Illustration

Why study Illustration at Dundee?

Although many of us think of illustration as a means of conveying messages in children's books, the BDes (Hons) Illustration Course will teach you that there are also many other forms of visual communication.

Illustration aims to address the demand for visual communicators by focusing the curriculum on creativity, authorship and interpretation. We offer a wide range of opportunities spanning book arts, applied design, photography, drawing, printmaking, moving and interactive media.

With an eye to commercial avenues this course adopts a broad definition of illustration and provides a dynamic and experimental environment for the development of visual ideas.

We help you to embrace traditional and experimental processes underpinned by high-end digital technologies and well resourced printmaking facilities. Illustrators benefit from a unique experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment that offers opportunities to collaborate with other courses.

Study illustration to:

• Develop dynamic visual ideas
• Learn to take ownership of our projects
• Enjoy a wide range of opportunities including narrative, book arts, photography, printmaking and interactive media

At the end of the course you will be able to:

• Subject research findings to argument and analysis
• Structure research outcomes
• Present an image and text based format
• Explain the relationship between theory and practice in your own work

We can offer you:

• Well resourced facilities
• Local and national links with industry
• Student focused teaching
• Opportunity to enter competitions and win awards

Student exchange

The academic perspective is enhanced by opportunities for you to study abroad through exchange schemes that operate with centres of excellence in many European and transatlantic countries.

In addition, the department normally organises an overseas study visit for all Level 3 students.

Who should study Illustration?

Communication Design

Illustration is one of three courses that comprise the communication design programme (animation, graphic design and illustration). While following your course in illustration, you will also gain a broad educational experience by being provided with a wide range of opportunities for you to engage with generic communication design issues as well as your pathway choice in illustration. The goal is to deliver agile and flexible graduate designers who have a broad understanding of communication design coupled with deep knowledge and expertise in their chosen subject pathway.

For examples of student work, staff profiles, and news from Illustration, visit the DJCAD website.

Related courses

• Animation
• Art, Philosophy, Contemporary Practices
• Digital Interaction Design
• Fine Art (Digital Media, Drawing & Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture)
• Graphic Design
• Interior Environmental Design
• Jewellery & Metal Design
• Product Design
• Textile Design
• Time Based Art & Digital Film

Teaching & Assessment

The programme of study initially involves projects and workshops designed to help you, through experiential learning, to understand the fundamental discipline of your chosen subject. Many different approaches to teaching and learning are used including regular seminars, practical lectures, studio demonstrations, individual tutorials and group critiques.

Careers

The demand for illustrators has increased as related commercial fields have expanded. Our graduates have gone on to have successful careers in the following fields:

• publishing
• design
• editorial
• advertising
• art
• animation
• online media
• sequential imagery
• film & television

Placements, live project work and participation in national and international competitions all hone the employability and aspirations of our students. Students have found employment with many major design studios and organisations such as:

• The New York Times
• Bank of Scotland
• The Guardian
• Edinburgh International Fringe Festival
• The Scotsman
• Orange
• The Herald
• Umbro
• TimeOut London
• National Museum of Scotland

Postgraduate study

Some graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level on our taught Masters degree or PhD programmes.

Enterprise/Freelance

Others have gone on to freelance and establishing their own successful businesses. Extra curriculum activities such as the Enterprise Gym help students cultivate entrepreneurial skills. The Greenhouse Business Pre-Incubator facility provides ambitious students with an office space to explore their business idea.

Entry Requirements

Students applying for Illustration must successfully complete our 1 year Art and Design (General Foundation) course. In this instance you should apply using the UCAS code WW12.

Alternatively, if you have already completed a recognised foundation course or equivalent elsewhere then apply directly to Illustration.

The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Selection notes

All applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work. The qualifications listed below may be modified for an applicant presenting an exceptional portfolio.

Students are selected by assessing the contents of a portfolio of work that should convey a measure of creative, practical skill and intellectual/enthusiastic engagement in the practice of art and design.

Courses starting September 2013

BA/BDes Art & Design Specialisms Level 2 Entry

Qualification	Grade
SQA Advanced Higher	BB (Advanced Higher) + BB (Higher) in different subjects
GCE A-Level	ABB
IB Diploma	34 points (including 6, 6, 5, at Higher level)
Other	Foundation Degree in Art & Design
Other	HND in an Art & Design subject with BB in the Graded Units
Essential Subjects	Art and Design, or related subject (at SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A-Level, IB Higher Level), an appropriate literate subject (at SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A Level, IB Higher Level) and one other subject outside art & design subjects (at SQA Higher, GCE A Level, IB Higher Level).
All applicants must also submit a comprehensive portfolio of art/design/creative work.
Applicants may be invited to attend an interview and visit the course.

Other Qualifications

Qualification	Grade
SQA	A recognised Foundation Course or a relevant HND with BB in the Graded Units
Scottish Baccalaureate	Pass with BB at AH
EDEXCEL	A recognised Foundation Course or a relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DDM
Advanced Diploma	Grade B with ASL A-levels in appropriate subjects at AB
Welsh Baccalaureate	Pass with A-levels in appropriate subjects at AB
All qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. All qualifications should include a relevant Art & Design subject & a literate subject. A comprehensive portfolio of creative work is required, and an interview may be required.
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category	Fees for students starting September 2012	Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students	£1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.	DJCAD Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships
Students from the rest of the UK	£9,000 per year of study. You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.	University of Dundee Bursaries DJCAD Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships
EU students	£1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.	Other Scholarships
Overseas students (non-EU)	£11,461 per year.	DJCAD Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

• Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
• Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
• As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

Students applying for Illustration must successfully complete our 1 year Art and Design (General Foundation) course. In this instance you should apply using the UCAS code WW12.

Alternatively, if you have already completed a recognised foundation course or equivalent elsewhere then apply directly to Illustration.

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree	UCAS Codes	KIS data
BA/BDes Art and Design (General Foundation Level 1 entry) (1 year only)	WW12	View KIS data for this course
BDes Illustration	W220	View KIS data for this course

UCAS Application Process

Admissions procedure

All applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work. The qualifications listed may be modified for an applicant presenting an exceptional portfolio.

Students are selected by assessing the contents of a portfolio of work that should convey a measure of creative, practical skill and intellectual/enthusiastic engagement in the practice of art and design.

International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

• Your Home Country - including information about qualifications from individual countries
• Fees and Funding
• English Language Requirements
• International Student Support

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact: