Illustration

Our Illustration master's degree course will help you to engagingly convey complex information to effectively tell stories. Experimenting with an array of storytelling and narrative methods, you will master the roles of illustration and how to take advantage of immersive technologies.

In a recent survey, our postgraduate courses scored 91% student satisfaction for creativity and design, and 93% satisfaction overall*

*Source: Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2020

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  • Starts:
    Sep 2026
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Mode:
    Full-time
  • Fees:
    UK: £9,750 (2026/27) International: £18,500 (2026/27)

Why study this degree?

  1. Embrace the natural storyteller in you
  2. Explore cutting-edge storytelling and narrative methods
  3. Augment your understanding of immersive illustration technologies
  4. Supercharge your illustration business
  5. Tap into exceptional industry connections.

Throughout your MA Illustration course in London, you will explore the roles of illustration today and its wide-ranging professional applications moving forward. You will experiment across narrative and storytelling methods, which will enable you to present and reposition information in a strategic, accessible and  engaging fashion. 

You will examine complex knowledge, data and information and bring it to life with empathy, which will free you to tell stories that need to be told and ensure that no message is lost in translation. 

Join the new MA Illustration course where creative minds prosper. By taking on consultancy and organisational roles, as well as developing your own illustration practice, this master's programme is designed to make you truly industry ready. 

Teaching sessions for this course will take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 9pm. As such, the course may include some evening teaching.
 

The specifics

Entry requirements

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A lower second-class honours (a 2:2, or equivalent non-UK qualifications) or higher in a relevant subject, or an equivalent professional qualification in a related subject. You will also need to submit a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume.

If you are applying directly from an undergraduate degree course without experience or professional practice, you must be able to demonstrate a good knowledge of your chosen subject area.

International

If you have international qualifications, please view our entry requirements per country. Along with your academic qualifications, you will also need to submit a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume.

In order to be eligible for this course, you will need to be a competent speaker and writer of English. If you require a Student Visa you need to provide us with an IELTS or equivalent English language qualification, which demonstrates a minimum of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub test) or CEFR Level B2 in each component. Please read the English Language requirements or contact [email protected] for more information.

Selection criteria

We welcome suitably-qualified applicants who are able to demonstrate a good level of skills in areas associated with this subject. To get a holistic view of your ability and aptitude to succeed on the course, we will also consider your enthusiasm and interest in the subject area, how you manage the creative process, previous study and your professional skill-set.

Applications are welcome from a wide range of backgrounds and experience including from students who may not necessarily possess formal academic qualifications. It is important that applicants can demonstrate an aptitude for learning and continued professional development through a research-led approach. 

Interview and portfolio requirements

To prepare for your academic interview, please make sure you review your portfolio, CV, and personal statement. It is important that you know why you would like to study the course / programme and how this course can benefit you in the future. It is also worth doing researching a current industry that inspired you to do this course. Lastly, you should think about your aims or your area for research in both theory and practice if accepted on the Master's course. This is also a good opportunity for you to ask questions that you may have about the course.

Your portfolio can be accepted as a PDF uploaded to the applicant portal, or as a weblink. This should be a portfolio of work containing 6-8 final design solutions with accompanying research materials / sketches. We are looking for applicants that can demonstrate their creative thinking and problem-solving abilities as well as their technical skillsets within their work. Your portfolio must include only work that you have created and where any group projects are submitted you should identify your role in the project. Your portfolio should be a reflection of your journey thus far and also demonstrate your interests and your enthusiasm for your discipline.

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Student work

Colourful characters with speech bubbles. "If you eat all your broccoli you can have an ice cream".

Healthy eating for children 1, Emma Cheesman, 2023

Visual studies relating to healthy eating strategies/ resources for Children at Key Stage 1. 

hand drawn with words and phrases about sugar rush like "What goes up, must come down" and "sugar rush".

Healthy eating for children 2, Emma Cheesman, 2023

Visual studies relating to healthy eating strategies/ resources for Children at Key Stage 1 (ideation sheet). 

Drawings of fluff cats, clouds and stormy skies and winding string.

As long as you remember by Peng Teng Lei, 2023

Visual narrative studies, dealing with themes of Mental Health and Self- Care. 

Sketches of characters and pages from a graphic novel.

Dystopian Society by Alfie Bolton, 2023

Narrative related experimental studies in preparation for a graphic novel dealing with the theme of a dystopian society. 

A collection of digital illustrations.

Empress Nur Jahan by Subhashree Iyer, 2023

Studies for an educational related visual narrative dealing a Queen of the Mughal Dynasty.

Digital sketch and photomontage of a female figure. The photomontage has black bird wings and feathers for her hair with eyes in her clothes and the digital art is a lady held up by puppet strings.

H.P Lovecraft by Zenab Khan, 2023

Illustrative studies inspired by the work of H.P Lovecraft. 

16 colourful illustrations of nuns, churches, hills and driving in California.

‘The Sisters of the Immaculate Hearts’ by Rachel Harrison, 2023

Educational animation related frames dealing with the theme of ‘The Sisters of the Immaculate Hearts’ (Context: 1960s California). 

A collection of sketches, figures posing and putting on lipstick.

Drag Culture by Sasha Miller, 2023

Experimental illustrative studies relating to ‘Drag’ culture. 

Sketches of a landscape with mountains and trees.

Traditional Children’s Narratives Revisited, Sutton Belyea, 2023

Narrative/ information flow related experiments dealing with traditional child related stories/ tales. 

Children's story book covers. titled, "The third little pig built a fortress" and "Goldilocks is a troublemaker".

Traditional Children’s Narratives Revisited, Sutton Belyea, 2023

Narrative/ information flow related experiments dealing with traditional child related stories/ tales. 

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Facilities available on this course

Print shop at Ravensbourne University

Print shop at Ravensbourne University

Our Print Shop team will help you with all your printing needs. Whatever the size or material you want to work with, we can help. Bring your ideas up to scale with our large format printer and create printed designs for fabrics or textiles with our screen printing facilities.

Find out more.

 

woman sat working at imac suite

iMac suite at Ravensbourne

iMac suite at Ravensbourne University - ideal for design students and computing students.

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Student using the materials library

Materials library

The Ravensbourne materials library is curated by Material ConneXion, a business that introduces brands to the latest material innovations.

The materials scientists at Material ConneXion select innovative materials relevant to the courses at Ravensbourne and that reflect current trends in design and manufacturing.

Samples of these materials are then added to the library so students and staff can browse the physical collection for inspiration, material ideas and applications.

The library hosts 1,500 material samples and an interactive table for further research and access to the Material ConneXion database.

External visitor information

If you wish to come and see the materials library and have a short tour, please contact us to organise.

The materials library can be used by external students registered with the SCONUL access scheme.

Find out more.

Girl sitting in library

Library at Ravensbourne

The Ravensbourne University library has a large collection of print, online and multimedia resources available for staff and students to use.

Find out more.

Staff in the Kit Store

Kit Store at Ravensbourne

As a digital student, you'll need access to equipment relevant to your course that will support your learning.

The Kit Store provides a wide range of equipment that students can borrow to complete their projects. Staff can also borrow equipment to deliver their practical sessions. 

It houses a wide range of equipment from industry standard manufacturers, including cameras, audio, lighting, and more.

Staff at the Kit Store are trained in various relevant departments and are available to give advice on all the equipment within the store, to help you realise your project.

Find out more.

Interested in this course?

How to apply