Illustration MA

Kingston University

United Kingdom, London Borough of Sutton

University RankQS Ranking

604

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Kingston University

United Kingdom , London Borough of Sutton

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Knights Park

Kingston School of Art

Knights Park

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines

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Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 21,800 / year(s)

Illustration MA

About

MA Illustration at Kingston School of Art takes a critical and research-led approach to image production and visual storytelling. Visual storytelling is understood in the broadest possible terms; making connections and building relationships between images, words, situations, objects, people and places. We are interested in the potential of research-led approaches to image production to generate knowledge, and we embrace process as a mode of meaning making. Students are supported to craft thoughtful, provoking and illuminating visual stories through a carefully curated programme of study that examines discipline specific notions of rigour, innovation, positioning and inclusivity.

The diverse positions and experiences our students bring to the course are integral to our key aim of examining and challenging existing illustrative practices by fostering knowledge and generating debate in relation to the challenges, ethics, and impact of visual representation globally across professional and public territories.

We align ourselves to SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy) a collective name for social sciences, humanities, and the arts, developed by the British Academy as a tool to tell the story of these subjects as a 'powerful and inclusive way to inform, illustrate and inspire people about the value of understanding our human world'.

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Typical offer

What you need to apply for this course

A 2:2 or above honours degree or equivalent qualification in illustration or animation or a related subject, such as fine art, graphic design, photography, printmaking, fashion or textiles.
Applicants with other academic qualifications, or relevant work experience, will be considered on an individual basis.
A portfolio of work must accompany your application which will be requested of you once an application has been submitted.

Portfolio guidance

We would like to understand more about you and your practice, as well as your aptitude and motivations for studying on this course. We will be reviewing your portfolio with four key values in mind: questioning, curiosity, technical ability, and enthusiasm. Your portfolio should demonstrate these values through your strengths, abilities and experiences in research, technical making, and the development of ideas through visual practice.

We are looking for your potential to succeed on the course and welcome applications from those with diverse experiences or educational backgrounds.

Your portfolio should include:

3-5 projects that evidence your research process, subject interests and projects realised to an outcome.

Digital portfolio format requirements

A portfolio of 15-20 pages, landscape orientation and saved/uploaded as a print-based or interactive PDF file. Include project titles and a brief description of each project explaining your intentions and your individual involvement if presenting a group project.
Moving image works should not exceed three minutes in total and should be uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube – please supply these links in your portfolio and make sure they are active and work on all platforms.
Please provide a personal statement of up to 300 words explaining:
- Your interest in the discipline of illustration
- Your interest in the course
- The wider social, cultural and political interests in your work
Ensure that images are of a high quality and at least 72 dpi.

Prior learning – AP(E)L

Applicants with prior qualifications and learning may be exempt from appropriate parts of a course in accordance with the University's policy for the assessment of prior learning and prior experiential learning. Contact the faculty office for further information.

International

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirement, which is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no element below 5.5. Make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from recognised majority English-speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country-specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Career

After you graduate

The course interprets professional activity across a broad spectrum. This ranges from established remits for illustration practice such as publishing and commissioned based work to emerging areas in research and public engagement. By approaching visual storytelling as a transmedia practice, students can work flexibly and responsively. We are interested, too, in the value of illustrative strategy beyond production. Project consultancy, direction and management, for example, is a key area for the application of skills in innovative storytelling.

Our graduates work in publishing, curation, exhibition, and engagement in the cultural sector and beyond. They also teach and lead higher education initiatives in the UK and internationally that develop the potential of how images can contribute to global culture and societies.