University of the Arts London

What you'll study

This online MA centres on developing a personalised, research-informed illustration practice. Teaching combines studio practice with taught modules in professional context, research methods and critical reflection. You will experiment with drawing, narrative, sequential art, image-making for publishing, advertising and screen, and explore digital workflows, motion and mixed media approaches.

• Studio Practice and Projects: regular practice-led projects that build technical skills and visual language, culminating in a sustained final major project that can take a commercial or self-directed form.
• Professional Contexts: industry-focused modules on pitching, commissioning, copyright, client relations, branding and producing publishable work for editorial, publishing and commercial clients.
• Research and Critical Practice: methods in visual research, contextual studies, writing for practice and reflective documentation to support your creative decisions.
• Collaborative and Cross-disciplinary Work: opportunities to collaborate with peers, other creative disciplines and external partners on briefs and live projects.
• Elective Pathways: options to specialise in areas such as children’s illustration, sequential/graphic narratives, surface pattern, concept art, and motion/animation for illustration.
• Professional Preparation: career development workshops, portfolio reviews, and industry-facing projects to prepare for freelance practice, self-publishing or work within creative organisations.

Learning is delivered through a combination of live online seminars, one-to-one tutorials, asynchronous resources, peer critiques and online studio presentations. Assessment is typically by project submission, portfolio and a reflective written element.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have an undergraduate degree in illustration, fine art or a closely related subject, or equivalent professional experience; a 2:1 standard is typical but equivalent experience and a strong portfolio will be considered. You will need to submit a portfolio of recent work, a personal statement outlining your aims on the programme, an up-to-date CV and academic or professional references.

Applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet UAL’s English language requirements. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview or an online portfolio review as part of the admissions process.

Career prospects

Graduates of MA Illustration Practices go on to a wide range of careers across the creative industries. Typical roles include:

• Freelance illustrator and commissioned practitioner
• Author-illustrator for children’s publishing and picture books
• Editorial and magazine illustrator
• Concept artist and visual development for games, film and animation
• Art director or creative lead in agencies and studios
• Surface pattern and product illustration for licensing and retail
• Graphic novelist and sequential artist
• Creative entrepreneur—running a studio, self-publishing or small press initiatives

The programme emphasises professional practice, client-facing projects and portfolio development to support transitions into employment, freelance practice or further research at doctoral level.

Why study at University of the Arts London

UAL is one of the world’s leading centres for art, design and communication and offers specialised teaching across its colleges and networks. The online MA Illustration Practices draws on the university’s wide community of tutors and visiting practitioners with active industry links, giving students access to current professional practice and commissioning contexts.

Studying at UAL provides connections to London’s creative industries, tailored careers and enterprise support, and an international alumni network. The online format retains a strong studio culture through regular tutorials, peer critique and curated showcases, enabling you to build a visible, professional profile while studying remotely.