What Uni choice should I choose if I want to do some form of illustration?
I want to work as an illustrator for a company in the future. I'm meant to have chosen a university to do some form of art in by now, but I can't decide for the life of me. Here are the choices I'm considering (out of my 5):
University of the Arts London: Illustration
University of Oxford: Fine Art
University College London: Creative Arts and Humanities (I switched to Media shortly after writing this, but similar idea)
Right now, I'm deducting that
if I prioritised name, I'd go to Oxford
If I prioritised course, I'd go to UAL
If I prioritised student life and opportunities (I want to study abroad or have a placement year, etc), I'd go to UCL.
As you can probably guess, I've basically been in a perpetual cycle of trying to figure out where I'd want to go. Oxford by name alone is a viable choice, however I'd been there for an offer holder day and found my accommodation and student demographics underwhelming (I got Edmund Hall as a campus). They're also super traditional and theory based, which doesn't vibe with me whose a digital artist by heart.
UAL's courses speak to me as individual, but I haven't been to Camberwell (only CSM), so I don't know what it's like, and by name it would probably be the lowest of the 3 (I've been told that it's easier career-wise to go to a generally prestigious university than a uber-specific art school during undergraduate level).
UCL has the best opportunities, and the campus in Stratford was a great choice for me in terms of destination. But the courses don't specifically match for me (even after I switched).
I feel as if I'll end up regretting wherever I go, I sort of wish there was a uni that had everything I was looking for. But alas, I'm aware I'll probably have to compromise some matches for one uni or another. Knowing this, which university do you guys think I should take up?
University of the Arts London: Illustration
University of Oxford: Fine Art
University College London: Creative Arts and Humanities (I switched to Media shortly after writing this, but similar idea)
Right now, I'm deducting that
if I prioritised name, I'd go to Oxford
If I prioritised course, I'd go to UAL
If I prioritised student life and opportunities (I want to study abroad or have a placement year, etc), I'd go to UCL.
As you can probably guess, I've basically been in a perpetual cycle of trying to figure out where I'd want to go. Oxford by name alone is a viable choice, however I'd been there for an offer holder day and found my accommodation and student demographics underwhelming (I got Edmund Hall as a campus). They're also super traditional and theory based, which doesn't vibe with me whose a digital artist by heart.
UAL's courses speak to me as individual, but I haven't been to Camberwell (only CSM), so I don't know what it's like, and by name it would probably be the lowest of the 3 (I've been told that it's easier career-wise to go to a generally prestigious university than a uber-specific art school during undergraduate level).
UCL has the best opportunities, and the campus in Stratford was a great choice for me in terms of destination. But the courses don't specifically match for me (even after I switched).
I feel as if I'll end up regretting wherever I go, I sort of wish there was a uni that had everything I was looking for. But alas, I'm aware I'll probably have to compromise some matches for one uni or another. Knowing this, which university do you guys think I should take up?
Original post by thelilyopela
I want to work as an illustrator for a company in the future. I'm meant to have chosen a university to do some form of art in by now, but I can't decide for the life of me. Here are the choices I'm considering (out of my 5):
University of the Arts London: Illustration
University of Oxford: Fine Art
University College London: Creative Arts and Humanities (I switched to Media shortly after writing this, but similar idea)
Right now, I'm deducting that
if I prioritised name, I'd go to Oxford
If I prioritised course, I'd go to UAL
If I prioritised student life and opportunities (I want to study abroad or have a placement year, etc), I'd go to UCL.
As you can probably guess, I've basically been in a perpetual cycle of trying to figure out where I'd want to go. Oxford by name alone is a viable choice, however I'd been there for an offer holder day and found my accommodation and student demographics underwhelming (I got Edmund Hall as a campus). They're also super traditional and theory based, which doesn't vibe with me whose a digital artist by heart.
UAL's courses speak to me as individual, but I haven't been to Camberwell (only CSM), so I don't know what it's like, and by name it would probably be the lowest of the 3 (I've been told that it's easier career-wise to go to a generally prestigious university than a uber-specific art school during undergraduate level).
UCL has the best opportunities, and the campus in Stratford was a great choice for me in terms of destination. But the courses don't specifically match for me (even after I switched).
I feel as if I'll end up regretting wherever I go, I sort of wish there was a uni that had everything I was looking for. But alas, I'm aware I'll probably have to compromise some matches for one uni or another. Knowing this, which university do you guys think I should take up?
University of the Arts London: Illustration
University of Oxford: Fine Art
University College London: Creative Arts and Humanities (I switched to Media shortly after writing this, but similar idea)
Right now, I'm deducting that
if I prioritised name, I'd go to Oxford
If I prioritised course, I'd go to UAL
If I prioritised student life and opportunities (I want to study abroad or have a placement year, etc), I'd go to UCL.
As you can probably guess, I've basically been in a perpetual cycle of trying to figure out where I'd want to go. Oxford by name alone is a viable choice, however I'd been there for an offer holder day and found my accommodation and student demographics underwhelming (I got Edmund Hall as a campus). They're also super traditional and theory based, which doesn't vibe with me whose a digital artist by heart.
UAL's courses speak to me as individual, but I haven't been to Camberwell (only CSM), so I don't know what it's like, and by name it would probably be the lowest of the 3 (I've been told that it's easier career-wise to go to a generally prestigious university than a uber-specific art school during undergraduate level).
UCL has the best opportunities, and the campus in Stratford was a great choice for me in terms of destination. But the courses don't specifically match for me (even after I switched).
I feel as if I'll end up regretting wherever I go, I sort of wish there was a uni that had everything I was looking for. But alas, I'm aware I'll probably have to compromise some matches for one uni or another. Knowing this, which university do you guys think I should take up?
Which course is best for teaching you how to become a skilled illustrator?
Original post by ageshallnot
Which course is best for teaching you how to become a skilled illustrator?
Probably UAL, if I'm going by course-wise
Not Oxford if you want a career as a commercial artist! That course will be highly academic, heavy on art theory and the sort of course for people who want to become academics - at Oxford. And they wont be interested in anyone with a whiff of 'illustration' in their portfolio.
Look for courses at Art Schools that are more practical and have a placement / work experience - and have connections to publishers.
Illustration BA (Hons) | University for the Creative Arts (uca.ac.uk)
BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media | UAL (arts.ac.uk)
Illustration BA(Hons) (brighton.ac.uk)
Illustration BA(Hons) | Falmouth University
Etc
BA (Hons) Illustration Degree | Leeds Arts University (leeds-art.ac.uk)
Look for courses at Art Schools that are more practical and have a placement / work experience - and have connections to publishers.
Illustration BA (Hons) | University for the Creative Arts (uca.ac.uk)
BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media | UAL (arts.ac.uk)
Illustration BA(Hons) (brighton.ac.uk)
Illustration BA(Hons) | Falmouth University
Etc
BA (Hons) Illustration Degree | Leeds Arts University (leeds-art.ac.uk)
Original post by thelilyopela
Probably UAL, if I'm going by course-wise
Exactly. And see above.
To be honest I would say none of the above.
Take a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, have a fun year experimenting and exploring different media and reapply to more illustration courses at universities that you like.
One thing to look at would be the graduate shows this summer for courses of interest. Some illustration courses will have a “house style” that all students are expected to conform to, others will encourage you to develop your own style(s). Grad shows are a good way to get a feel for the styles and variety of work supported at different universities.
(A bit surprised that no one has mentioned AUB given they produced one of the most well known illustrators in the UK - albeit not many people know his name - the man who illustrates GBBO, although he now has his own studio providing the illustrations because there’s so many spin offs).
Placements are a bit hit and miss for illustration - it’s a freelance profession mainly so there aren’t many employers where you could get a meaningful placement. Better to look for courses that offer good support in building a professional portfolio and network and skills for freelancing.
Take a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, have a fun year experimenting and exploring different media and reapply to more illustration courses at universities that you like.
One thing to look at would be the graduate shows this summer for courses of interest. Some illustration courses will have a “house style” that all students are expected to conform to, others will encourage you to develop your own style(s). Grad shows are a good way to get a feel for the styles and variety of work supported at different universities.
(A bit surprised that no one has mentioned AUB given they produced one of the most well known illustrators in the UK - albeit not many people know his name - the man who illustrates GBBO, although he now has his own studio providing the illustrations because there’s so many spin offs).
Placements are a bit hit and miss for illustration - it’s a freelance profession mainly so there aren’t many employers where you could get a meaningful placement. Better to look for courses that offer good support in building a professional portfolio and network and skills for freelancing.
Original post by McGinger
Not Oxford if you want a career as a commercial artist! That course will be highly academic, heavy on art theory and the sort of course for people who want to become academics - at Oxford. And they wont be interested in anyone with a whiff of 'illustration' in their portfolio.
Look for courses at Art Schools that are more practical and have a placement / work experience - and have connections to publishers.
Illustration BA (Hons) | University for the Creative Arts (uca.ac.uk)
BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media | UAL (arts.ac.uk)
Illustration BA(Hons) (brighton.ac.uk)
Illustration BA(Hons) | Falmouth University
Etc
BA (Hons) Illustration Degree | Leeds Arts University (leeds-art.ac.uk)
Look for courses at Art Schools that are more practical and have a placement / work experience - and have connections to publishers.
Illustration BA (Hons) | University for the Creative Arts (uca.ac.uk)
BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media | UAL (arts.ac.uk)
Illustration BA(Hons) (brighton.ac.uk)
Illustration BA(Hons) | Falmouth University
Etc
BA (Hons) Illustration Degree | Leeds Arts University (leeds-art.ac.uk)
Suppose I should mention that I have offers from all the universities I'm considering
If you actually want to be employed, rather than self-employed (as most illustrators are) i'd suggest an illustration degree that also involves bits of graphic design. That will make you much more employable. Certainly one of the more practical/commercial illustration degrees, like Falmouth, Portsmouth, AUB, Norwich, Herts, Leeds Arts etc.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Official Art and Design Applicants Thread 2025
- Would I be wasting my potential if I didn’t study medicine?
- Good places to study Illustration in the UK?
- What CSM Fashion BA should I take for somebody that a multidisciplinary creative?
- Has anyone applied to USW? (Cardiff)
- Question about the best illustration degrees at uni
- Kingston or Camberwell for Illustration
- Graphics design or Chemistry course at Uni?
- Information on certain illustration BA courses
- I am stuck between choosing degrees
- art confusion
- Economics, business and law alevels?
- What A-levels should I take?
- Help for a level choices
- For those applying for Graphic Design, Illustration, Vis Com courses
- Referred to Content Creation by Brighton University
- Do UCAS points really matter?
- What is it like applying to Staffs Uni through Clearing?
- Art & Design Foundation Diploma FAQ
- UCAS Change Course After Offers (Kingston Uni)
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 month ago
what is the UAL uni experience like? should i really go there?Last reply 1 month ago
Art Foundation Diploma 2025 Personal Statememt help!! (UAL, Kingston, Oxford Brookes)
