Illustration with Foundation BA Honours

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £17,000 *
Duration 4 or 5 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.

Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.

Our foundation year in Art and Design is designed to provide you with an introduction to our range of subject areas, and to prepare you for the discipline of your choice. It will give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within the field. It begins in the first semester with the development of fundamental Art and Design skills, as well as practical exploration across all of the disciplines in our Art and Design foundation programme. In the second semester, you are encouraged to specialise in your own discipline and are supported at this stage by tutors from your host course. You will also benefit from workshops in our high-end facilities, and from working with leading academics who will encourage you to become a confident and creative thinker. Your practical development is accompanied by modules in both semesters on foundational academic skills – skills that will be essential as you progress to your chosen full degree.

On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to move on to study for the Illustration BA Honours degree for a further three years. 

On our Illustration BA you’ll find your distinctive creative voice and gain the skills you need to transform your passion for design into a successful career.

Develop your unique creative voice and transform your passion into a successful visual arts career. Experiment with various production practices, combining traditional drawing with emerging digital techniques. Access facilities for Printmaking, Metalwork, Casting, Laser-cutting, Textiles, 3D Printing, Digital software, and interactive AR/VR/MR technologies.

Join our tight-knit creative community at Harrow campus. Converse with leading Illustration professionals about your work and develop confidence as an Illustration practitioner. Participate in critical discussions on the future of Illustration and engage with London's vibrant creative culture. Benefit from our course membership with the renowned Association of Illustrators.

Build your credentials and identity with flexible opportunities for short-term or year-long work placements to gain valuable industry experience. Work with clients through our award-winning employment network, WeNetwork. Showcase your talent at the Degree Show and the New Designers’ creative talent London showcase.

Your creative career starts here!

Top reasons to study with us

  • We see you. Our course community’s objective is to inclusively support individual learners wherever their ambitions take them.
  • Advanced, accessible and spacious facilities supporting drawing, printmaking, photography, animation, 3D fabrication, textiles, interactive, film, and digital processes. Futureproof your career with critical and practical understanding of new technologies. Network with students from other creative courses in these spaces.
  • Conversation with active, supportive, practitioners across the creative industries to give you feedback on your work and expand your thinking about the future of Illustration and your opportunities.
  • Harrow campus, the dynamic creative hub of the University of Westminster is also just 20 minutes from London’s expansive cultural experience of galleries, museums, creative institutes and entertainments. · 
  • Build your employment intelligence and confidence with our award-winning employment network WeNetwork, our Careers and Employability Service, and our course membership with the renowned Association of Illustrators.
  • Be seen by industry and future employers at Harrow Campus’ purpose-built Gallery West and London’s creative talent showcase New Designers.

Course structure

Each year you’ll study core modules and choose from a varied range of optional modules. You’ll learn through a dynamic mix of formats including individual tutorials, student-led studio classes, group work, presentations, technical sessions, online training and lectures. In project work, you’ll collaborate with students from your course and others, helping you to build vital teamworking skills.

You’ll also get to hear talks from visiting artists, take part in workshops led by industry experts, and go on frequent trips into central London to exhibitions and design fairs.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Subjects of study include (across 5 core modules): 

  • Art and Design Explorations
  • Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
  • Introduction to Academic Practice
  • Making and Modelling
  • Seeing and Doing

There are no optional or elective modules offered at Level 3, as the focus is on the development of key academic skills through a broad understanding of Media and Design

Credit Level 3

Explore, and experiment with, a variety of techniques and conceptual approaches in image-making and Illustration. With a focus on drawing and image-making to develop your visual and critical skills, play with and reflect on ranging techniques and applications: digital art; printmaking; animation; design and graphic mark-making.

Study Modules:

  • Creative Technology and Design
  • Documentary Illustration
  • Illustration: Contexts and Cultures
  • Visual Messaging and Communication
  • Drawing Exploration
  • Your Choice of one Option Module from: Typography, 2D Games Development, and 2D Computer Animation.

Credit Level 4

Begin to identify possibilities for your own creative direction. While continuing to improve your visual and critical skills you will work on projects which reflect the kind of briefs you’ll find in industry. With guidance begin to customise your learning through self-defined projects and optional modules to further direct and develop your own creative identity and career choices. This includes considering the option for your next academic year as ‘study abroad’ or ‘work placements’.

Study Modules:

  • Visual Storytelling
  • Contextualised Practice
  • Image-making Systems
  • Collaborative Practice
  • Your Choice of one Option Module from: UX/UI Design, Brands, Extended Reality, and Concepting for Games.
  • Your Choice of either one more Option Module or a University Elective Module.

Credit Level 5

As an extra option to your degree you can choose to take advantage of either: studying abroad or completing relevant work placements. Either choice is credited as an extra full year of academic study.

Study Module:

  • Work Placement: Gain industry experience as part of your degree. Support is given from the ‘Work-Placement’ staff team in Year 2 to help you identify and apply for relevant work placements. These extra credits entitle you to the degree award of ‘Illustration with Work Experience’.

or

  • Study Abroad: Gain international experience as part of your degree. Support is given from the ‘Study Abroad’ staff team in Year 2 to help you identify and apply for relevant study programmes at one of our Exchange Partner Institutions. These extra credits entitle you to the degree award of ‘Illustration with International Experience’.

Credit Level 5

Focus on the direction of your graduate occupation by proposing, developing, and completing a self-defined Major Illustration Project. Complement your learning programme with optional modules that build on your creative strengths and professional direction. Showcase your talent at Gallery West for your Degree Show at Harrow campus and again at the ‘New Designers’ London Exhibition of emerging creative talent.

Study Modules:

  • Professional Practice
  • Sustainable Illustration Practice
  • Illustration Major Project (double credit module)
  • Your Choice of one Option Module from: Digital Arts, Entrepreneurship, Designing Narrative Environments, and Contextual Research.
  • Your Choice of either one more Option Module or a University Elective Module.

Credit Level 6

Illustration at Westminster

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Illustration offers a wide range of career paths. You can work as a freelance artist, providing illustrations for clients across different professional sectors or you can join a company or agency where you collaborate with other creative professionals. Opportunities continue in publishing, advertising, packaging, fashion, design, gaming, film, animation, TV, music, and more. Our graduates work across diverse sectors including educational, therapeutic, curatorial and editorial roles, in fact anywhere an image is needed. New roles and career prospects appear as communication and digital technologies evolve. And as a creative graduate the problem-solving, entrepreneurial skills you learn opens even more doors. 

Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential and has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Successful alumni

Alumni include Jim Kay, illustrator for the Harry Potter books and Paul Vincett, puppet maker for X-Men: First Class.

Westminster Enterprise Network

This hub gives students access to workshops, business advice and project work with well-known companies.

3,000

Employers around the world

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has a network of over 3,000 employers around the world.

Industry links

Opportunities to gain an industry perspective form a fundamental part of your course. You will be taught by active practitioners who ensure that what you learn reflects the needs of today’s creative industries.

You can choose to undertake placements, internships and work experience, and to respond to briefs from organisations that in the past have included the BBC, National Health Service, Hayward Gallery, Penguin and Creative Conscience. Our Westminster Enterprise Network gives you access to expert-led workshops, training, networking events, business advice and work experience opportunities.

Job roles 

This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas including:

  • Animator
  • Art director
  • Art therapist (requiring further training)
  • Company manager
  • Event manager
  • Graphic designer
  • Illustrator – editorial illustration/decorative merchandising and interiors, branding and promotion, visual effects, concept art
  • Museum/gallery curator
  • Teaching (requiring further training)

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

  • ORCA
  • National Portrait Gallery
  • The Artworks
  • Tate Gallery
  • WildBrain Spark
  • Guinness Partnership
  • Trafalgar Strategy
  • BAMBI
  • ProAmpac
  • CULT – LDN + NYC
  • Grafik magazine

The clients our alumni have worked for include:

  • New Balance
  • Barbour
  • ITV
  • Saatchi & Saatchi
  • Nike
  • Harley Davidson
  • The Guardian
  • British Museum
  • Design Museum
  • Marks & Spencer

Our alumni

Our course alumni have progressed to many different careers, including:

  • Anna Reynolds - Studio and Communications Manager at A Practice for Everyday Life, Designer and Assistant to Mike Radcliffe, and Staff Writer for Grafik
  • Ben Jennings – Satirical illustrator – the Guardian, New Statesman, i Newspaper
  • Diyala Muir – Animator - winner of the Best Student Film at British Animation Awards 2018
  • Dominique Duong - is an illustrator and comic artist working in London, UK. Since her career began, her work has been published by SelfMadeHero, Discord Comics and Limit Break Comics, among others. She’s one of Broken Frontier’s Six Small Press Creators to Watch of 2020 and her comic The Dog & The Cat was nominated for an Ignatz Award.
  • Chris Tichborne – Bafta award winning animator / director - Corpse bride, Coraline, Fantastic Mr Fox, Rupert Bear, Postman Pat, Bob the Builder, Bafta award for the Clangers
  • Davinia Gregory - Assistant Professor at Teachers College Columbia University - research in material culture studies, Caribbean studies
  • Grace Russell - Illustrator and winner of the student V&A Illustration Award 2014
  • Hannah Gillingham – Illustrator and artist that has created artwork for a wide range of clients including Disney, Lucasfilm, Marvel, 20th Century Studios, Universal Pictures, Spotify, Adult Swim, Amazon Music, Arrow Video, RSPB, Boehringer Ingelheim and have also contributed to several pop culture group exhibitions in the UK.
  • Hiroko Uemoto - Graphic Designer - Paldas, Japan
  • Jim Kay -  Illustrator and concept artist for books, TV and film (Illustrator for Harry Potter books)
  • Josey Senoy - Illustrator and Surface Designer. Clients include British Museum, Design Museum, Historical Royal Palaces, Imperial War Museum, Somerset House, Anthropologie, Marks & Spencer
  • Kaishi Yamaguchi - Graphic and Web Designer, Guanabana Restaurants
  • Marcelina Amelia - Painter, printmaker, illustrator. Featured in publications including Booooooom, Bomb, Art Maze, Create Magazine, Digital Arts, Vogue, Refinery29, The NY Times, Der Spiegel, Ballad Of Magazine. Saatchi Art's featured 'Artist in Spotlight' in 2018
  • Mateusz Gidaszewski - Head of art and design dept for Vopulus – healthcare education
  • Megg Wilford - Graphic Designer and Art Director creating content for the music, fashion and lifestyle industries. Clients include: New Balance, Barbour, ITV
  • Michael William Lester – Illustrator and animator - ‘Beginners’ creative studio
  • Miles Lauterwasser - Limited Editions Co-ordinator, Tate Gallery
  • Paul Vincett - Character Designer, Puppet/costume and prop maker for film and theatre. Film credits include: X-Men: First Class, Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, Thor 2, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and Beauty and the Beast. Theatre credits include: His Dark Materials, War Horse, and Shakespeare's Globe’s Gabriel
  • Raphael O'Selle - Brand Designer for Guinness Partnership
  • Sam Hawkins and Seb Chaloner (aka illustration duo MysteryMeat) – illustration, graphic design, art direction for Adam & Eve, Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, The Corner, Pablo, WCRS, Mother. The new Your Times, The Sunday Times, TFL, Droga5NYC, Esquire
  • Solomon Tremowo – CEO of Playerium – games and moving image design studio
  • Sophie Smiles – Visual Facilitator and Film-maker shortlisted for the prestigeous ‘Rain Dance Film Festival’ 2023 awards for ‘Best Animation Short’.
  • Stephanie Alexander Jinks – Director, The Artworks Illustration Agency
  • Tim Mcdonagh - Illustrator - Clients: Nike, Penguin, HMV, Virgin, Harley Davidson, Ryanair, Hodder & Stoughton, New Scientist, Wired; Vibe, Variety, CNBC
  • Tiziana Federica Ruiu - Concept Artist for the Entertainment Industry (movies and games) Tiziana works as a professional artist, focused on illustration, concept art, animation and 3D modelling.
  • Underway Studio Collective - Founded by alumni Aiden Barefoot, Anna Schmidt, Caitlin Parks and Melissa North, Underway is an illustration and printmaking collective based in Brixton, South London. As a collective they sell their artwork and provide printmaking workshops.

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leaders

Emma Dodson's profile photo

On the Illustration BA we nurture your individual creativity and encourage an open, explorative approach to image making practice.

Emma Dodson

Senior Lecturer

An alumna of the University of Westminster’s Illustration course herself, Emma has spent three decades freelancing as a painter, puppet/prop maker and occasional art director for film and TV. Notable films she has worked on include Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Captain America, Hugo, Wolfman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Chocolat, Evita and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

Emma also writes, illustrates and designs novelties for children’s picture books. Her work has been published by Walker Books, Hachette, Templar, Scholastic, Barrons, Candlewick Press, and A&C Black.

Emma teaches across a range of disciplines and practice-based areas of illustration and visual communication.
 

More about meSee full profile of Emma Dodson

Peter Dukes

Principal Lecturer

Peter Dukes is a Principal Lecturer in Westminster School of Arts, University of Westminster, and a course leader for the Art and Design Foundation year. He studied Fine Art at Central St Martins and the Royal College of Art, and was Course Leader for BA Contemporary Media Practice from 2006 to 2016. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is currently School Senior Tutor for Westminster School of Arts.

His work engages with a variety of media and is interdisciplinary in nature, spanning visual arts and literature. He has shown nationally and internationally in a visual arts context, published work in literary magazines, as well as creating online moving image, textual and interactive media art.

More about meSee full profile of Peter Dukes
Peter Dukes profile's profile photo

Our Foundation programme challenges you to develop your creative skills across all of our disciplines, helping you gain the confidence and experience to succeed on your chosen degree.

Course Team

Our tutors have extensive experience across illustration, fine art filmmaking and curation. The course team has expertise in children’s book illustration, prop making for film and TV, drawing, textile/printmaking, animation and filmmaking for companies such as the BBC. Tutors continue to work in the industry alongside their teaching duties, ensuring that you learn the latest commercial practice and thinking.

Why study this course?

Professional insights

Industry professionals and our alumni visit regularly to talk to students about their future careers.

Collaborative learning

Opportunities to work with students from other courses including film, fashion, music, fine art photography and journalism.

Industry-standard facilities

Facilities for everything from large-scale work to traditional figure drawing, printmaking to green screen work.

Entry Requirements

  • A Levels – DD (48 UCAS Tariff points)
  • T levels – 48 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 48 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – PPP
  • BTEC Diploma – MP
  • Access – 48 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have: 

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C - IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths Pass - IB Pass

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combinations of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

Portfolio guidance

Number of recommended portfolio pieces. 

We are very interested in your potential as a student, and in support of your application we ask you to prepare a visual portfolio of 10 (minimum) to 15 (maximum) images of art, design or media work to reflect your course of interest.

What should I include in my portfolio submission?

  • We accept drawing and painting, graphic design and illustration, photography, printmaking and digital prints, sculpture and installations, moving image, 3D and product design.
  • Film, video and animation files should be uploaded on YouTube or similar website and links should be provided as part of your Portfolio.
  • If you include moving image, then there should be a maximum of 3 video files – and each file must be no longer than 3 minutes duration. Please ensure that all files are in common formats, e.g. PDF; Word, .DOCX, etc.

Please add some commentary to your Portfolio so that we can see your thinking and ability to evaluate your work.

How should I structure my portfolio?

Please compile all items of your portfolio into a single file (preferably PDF), or you may wish to create a simple portfolio website, and send us the link. Some DOs and DON’Ts:

  • DO provide a single PDF file uploaded to our system. If your file is too large try reducing the file size or upload to Google Drive or DropBox and upload the link to your file instead.
  • DO make an online portfolio website on Wix, Blogger or similar with link uploaded to our system, if you prefer this format rather than an uploaded file.
  • DON’T upload your portfolio to our system as many separate files – this makes it difficult for us to view your work.
  • DON’T use any platform that requires log-in, password, or an account to view – for example Tumblr, Instagram.

To submit your portfolio work as a link, please save the hyperlink in a word/PDF file and then upload this document to our systems as instructed by our admissions team. Be sure to make that link accessible to us.    

How will my portfolio be evaluated?

We actively seek to recruit a diverse group of students, some with more and some with less previous art and design experience. We are interested most of all in your potential and your enthusiasm for creative practical work.

In your portfolio we are looking for:

  • Creativity and Originality - We are looking for work that reflects your individual style and ideas.
  • Technical Skills - Demonstrate your abilities and potential in your chosen specialism/s.
  • Passion and Potential for Growth -  Show your passion and potential for growth while on our Foundation and your chosen degree discipline.

You may be invited to an interview to discuss your portfolio.  We are keen that you use this process to help us to understand you as an individual, including your skills, your inspirations and current expertise.

What happens next?

After your interview / portfolio review, the programme team will make a decision about your suitability for the Foundation programme. They'll communicate this with the admissions team, who will let you know the result.

Top Tip from our course team 

We want to see work that you are proud of, and which demonstrates your creative potential and individual ideas. This is much more important than polished work that looks like something else you have seen. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and show us what you have strived to learn and create.

Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.

  • International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
  • We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications.  Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
  • We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster.  Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

English language requirements

  • If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments.  Find out more at English language requirements.
  • If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

More information

Portfolio guidance

Number of recommended portfolio pieces. 

We are very interested in your potential as a student, and in support of your application we ask you to prepare a visual portfolio of 10 (minimum) to 15 (maximum) images of art, design or media work to reflect your course of interest.

What should I include in my portfolio submission?

  • We accept drawing and painting, graphic design and illustration, photography, printmaking and digital prints, sculpture and installations, moving image, 3D and product design.
  • Film, video and animation files should be uploaded on YouTube or similar website and links should be provided as part of your Portfolio.
  • If you include moving image, then there should be a maximum of 3 video files – and each file must be no longer than 3 minutes duration. Please ensure that all files are in common formats, e.g. PDF; Word, .DOCX, etc.

Please add some commentary to your Portfolio so that we can see your thinking and ability to evaluate your work.

How should I structure my portfolio?

Please compile all items of your portfolio into a single file (preferably PDF), or you may wish to create a simple portfolio website, and send us the link. Some DOs and DON’Ts:

  • DO provide a single PDF file uploaded to our system. If your file is too large try reducing the file size or upload to Google Drive or DropBox and upload the link to your file instead.
  • DO make an online portfolio website on Wix, Blogger or similar with link uploaded to our system, if you prefer this format rather than an uploaded file.
  • DON’T upload your portfolio to our system as many separate files – this makes it difficult for us to view your work.
  • DON’T use any platform that requires log-in, password, or an account to view – for example Tumblr, Instagram.

To submit your portfolio work as a link, please save the hyperlink in a word/PDF file and then upload this document to our systems as instructed by our admissions team. Be sure to make that link accessible to us.    

How will my portfolio be evaluated?

We actively seek to recruit a diverse group of students, some with more and some with less previous art and design experience. We are interested most of all in your potential and your enthusiasm for creative practical work.

In your portfolio we are looking for:

  • Creativity and Originality - We are looking for work that reflects your individual style and ideas.
  • Technical Skills - Demonstrate your abilities and potential in your chosen specialism/s.
  • Passion and Potential for Growth -  Show your passion and potential for growth while on our Foundation and your chosen degree discipline.

You may be invited to an interview to discuss your portfolio.  We are keen that you use this process to help us to understand you as an individual, including your skills, your inspirations and current expertise.

What happens next?

After your interview / portfolio review, the programme team will make a decision about your suitability for the Foundation programme. They'll communicate this with the admissions team, who will let you know the result.

Top Tip from our course team 

We want to see work that you are proud of, and which demonstrates your creative potential and individual ideas. This is much more important than polished work that looks like something else you have seen. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and show us what you have strived to learn and create.

Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.

Westminster Degree Shows

The Westminster Degree Shows are an annual collection that showcases the creativity, vibrancy and artistic talent of our undergraduate arts courses. You can see the latest online collection on Westminster Degree Shows.

Banner text: Westminster Degree Shows 2023

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

Basic art and studio materials are provided, but you may need to pay for some specialist art materials. The University provides Adobe CC software, and we advise that it’s preferable to have your own laptop. 
If you are unsure about what to purchase, our technical support team can advise you once you have enrolled. 

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

Basic art and studio materials are provided, but you may need to pay for some specialist art materials. The University provides Adobe CC software, and we advise that it’s preferable to have your own laptop. 
If you are unsure about what to purchase, our technical support team can advise you once you have enrolled. 

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Facilities

The course provides dedicated studio accommodation for each cohort with both collaborative and individual workspace.

Studios are equipped with computers, photocopiers, printers and scanners for IT and digital production. The studios are open 5 days a week, 8am–8pm with some studios and the campus library open for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our facilities provide multiple approaches to practice and include photography, animation, painting, drawing, printmaking, textile printing, 3D digital printing, laser cutting, high-end inkjet printing, digital imaging, three-dimensional design construction, ceramics, woodwork, metalwork and casting.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
Year
F
25%Scheduled hours75%Independent study0% Placement
Year
1
27%Scheduled hours73%Independent study0% Placement
Year
2
21%Scheduled hours79%Independent study0% Placement
Year
P
1%Scheduled hours0% Independent study99%Placement
Year
3
8%Scheduled hours92%Independent study0% Placement
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
Year
F
0% Written exams4%Practical96%Coursework
Year
1
0% Written exams25%Practical75%Coursework
Year
2
0% Written exams9%Practical91%Coursework
Year
P
0% Written exams0% Practical100%Coursework
Year
3
0% Written exams0% Practical100%Coursework
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.

Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.

For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

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Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

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