Course name
University name or location
Topic or category
Find a course
Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one.
Where to study
See what makes a university special and discover where you belong.
Find a university
Search by name or city.
Get Advice
Get tips, tricks and wise words from students and experts at each stage.
Browse advice
Personal statement examples
A-level choices
Law degree
Revision help
Oxbridge applications
Ucas application
Student life
Student finance
Browse all advice
Popular right now
Clearing 2026: four things you might not know about Clearing and results day
Clearing and results day 2026: prepare your back-up plan
Finding a university place in Ucas Clearing: 10 top tips to help you get ready
Clearing 2026: how to call universities
A guide to Ucas Clearing 2026: how to find your university place
How Ucas Hub works on results day 2025
A-level results day 2026: what to expect
Btec results day 2026: what to expect
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Illustration course at University of Derby.
We're still busy gathering entry requirements for Illustration at University of Derby. Look out for more info soon.
Most popular A-levels studied
See who's studying at University of Derby. These students are taking Illustration or another course from the same subject area.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Fine Art | C |
| Mathematics | D |
| Craft and Design | B |
| Geography | B |
| Graphics | B |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: W220
Here's what University of Derby says about its Illustration course.
You’ll learn to tell innovative visual stories on this BA Illustration, which encourages you to experiment, question and take risks in order to develop a strong and distinctive illustrative style.
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE? You’ll be able to explore drawing, photography, printmaking, digital image making, collage and 3D techniques and find out which media you’re truly passionate about. There’s a big focus on project work, including real briefs from employers and arts organisations like QUAD in Derby and Buxton Festival Fringe.
IS THIS COURSE FOR YOU? Are you eager to make your mark on the world of illustration? Are you open to new ideas and challenges? Are you willing to speak up, stand up and stand out? Then you belong on Derby’s illustration degree.
HOW YOU WILL LEARN Your focus will be practical project work – including briefs from genuine clients – so you develop a broad set of skills: technical, analytical, intellectual and organisational. There will also be workshop practice, lectures, demonstrations, seminars, group critiques, work checks, individual tutorials, reports and assignments. We’ll visit museums, galleries, exhibitions and other events for further inspiration.
OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES. This is not a place where you can hide away. Experience what working as a freelance illustrator is really like through the student-led design group, PLY. Show off your talent at prestigious competitions and exhibitions, including New Designers in London. Excel in challenges set by organisations like Macmillan, Penguin Books and the Royal Mail.
CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY You’ll graduate from BA Illustration with a distinctive professional portfolio and a suite of promotional material to launch your career. You could go into newspaper and magazine editorial, education, children’s books, graphic novels, print production, advertising or the wider design industry. Your improved business skills and entrepreneurial outlook will also make freelancing a viable option.
Source: University of Derby
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Department
Department of Art and Design
Location
Main Site | Derby
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Visual communication
Start date
14 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Scotland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Wales | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| EU | £16,900 per year (provisional) |
| International | £16,900 per year (provisional) |
University of Derby student reviews
Showing 306 reviews
3rd year
Forensic science
1 year ago
The student union care for the university and its students ensuring we are happy, healthy and thriving during our time in university. They put on events with freebies to boost morale as well.
3rd year
Forensic science
1 year ago
The halls and university are really close to the city so getting around is easy, especially with the university buses. The city is definitely a student friendly place with plenty of clubs and late night food places, as well as a variety of shops and other entertainment for those who aren’t into club...
3rd year
Forensic science
1 year ago
The university is definitely value for money and so are the halls. There is financial support available for those who need it and the union ensures that you still have fun even if you are on a strict budget by hosting free events on campus.
3rd year
Forensic science
1 year ago
The university and halls have a great support system which ensures you get the help you need quickly and from a diverse team of professionals.
3rd year
Forensic science
1 year ago
The facilities are very clean and up to standard for our labs and lectures. Any maintenance is quickly sorted as well.
3rd year
Forensic science
1 year ago
Forensics is an amazing course to study with a blended mix of lectures and labs, you are sure to have a broad knowledge about every main path of forensics. The staff are very knowledgeable and supportive and the sessions are action-packed and full of useful information. Labs are weekly and are criti...
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Derby
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from University of Derby students who took the Illustration course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
85%
med
Teaching on my course
85%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
88%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
85%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
90%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
78%
med
Learning opportunities
79%
low
Learning opportunities
79%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
75%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
83%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
81%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
88%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
69%
low
Assessment and feedback
74%
low
Assessment and feedback
74%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
87%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
67%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
67%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
88%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
62%
low
Academic support
83%
low
Academic support
83%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
79%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
87%
med
Organisation and management
61%
low
Organisation and management
61%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
61%
low
How well organised is your course?
60%
low
Learning resources
58%
low
Learning resources
58%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
61%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
50%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
63%
low
Student voice
66%
low
Student voice
66%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
63%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
71%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
65%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
70%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
87%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
62%
low
Student information
See who's studying at University of Derby. These students are taking Illustration or another course from the same subject area.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
Facts and figures about University of Derby graduates who took Illustration - or another course in the same subject area.
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
80%
In work, study or other activity
90%
Say it fits with future plans
75%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
15%
Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
10%
Artistic, literary and media occupations
10%
Skilled trades occupations
10%
Teaching Professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Derby graduates who took Illustration - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£20.1k
First year after graduation
£22.6k
Third year after graduation
£24.5k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Illustration.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about University of Derby on The Student Room.
University of Derby open days
Are you thinking of applying to this university?
Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.
Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
