Children's Book Illustration MA degree course

Program Overview

This postgraduate program in Children's Book Illustration offers a studio-based environment where students develop their visual vocabulary and create original book projects under the guidance of renowned illustrators. Through a combination of tutorials, seminars, and critiques, students explore theories, contexts, and practices, preparing them for a career as freelance illustrators. The program culminates in a portfolio, research proposal, dissertation, and final project, showcasing students' skills and readiness for the industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Experiment with methods, explore ideas and critically reflect on your practice to develop your own personal visual vocabulary. Create original children’s book projects, supported by a team of internationally-recognised illustrators.

Outline:

This taught, studio-based postgraduate degree is offered full-time or part-time. You’ll develop your practice in the art of children’s book illustration in a supportive, open and friendly studio environment with leading practitioners, including Alexis Deacon, Sophie Burrows, Birgitta Sif, Juliet Docherty, Charles Shearer, Dave Barrow, Arthur Vergani, Flavia Drago, Ella Beech and Marina Ruiz. On each module of this Masters course you’ll propose and develop a project guided by our leading team of tutors—all practitioners with a wide range of specialisms. Teaching is primarily through one-to-one and group tutorials, seminars, workshops and studio critiques, in which you will learn about relevant theories, contexts and practices. As the course progresses, you are increasingly encouraged and expected to develop your work and research independently so that you’re prepared to enter the role of a freelance illustrator upon graduation.

Assessment:

Throughout the course, you will be asked to create various projects, to reflect on the work you have created, and to apply your own research to your craft. Both the Observation and Experiment module and Sequential Image module will be assessed 100% on your portfolio and reflection of your portfolio work and are marked on a pass/fail basis. The Illustration & Audience: The Paradox module is based 90% on portfolio and 10% on a research proposal. Your Research and Review dissertation will be assessed 100% on your 6,000-word essay, while the Masters Stage Project will be assessed 90% on your project work and 10% on your written report.

Teaching:

You’ll work in our dedicated illustration studios overlooking the Ruskin Gallery, with access to a fully equipped printmaking studio, other specialist facilities, and open access life-drawing sessions. With studio culture at the heart of the MA, you'll share and discuss your work with other students, attend course-wide lectures that will inform your studio practice, and participate in community activities.

Careers:

Many graduates of our MA Children’s Book Illustration degree now enjoy careers as freelance authors and illustrators for children. Among them are Paula Metcalf, Marta Altés, Nadia Shireen, Birgitta Sif, Steve Antony, Matt Robertson, Flavia C Drago, Matty Long, Melissa Castrillon, Taylor Dolan, Nicola Kent, Emily Haworth Booth and Eva Eland. You may choose to show your work to leading publishing companies and literary agencies at our optional annual graduation exhibition held in London before returning to our own Ruskin Gallery in Cambridge. The graduation exhibition also includes a catalogue of student work shared with publishers, a website (cambridgemashow.com), and social media campaign, all organised and funded by students separate of the course. Upon completion of the course, you may also choose to take part in our student stand at the annual Bologna Children’s Book Fair, where tutors will show your work to publishers from around the globe. Like the graduation exhibition, this professional development event is available only to our course graduates, requires an additional fee, and is separate of the course. Many students also attend the fair in-person in order to participate in lectures and workshops or volunteer on our stand.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Tuition fees for UK students (2024/25)

£12,800 UK students starting 2024/25 (total cost) ARU graduates may be eligible for an Alumni Scholarship and get a 20% fee discount. Fees are payable upfront, in full or in instalments, but there's no need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.

Tuition fees for international students (2024/25)

£19,100 International students starting 2024/25 (total cost) You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter Find out about paying your fees. For postgraduate courses, international ARU graduates are automatically considered for an International Alumni Scholarship, worth £3,000 off first-year fees.

Additional course costs

Additional costs

Materials: costs depend on direction and ambition of your work, though students are expected to experiment with materials, techniques and ways of making throughout the course so should be prepared to purchase a range of supplies (estimated £250 per year). Though it is not required, many students prefer to purchase their own books to use for the major essay module and would need to consider this cost, as well, which will depend on the specific topic, scope, and availability of books. Technology: Students will need regular access to internet for engagement with email and Canvas, our online teaching platform. Scanning and printing of work is necessary for creation of mock-ups of project outcomes. While students may use campus computer systems, there will likely be a need to access computer systems from home for the above uses. Optional London graduation show (including catalogue design, printing and mailing; gallery space rental and private view for publishers): has ranged from £170 to £250 over the past few years, depending on how many students participate and the options they choose. There is an additional cost for each student to prepare their work, which will depend on the individual choices they make, such as how they choose to print, bind and display their artwork and dummy books. Optional Bologna Book Fair stand portfolio inclusion: approximately £340, plus costs of preparing work and creating promotional materials. Many students also choose to attend the fair, which would incur additional travel costs. Neither the London show nor Bologna Book Fair are requirements of the course.