between image and word. This module enables students to gain knowledge within subject areas and explore the importance of developing an independent voice. Projects will become increasingly student driven as they develop their ability to propose ideas and solutions through self-directed inquiry, discovery and production.

  • Risk and Resolution (ADA003)

    Students will consolidate their skills, knowledge and understanding in initiating, researching, developing and presenting a final project and exhibition. This module will also enable students to continue to research and develop their strengths as an independent art and design practitioner and prepare them for their next stage of study.

  • Critical Themes in Art & Design (ADA004)

    This module introduces students to transformative phases within the historical and contemporary context of art, design, photography and media. Students will learn to ask critical questions and find answers through information gathering, reading and research. Through articulating responses, students will be introduced to academic conventions in preparation for progression to further Higher Education.

• Year 1

• Core modules

  • Character (ILLUS403)

    Students visually explore character creation via a broad range of traditional and digital media and formats whilst being introduced to some of the design processes utilised within illustration practice. Practical character development, narrative and creative writing are a feature. Critical reflection underpins practical work and help to identify strengths and weaknesses. Potential collaborative practice is also a feature.

  • Gaining Confidence in... (ILLUS404)

    Students explore a range of conceptual, theoretical and practical projects and challenges concentrating upon the fundamentals of contemporary and future Illustrative practice. Areas include narrative, interactivity, semiotics, metaphor, ideas generation, drawing, printmaking, critical and analytical reflection and writing.

• Year 2

• Optional modules

  • Thematic: Finding Your Context (ILLUS500)

    Working on a shared theme students identify a context within illustration practice and in consultation with tutors write an individual which reflects personally identified objectives proposal. The resulting diverse array of outcomes developed from one central topic helps you to consider the impact audience and context have upon communications. The potential strand exit awards are highlighted.

  • Technique and Approach 1 (ILLUS501)

    Engaging with representational theories within the global, historical, contemporary and cultural landscape you express your findings as part of a group. Study trips offer the opportunity to gain primary research. Lectures, individual and group research, meetings and tutorials, run concurrently throughout the module, culminating in a presentation representative of the whole group's efforts. A visual research journal that includes a written report is submitted at the time of the presentation by each of the group members. Drawing skills are defined and explored as a test bed for ideas and a reflective tool-kit for discovery. The module is also designed to extend your visual research skills and awareness of the value of drawing within illustration.

  • Interpreting Information (ILLUS510)

    Choosing from a selection of information from a variety of sources, you negotiate a project brief that allows you to interpret that information visually for a specific illustration context. By reflecting upon your output to date and considering the variety of illustrative fields open to study (including the exit award strands), negotiated learning helps you to question and, where appropriate, reinforce your ambitions. Competition briefs and/or work-based learning through placements or studio visits may be undertaken as part of this module (subject to negotiation and the nature of the project undertaken).

  • Technique and Approach 2 (ILLUS511)

    Individual research identifies, analyses, and communicates an investigation into the work of an individual or a group of practitioners in illustration or an allied practice. Lectures and research run concurrently throughout the module, to support the writing of an essay. Preparation for dissertation is undertaken. Drawing skills develop along with knowledge of the value of drawing within your illustrative practice.

  • Japanese Exchange and Report (ILLUS520)

    This module enables you to extend your experience and understanding of illustration through study abroad. You spend a minimum of twelve weeks at the Hokkaido College of Art & Design, Bisen, Japan. This offers the opportunity to increase communication skills, self-reliance, a greater awareness of cultural values and increased vocational prospects. You write and present a critical evaluation of your educational, cultural and personal experience.

  • International Exchange and Report (ILLUS531)

    The module is designed to extend your experience and understanding of subjects through study abroad. You spend a minimum of twelve weeks at an approved international institution offering illustration or complementary design options as a major subject. This offers the opportunity to increase communication skills, self-reliance, a greater awareness of cultural values and increased vocational prospects. You write a critical evaluation of your educational, cultural and personal experience.

• Final Year

• Core modules

  • Consolidating Your Approach (ILLUS600)

    After an initial period of preparation, research, consultation and project work, you submit a portfolio evidencing your practice to date and a typewritten report identifying aims and learning objectives for the year ahead reflecting your practice and professional aspirations. At the end of this module you may opt (subject to negotiation) to focus your studies towards one of the specific exit award titles

  • Negotiated Project 1 (ILLUS610)

    A number of broad themes are presented. After reflection and evaluation of previous conclusions and future ambitions, you select one theme and submit a typed brief associated with the selection to satisfy your personally identified goals. Upon acceptance of your brief, you undertake an in depth study of the chosen theme (or the identified aspect of the theme) and produce a body of work that responds to your written brief, demonstrating a full engagement with the task defined within the brief. Competition or live briefs may be undertaken as part of this module provided they fit within the agreed proposal and cover the Learning Outcomes.

  Optional modules

  • Negotiated Project 2A (ILLUS620)

    This module is designed to consolidate the learning achieved throughout and fully prepare you for your professional ambitions. After an initial period of preparation, research and consultation, you submit a written brief identifying aims and objectives reflecting your practice and professional aspirations. Following approval of the proposal you undertake an extensive period of self-directed, negotiated study leading to the production of a substantial body of work. The work is presented verbally and visually. Competition or live briefs may be undertaken as part of this module provided they fit within the agreed proposal.

  • Negotiated Project 2B (ILLUS621)

    This module is designed to consolidate the learning achieved throughout and fully prepare you for your professional ambitions. After an initial period of preparation, research and consultation, you submit a written brief identifying aims and objectives reflecting your practice and professional aspirations. Following approval of the proposal you undertake an extensive period of self-directed, negotiated study leading to the production of a substantial body of work. The work is presented verbally and visually. Competition or live briefs may be undertaken as part of this module provided they fit within the agreed proposal. You equip yourself for entry into professional practice or post-graduate study through production of promotional materials.

  • Dissertation (written) (ILLUS630)

    You propose, research and communicate knowledge and understanding of a subject related to their Illustration studies, via writing an essay of between 5,000 and 6,500. You receive a formal document, (Guidelines for Dissertation Writing) and attend an initial explanatory lecture, after which you submit a proposal for your intended area of study. You are allocated a tutor for the duration of the module. Field study trips to gain first hand research may be undertaken.

  • Dissertation (presentation) (ILLUS631)

    You propose, research and communicate knowledge and understanding of a subject related to their Illustration studies via giving a presentation of up to 25 minutes with accompanying essay of 2,200 - 2,500 words. You receive a formal document, (Guidelines for Dissertation Writing) and attend an initial explanatory lecture, after which you submit a proposal for your intended area of study. You are allocated a tutor for the duration of the module. Field study trips to gain first hand research may be undertaken.

  • Practice, Research and Analysis (ILLUS632)

    A practical research project appropriate to your practice and ambitions and commensurate with Level 6 study is negotiated as an alternative to ILLUS630. A visual research journal is used to record your process of enquiry of a negotiated project and then as a basis for an illustrated, reflective report of not less than 1000 words that analyses and critiques your explorations, findings and practical outcome. This incremental, applied research approach facilitates the development of your critical thinking skills and creates a record of the reflective dialogue between you, your practical development and relevant cultural and historical materials.

  • Dissertation Extended (ILLUS633)

    Research of a topic in considerable depth with methodological and conceptual sophistication, using primary/secondary sources to complete a dissertation of critical writing (between 10,000 and 12,000 words). You receive 'Guidelines for Extended Dissertation Writing', an initial lecture, after which they submit a proposal. You are allocated a tutor for the module. Field study trips to gain first hand research may be undertaken.

  • Professional Practice (ILLUS640)

    You locate your studio-based practice within a context of your chosen area of professional specialism and articulate this understanding through production of a report. You gain a deeper understanding of the business and professional dimensions of the subject of illustration. You equip yourself for entry into professional practice or post-graduate study through production of promotional materials. Live briefs and / or work-based learning through placements or studio visits may be undertaken as part of this module. Field study trips to gain first hand research may be undertaken.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA Hons Illustration with Foundation Programme Specification 2020 21 6748

UCAS tariff

32 - 48

Don’t have 32–48 UCAS tariff points? We will consider ‘non-standard’ applications on a case-by-case basis.

A levels: For Level 3 entry the Tariff points entry level will normally be 32–48 points from A level or equivalent. Non-standard applicants will normally be interviewed.

BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended

Irish Leaving Certificate: Irish Highers, H5 in five subjects equivalent to 32–48 points.

International Baccalaureate: 24 overall

Proficiency in English: Students for whom English is an additional language will need to demonstrate ability in spoken and written English equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 and/or successfully complete the university’s special test before entering the foundation year.

English language requirement

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

We are looking for applicants with good potential including with non-standard qualifications and background, so will consider every application on a case by case basis. Alternatively, if you have any questions or concerns about meeting the entry requirements listed above we would encourage you to contact the Admissions Team on +44 1752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk, where a member of the team can offer you further advice.