About the course

MA Illustration offers a challenging synthesis of theory and practice for an international group of masters students.     

　　Students have individual work-spaces in which they explore contemporary issues and the living traditions of this subject. Research Proposals are written in the early weeks, describing ideas and contexts for individual projects. Students are guided in these proposals and they are also given set projects and collaborative tasks at various points of the academic year.   

　　Postgraduate study of this subject allows for a deeper analysis of themes and texts, and enables students to build innovative and focused portfolios. Often, these students will have ambitions for the professional sphere, or they may wish to pursue doctoral studies. In each case, there is a sustained level of research, allied to technical ways of working and conceptual thinking. There is a Life Drawing studio with a series of classes, and various digital clusters throughout the campus. The academic work naturally encapsulates traditional media and information technology. Theoretical work underpins all studio practice at many levels, and there is a series of visiting lecturers from the professional and academic worlds. We welcome a range of approaches to Illustration, and the ways in which this subject relates to design and the fine arts. Illustration Masters students have studios to Graphic Design, with which there is a natural affinity, and we have also collaborated with other academic subjects in ECA and the wider community of the University of Edinburgh. Current group projects have included exhibitions at the Scottish Parliament and Institut Français Écosse, a set of finely printed postcards depicting aspects of Edinburgh for the Heart of Midlothian project. There are field trips for drawing and visual research, with additional natural history projects. Recent collaborations have included the Edinburgh Filmhouse and various University publications. Additionally, there are competitions and opportunities to exhibit at points during the year. These include Penguin, the V&A, Folio Society, 3x3 and the Macmillan Children’s Book Competition.

　　The programme also includes working with writers, designers and publishers in collaboration and on live briefs.

　　Many of our postgraduates have their work published and our set projects evolve from year to year. These reflect contemporary developments in illustration and the graphic arts. For example, students have made work for:

　　the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

　　Edinburgh Filmhouse

　　the ECA Bookmarks symposium

　　In the studios, your work will be concerned with:

　　storytelling

　　documenting current events

　　fiction and non-fiction

　　visual complements to literature

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Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 1 Year(s)Fees: Not available

Intake	Location
Semester 1 (September), 2024	Edinburgh
Semester 1 (September), 2025	Edinburgh
Semester 1 (September), 2026	Edinburgh

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for University of Edinburgh

Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in illustration or a related subject that gives appropriate grounding for postgraduate study. You should demonstrate knowledge of the subject and its contemporary practice. You must submit a portfolio as part of your application. Your portfolio should contain examples of work that show an understanding and level of skill appropriate to the postgraduate study of illustration, including: observational drawing, colour, line, composition, idea development, awareness of narrative image-making and sequential image-making, awareness of print and applications of digital media, awareness of the professional practice and the cultural, context of historical and contemporary illustration. Applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds have successfully studied MA and MFA Illustration. If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of your portfolio and/or relevant professional experience.

　　IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)

　　TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 20 in each module)

　　

English language requirements

　　7.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 100.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomes

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　30th / 1250

　　THE World ranking12th / 130

　　Complete University guide

　　

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