Illustration MFA

Whether you have recently finished an undergraduate degree, or are returning to learning, this could be the postgraduate course for you. As a student on our Illustration MFA you will develop a deeper knowledge of your creative practice.You will be challenged to transcend barriers in both your thinking and your making. This will enable you to position your work in response to current issues such as de-colonisation, digital art and environmental concerns. Explore your own potential as a citizen of the world, understanding your creative work in terms of both ethics and social justice.

Throughout this course, you will be supported to build on your knowledge of practice through both material thinking and critical theory. This will underpin your studio practice and situate your work in the professional and scholarly field. As part of a supportive community of artists, you will be exposed to the opportunities of networking and working on live projects. 

Build on your knowledge of illustration through creative thinking and critical theory. Our lecturers and technicians will support your independent work. Your experience in professional and scholarly fields will become integral to your studio practice.

Special features of this course include:

• Guest speakers, technique classes and networking opportunities
• Access to specialist studios and workshop spaces
• National and international field trips
• Group exhibitions
• Opportunities to engage with staff research
• Opportunities to present your work at student symposiums

How you will study

This postgraduate course must be studied full time for 2 years.

You will study:

• 3 compulsory modules in year 1
• 2 compulsory modules in year 2

You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.

Modules

Teaching and learning

Our focus on professional experiences and project work means you will be a co-creator of your learning. We keep our group sizes small so we can get to know your creative personality and support your aspirations.

We recognise your status as a graduate student, and place a significant emphasis on independent learning, encouraging you to take responsibility for managing your own learning and its outcomes. Our Academic Support team can help with written English, study, research, and technology skills if needed.

We deliver your modules through:

• Workshops
• Studio sessions
• Group discussions
• Supervised projects
• Group crits
• Project work

Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Assessment

There are no formal examinations on this course. You will be assessed through live events and coursework, which will include:

• Portfolio work
• Exhibitions
• Presentation of visual works
• Written work

You will receive continuous informal feedback on works in progress through a combination of group crits, tutorials and peer to peer discussions.

Qualifications

If your degree is in an unrelated subject, but you can provide a strong portfolio, your application may still be considered.

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

Artist's statement

Before the interview, you will need to provide an artist's statement that explores your studio practice as a research activity. This must indicate how your work relates to comparable practices, as well as theories, contexts and ideas relevant to your practice. The statement should specify what kind of questions your practice will work to answer. A successful submission will also identify the experimental and rigorous processes you will use to answer them. (max 750 words). 

Your artist’s statement should be accompanied by a digital portfolio of work. With a focus on your recent practice, the portfolio should contain examples both finished work and document projects still in progress.  

Please provide captions with titles, dates and information about materials and dimensions or durations. Where necessary, give very brief descriptions that may help explain aspects of the work. You can include a link to your website along with the submitted portfolio. Please note that the work on your site cannot be considered as a replacement for the submission. 

Interview 

Entry onto this postgraduate course is subject to attending an interview.

At interview you will be asked to give a short presentation about your work, showing a selection of your portfolio and exploring your work's ideas.

We are happy to arrange interviews through Microsoft Teams for international students.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.

Terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.

UK 2024 entry

The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is:

• £4,400 for full time study

This cost applies to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

Funding opportunities

International 2024 entry

The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is:

• £14,000 for full time study

This cost applies to all students living outside the UK.

Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

International Fees and Funding

Tuition fees

Alumni Scholarships

If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.

Scholarships for alumni

Additional costs and financial support

Course-related costs

While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.

Accommodation and living costs

View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.

Where could Illustration MFA take you?

This course is designed to give you significant industry exposure to increase your opportunities for employment once you graduate. You will study specialist modules that require you to work with external partners in publishing, exhibitions, agencies and education. This will help you to establish networks and gain relevant experience with industry professionals. You will gain transferrable skills in creative problem solving as well as critical thinking, writing and presenting.

This will give you an advantage in careers such as:

• Illustrator
• Animator
• Storyboard artist
• Concept artist
• Graphic designer
• Visual and digital editor

Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.

Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £6,500 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree. (Department For Education Graduate Labour Market Report 2022)

Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:

• Employer events
• LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
• Workshops on application writing and interview skills
• Work experience and volunteering opportunities
• Personalised career advice

This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.