Illustration Animation BA (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Animation, film and photography
- Graphic design and illustration
- Undergraduate
Begin your career in illustration and animation with the Illustration Animation BA (Hons) degree course from Kingston University. We are ranked Top 10 in the UK for Art & Design (The Complete University Guide 2026).
You are reading:
Combine illustration with animation to find your unique vision
Built around drawing, the course is carefully structured to develop your individual voice.
We encourage learning through making, so you will have access to all our workshops to test and prototype. This means you can use any process, from etching, ceramics and arc welding to laser cutting, 3D printing and large-scale textile printing.
This course produces top graduates who go on to work at the best creative agencies and companies globally, such as Cartoon Network, Nexus, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Blink, Moth Studio and Google.
Graphic design and illustration at Kingston School of Art
Graphic design continually evolves with consumer needs and technology. Hear how our students are telling their story through graphic design at Kingston School or Art.
Student work
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Tough, a series by Jennifer Zheng
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Why choose this course
Illustration has expanded from the traditional printed page to many other forms of visual media, including digital objects and interaction, spaces and environments. Animation as a time-based medium allows exploration from traditional to hybrid domains, like film and television, and virtual and augmented reality.
The Illustration Animation BA (Hons) - the UK's first degree in Illustration Animation - at Kingston School of Art combines narrative and time-based subjects to provide complete creative freedom to engage in visual thinking, expression and communication.
The course includes self-initiated and group-based assignments and presentations, with self-reflective and critical discourse encouraged. Individual practice is built and tested by peer group interaction. This breadth ensures students develop the range of skills essential to contemporary practice in all forms of applied image making.
Projects with industry, cultural and social institutions test and shape students’ understanding in real-world situations. Staff practitioners and alumni networks offer insight and contacts with international creative practice, including studio visits and placements, to ensure you’re industry-ready at graduation.
The Complete University Guide 2026 ranks us in the Top 10 in the UK for Art & Design – covers Fashion, Fashion Promotion and Communication, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration Animation, Interior Design, and Product and Furniture Design.
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and labs are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course content
Throughout the course you'll gain an understanding of text, image, narrative and sequence. We build strong observational skills through drawing as a basis for your development and equip you with the necessary techniques to realise your creative ambition.
Each level is made up of four modules each worth 30 credit points. Typically, a student must complete 120 credits at each level.
Year 1
Year 1 encourages an open-minded and exploratory approach to illustration animation. You'll be introduced to idea development, visual research, and image and content relationships. Drawing, animation, digital crafts, presentation techniques, life drawing and location workshops are all taught.
There is an optional field trip to destinations such as New York, Berlin or Florence. Eligible students will be supported with a travel bursary.
Core modules
30 credits
Studio: Introductory Principles introduces the nature of studio practice for Illustration Animation at Level 4. It continues in Studio: Practice and Purpose upon progression to Level 5. Studio practice for Illustration Animation has come to not only describe a practice of creative making but also one of cognition, thinking and reasoning. The illustrator animator's knowledge is not only contained in the hands or in the manipulation of materials, it is present in their perceptive, questioning and empathetic approach to subject matter. Practices are now expansive, as illustrator animators extend and shift their works to assume new roles and responsibilities.
30 credits
Process: Materials and Methods introduces the tools, processes and technologies used within illustration animation practice at Level 4. It continues in Process: Technologies and Application upon progression to Level 5. Whilst contemporary illustration animation practice is conceptualised, constructed and used within an expanding set of conditions, as a discipline, it continues to be, informed by technological advancements; printing, digital publishing, screen-based platforms, virtual realities, etc. These modules address how the illustrator animator interrogates subject matter through the process of creative making, and investigates how to apply tools, processes and technologies through active engagement. Visual experimentation, prototyping, testing through making and questioning of the properties and possibilities of materials are familiar examples of this practice in action.
30 credits
This module introduces the importance of forming and nurturing relationships as part of a creative practice. It continues in Presentation: Audience and Context upon progression to Level 5. In asking how we live and work together, these modules address ways that the illustrator animator can be active in the world. The process of connecting things and establishing relationships, be this with issues, people or contexts, is presented as central to illustration animation practice. Through independent thinking, collaboration and interdisciplinarity students develop an understanding of audience and begin to establish a critical and cultural position within the expansive global creative industries.
30 credits
Image & Text introduces how we think critically about the history of illustration animation, and how the knowledge produced can inform practice. This module addresses the categories and concepts, frameworks and tools used to understand illustration animation, how it has evolved, and how its histories interweave with those of film, graphic design, fine art and other disciplines. As part of this, we ask fundamental questions about how history is told and taught and what kinds of knowledge are valued and centred.
The first part of the module examines the dominant ways histories of illustration animation have been constructed, and how we might challenge Euro/Western-centric perspectives. The second part considers how we can look at the diverse themes, platforms, and media of illustration animation through different theoretical frames that speak to different ways of knowing.
Year 2
Year 2 enables you to explore different ways of communicating your ideas. You'll learn how to critically challenge subjects and develop your personal direction. You'll work on set and self-initiated projects, developing your ability to create effective solutions.
Core modules
30 credits
Process: Technologies and Application develops and supports an individual approach to the tools, processes and technologies used within illustration animation practice at Level 5. It follows Process: Materials and Methods at Level 4. Whilst contemporary illustration animation practice is conceptualised, constructed and used within an expanding set of conditions. Its emergence as a discipline has, and will continue to be, informed by technological advancements; printing, digital publishing, screen-based platforms, virtual realities, etc. These modules address how the illustrator animator interrogates subject matter through the process of creative making, and investigates how to apply tools, processes and technologies through active engagement. Visual experimentation, prototyping, testing through making and questioning of the properties and possibilities of materials are familiar examples of this practice in action.
30 credits
Presentation: Audience and Context develops and supports individual approaches to the forming and nurturing relationships as part of a creative practice. It follows Presentation: Collaboration and Communication at Level 4 and continues in Presentation: Professional Practice upon progression to Level 6. In asking how we live and work together, these modules address ways that the illustrator animator can be active in the world. The process of connecting things and establishing relationships, be this with issues, people or contexts, is presented as central to illustration animation practice. Through independent thinking, collaboration and interdisciplinarity students develop an understanding of audience and establish a critical and cultural position within the expansive and global creative industries.
30 credits
Studio: Practice and Purpose develops and supports individual approaches to studio practice for Illustration Animation at Level 5. It follows Studio: Introductory Principles at Level 4 and continues in Studio: Practice and Realisation upon progression to Level 6. Studio practice for Illustration Animation has come to not only describe a practice of creative making but also one of cognition, thinking and reasoning. The illustrator animator's knowledge is not only contained in the hands or in the manipulation of materials, it is also present in their perception, questioning and empathetic approach to subject matter. Practices are now expansive, as illustrator animators extend and shift their works to assume new roles and responsibilities.
30 credits
Building on the historical and thematic content introduced at Level 4, this module focuses on the theorisation of discipline-specific issues arising in the contemporary practices of animation and illustration. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, screenings and relevant fieldwork visits, you will deepen your knowledge of your discipline. At the same time you will develop your own emerging research interests and independent visual and academic research skills common to historical and theoretical studies and design practice.
With a focus on the development and intertextuality of visual narrative forms in the structuring of meaning, the module applies this understanding to contemporary case studies. Lectures and seminars will deepen critical and theoretical engagement with current issues through appropriate case studies and bodies of interpretative material. Workshop tasks and assessments are carefully designed to foreground projects that support your understanding of your own discipline within the wider context of design practice. Appropriate research methods are introduced through practical activities that reflect on issues arising in the module's contemporary content and that are developed through your independent research into an area of your own choosing.
Year 3
Year 3 focuses on the development and resolution of a personal practice, with an awareness of professional contexts. A series of set and live assignments will inform your self-initiated extended project. Helping you with your individual presentation will be industry research and engagement combined with web, portfolio, showreel and curatorial workshops.
Core modules
60 credits
Studio: Practice and Realisation nurtures autonomous studio practice for Illustration Animation at Level 6. It follows Studio: Practice and Purpose at Level 5. Studio practice for Illustration Animation has come to not only describe a practice of creative making but also one of cognition, thinking and reasoning. The illustrator animator's knowledge is not only contained in the hands or in the manipulation of materials, it is also present in their perception, questioning and empathetic approach to subject matter. Practices are now expansive, as illustrator animators extend and shift their works to assume new roles and responsibilities.
30 credits
Presentation: Professional Practice supports self-reliance in forming and nurturing relationships as part of a creative practice. It follows Presentation: Audience and Context at Level 5. In asking how we live and work together, these modules address ways that the illustrator animator can be active in the world. The process of connecting things and establishing relationships, be this with issues, people or contexts, is presented as central to illustration animation practice. Through independent thinking, collaboration and interdisciplinarity students develop an understanding of audience and establish a critical and cultural position within the expansive and global creative industries.
15 credits
This module supports an extended research project that deepens your understanding of critical issues relevant to your practice. You’ll explore a topic of your choosing, framed by questions emerging from your own design work and informed by relevant theory, history, or cultural context. Working independently and with tutor support, you’ll undertake rigorous enquiry using appropriate research methods and sources. Through this process, you’ll build your ability to reflect critically, argue persuasively, and contribute to contemporary discourse in interaction design.
15 credits
This module gives you a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes.
At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile. You will determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. In this process, you will be supported by a dedicated career coach, helping you explore a range of options that includes self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional graduate-level opportunities. Throughout the module, you will be given opportunities to engage with external mentors, to support reflection and to develop a professional network.
You will undertake a tailored series of activities and projects, aligned to your goals, from a menu of development options. This could include short courses, enrichment activities and experiential learning options such as micro-placements. You will also be able to reflect on activities outside the University that develop your graduate attributes, such as work or volunteering.
Optional year
You'll have the opportunity to spend a fourth year abroad, undertake a work placement, or even combine both.
Student work
Animation, film and photography at Kingston School of Art
Discover the collaborative atmosphere at Kingston School of Art, where academics encourage film, animation and photography students to value the skills they have and understand how to advocate for themselves in their future careers.
International students: direct application
Are you an international student? Have you decided Kingston is the place for you? If so, you can apply for this course directly, rather than having to go through UCAS.
What career opportunities does this course offer?
The course has an excellent reputation for nurturing graduates who go on to be leading practitioners in illustration and animation, as well as design, direction and a broad range of creative careers.
Our graduates are employed worldwide in roles including freelance illustration and image makers for magazines and newspapers, book publishers, film and TV production companies, and advertising and design groups. Some pursue careers in animation, games, multimedia, special effects and design for film and TV. Others pursue postgraduate study in the UK or overseas.
Exceptional achievements by Kingston School of Art students mean our students enjoy a reputation for innovation and creativity. Achievements include awards from BAFTA, the Design and Art Direction Student Awards, the Macmillan Prize, the Penguin Student Design Award, the World Illustration Awards and the Royal Television Society Awards.
Future Skills
Our Future Skills programme is embedded within all our undergraduate courses and throughout the whole Kingston experience. These skills will help you to become a future-proof graduate by equipping you with the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills. You’ll also understand how to demonstrate and articulate to employers how these future skills give you the edge.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
It may also include critiques, project work, studio practice and performance, digital labs, workshops, and placements.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 40% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 33% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 32% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
- Year 2: Coursework 100%
- Year 3: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £10,050* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2027/28): | £To be confirmed |
| Year 2 (2028/29): | £To be confirmed |
| Year 3 (2029/30): | £To be confirmed |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK):
Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
International students:
Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,790* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2026/27): | £21,400 |
| Year 2 (2027/28): | £22,300 |
| Year 3 (2028/29): | £23,200 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK):
Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
International students:
Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,535* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £19,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £20,300 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £21,100 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames and Norbiton.
Some courses may require professional memberships.
There may be costs for participating in external shows and exhibitions. For example, you could incur travel costs, which will vary according to the location.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Student work
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Nim Longley
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Eden Bakker
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Lauren Christian
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Yue Wang
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Cicely Pilkington
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Selin Charlton
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Ehara DeSilva
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Evie Bulloch
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Kayal Karrupiah
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Elizabeth Fraser
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Esther Lower
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
