“Concept Art is the birthplace of ideas, while Illustration breathes life into those ideas, shaping worlds and narratives.”
Iain McCaig, world renowned Concept Artist (‘Star Wars’ films franchise, ‘The Avengers’, ‘Guardian of the Galaxy’, ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’, Terminator II, ‘Outlander’ …)
Join us and be part of a vibrant studio culture and community of students working individually and collaboratively to help shape the future of the U.K. Creative Industries.
On our exciting and unique Illustration & Concept Art degree you’ll learn from experienced lecturers/practitioners and engage with innovative, industry aligned curriculum that encourages you to push boundaries and explore new approaches. With hands-on experience, digital fluency, a diverse creative skillset, professional and entrepreneurial abilities, our graduates are equipped to hit the ground running, and launch their careers creating distinctive, high quality visual content for the publishing, editorial, advertising, animation, film, television and video games industries
At both levels 5 and 6 students engage directly with industry professionals, in both requesting assignment briefs and receiving feedback. Some examples being renowned concept artists and illustrators Andrew Porter, Tyler Edlin, Marco Bucci, Viviane Schwarz, Korky PauI, Keith Robinson, including two of our own graduate alumni Stephen Harris and Darren Watford.
Our students take part in both national and international annual competitions, including the World Illustration Awards (AOI), Bologna Book Fair – Children’s Book Illustration Competition, V&A Illustration Awards, Picture Hooks Competition, The Rookie Awards (Illustration, Animation, Concept Art, Video Games, VFX, VR and Design), Cheltenham Illustration Awards, Macmillan Prize for Illustration and Folio Book Illustration Award.
We are a member of the AOI (Association of Illustrators) which provides students, tutors and professionals with excellent on-line and published resources, including opportunities to attend specialist one-day workshops, benefit from industry guest speakers, and be included in student portfolio surgeries.
Level 6
Full-Time
3 Years
W6T5
Programme Leader: BA(Hons)/FdA Illustration & Concept Art
I have over 24 years’ experience in HE education. I have an MA in Design (Illustration) from the University of Lincoln. During my teaching career, I have held a number of posts including Lecturer, Course Leader, Deputy Head of Section and Programme Leader.
HE Lecturer
I have worked in higher education since 2019. My current role is HE Lecturer on the Illustration & Concept Art programmes of study at University Campus, Doncaster.
The primary way of delivering this degree is on campus within specialist studios, equipped with excellent industry standard resources, both digital and traditional. Students receive 12 hours of teaching per week, within a thirty-week academic year. Additional one-to-one tutorial meetings with tutors provides further support and allows a perfect opportunity for students to review and reflect.
Students are provided with online platforms (recorded Microsoft Teams sessions), student forums, one-to-one and group tutorials, and email feedback. All module project handbooks and learning support materials are made available to access online.
For each level /year of the course students need to complete a total of 120 credits, which is made up of a number of individual modules, and equates to 1200 hours of learning (360 hours are taught hours by tutors, with independent study being 740 hours). At undergraduate level, an increasing emphasis is placed on independent study when progressing through the programme. Independent study can take place at home, and/or students can also access their specialist studios and the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) Monday to Friday.
Teaching Methods
Teaching consists of lectures (L), seminars (S), workshops (W), and tutorials (T) – core modes of teaching which inherently facilitate learning. These modes are used interchangeably and are often combined to suit a particular activity.
Programme Modules
Our programme modules are designed to build and extend students creative skillsets and knowledge of illustration and concept art for the creative industry fields that include film, television, animation, video games, children’s picture books, publishing, editorial, design and advertising. Personal art style and voice will evolve as students’ progress through each level of the course.
In terms of module structure, scaffolded learning is applied, as this helps level 4/year 1 to level 5/year 2 students to acquire, develop and build their technical and creative skills, extend specialist knowledge, learn from feedback and critique, and self-directed learning skills. Level 6/year 3 students apply their accumulated knowledge and skills to more independent and autonomous study modules. This encourages the development of their self-directed learning skills and prepares them for real-world demands of the creative industries when they graduate.
The tutor team provide detailed instruction and guidance for completing each module and stage of a project, including the ways in which the modules link through each level – using increasing knowledge and skills that will be applied to specific illustration, concept art and design techniques, traditional and software tools, academic engagement and best practices. Experimentation also plays an important and intrinsic role within the creative design process at all levels.
This course includes the following core, compulsory modules that all students complete:
Level 4 | Year 1
Drawing Fundamentals – 20 credits
Digital Illustration Fundamentals – 20 credits
History of Art & Design – 20 credits
Drawing & Concept Art – 20 credits
Digital Illustration & Design – 20 credits
History of Illustration: Theory & Practice – 20 credits
Level 5 | Year 2
Industry Practice Report – 20 credits
Industry Practice Project – 20 credits
Self-Promotion & Industry Contacts – 20 credits
Commercial Project – 20 credits
Specialist Industry Project – 40 credits
Level 6 | Year 3
Independent Research Project – 40 credits
Major Project Visual Development – 20 credits
Major Project Realisation – 40 credits
Portfolio Development & Promotion – 20 credits
Feedback
During each module and level of the degree ongoing formative feedback and suggestions are provided on student work and their personal performance. In addition, summative assessment provides grading, plus written feedback and feedforward at the end of each project. Tutor and peer recommendations at group presentation stages are constructive and identify where improvements can be made.
Community
The course continues to build and maintain a vibrant student community. Group sessions and forums play an integral and invaluable role in ensuring students feel fully supported in their studies. Students will make regular and ongoing use of online platforms to share their work and record their on-going learning journey with tutors and peers.
Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.
The illustration and concept art industries have always traditionally drawn on principles of studio and project-based learning, critiques and feedback. To that end, the assessment approach for the programme aims to engage students in authentic learning environments, with increasingly complex creative problems to solve as they progress through levels 4, 5 and 6.
Assessment Methods
The course uses a variety of assessment methods to assess creative, academic, and professional skills. These include:
Assessments and ongoing feedback are provided via tutorials, one-to-one/group discussions, presentations, peer reviews, and critiques to ensure students fully understand how to improve their work and achieve high grades.
80 UCAS Tariff Points – Level 3 qualifications, these may include: A Levels (AC or CDD) or BTEC National Diploma (DM), or a BTEC National Extended Diploma (MMP) or a Foundation Diploma, in a relevant subject area · Access to HE Diploma in an art related programme with at least 45 credits at Level 3 · Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL) · Recognition of Prior Experience (RPEL).
We welcome applications from people of any age who might not meet the standard entry criteria, but we would expect to see evidence of continuing academic and/or professional development and a capacity to pursue the course successfully.
As part of the application process, a traditional or digital portfolio of art and design-related work, plus a sample of formal writing must be presented that evidence creative ability, and suitability for the course.
Prospective illustration and concept art applicants can also evidence relevant industry experience in several ways, including:
We are committed to creating educational opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds and situations, and we are here to help.
If you have any questions about our portfolio requirements or the interview process, please feel free to contact the Programme Leader at carey.sizer-coy@don.ac.uk
There is no single ‘right’ path to success in the illustration, concept art and design industries. The key is for students and graduates to stay passionate, continue learning and growing, and be open to new opportunities and experiences.
Progression routes may include the following:
Continuing postgraduate and/or short-course education:
Many illustrators and concept artists choose to continue their education after graduation, pursuing a postgraduate qualification in a related illustration and concept art subject, or undertaking specialist courses to advance their knowledge of illustration and concept art techniques and practice.
Graduates who have ambition for career progression within their desired fields may also seek and undertake courses in management, leadership, and entrepreneurialism. Collectively these help graduates to stay current with industry trends/needs, gain a competitive ‘edge’ in the job market, and achieve desired career aspirations.
Our degree is tailored to match the needs of today’s dynamic and digitally driven world, with the emphasis on cultivating graduates that are talented and multi-skilled illustrators and concept artists, possessing the skills and professional abilities to work within the Creative Industries.
Career pathways include but are not limited to: Junior & Senior Character/Environment Concept Artist, Children’s Book Illustrator, Editorial/Publishing/Advertising Illustrator, Storyboard Artist and Art Director.
If you wish to continue studying beyond this course you will have the academic, professional, and creative skillset to do so, whether it be studying for a Master’s Degree in your specialist subject area or studying for a Post-Graduate Teaching Qualification.
The key to success is for you to stay passionate, continue learning and growing, and be open to new opportunities and experiences.
UK students may be eligible for support via loans and grants.
£7940.00 per year.
Your Tuition fees cover most costs associated with your course (including registration, tuition, and assessment).
There may be some extra costs that you might need to make, or choose to pay, for example:
*Specialist software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk, Maya and Blender) via the university’s own licences is available free to all of our students. They can access, download and use on their personal computers (Mac or PC) in addition to the 27-inch iMac, Retina 5k computers based in their specialist studios for the duration of their studies.
Financial Support for Learners:
Various additional funding opportunities may be available to students. These include short-term loans (bridging loans) for students awaiting student finance payments, with applications accepted throughout the year, and the Student Opportunity Fund, providing non-repayable financial assistance based on individual circumstances, open for application annually from October/November. Other options include the Low-Income Bursary and Care Leavers Bursary, both offering £500 and requiring specific eligibility criteria. Additionally, exemptions from council tax for full-time students and specific bursaries such as the Initial Teacher Education Bursary are provided. Moreover, there’s support available for disabled students, including the Disabled Student Allowance and Additional Learning Support for those with long-term mental, physical, or specific learning difficulties, with confidential assistance and adjustments offered in accordance with the Equality Act (2010). To access support or discuss needs, students are encouraged to contact the Additional Learning Support team.
Applying to multiple providers, including us?
To find out more and apply for this course, please contact us via the telephone number below.
Applying only to University Campus Doncaster? You can directly apply.
If you are applying only to University Campus Doncaster and not to any other universities or providers, you can do so directly by using the following link.
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