IllustrationHNC

Take your illustration practice to degree level and beyond on our HNC Illustration course.

Using your artistic talent, you'll become immersed in the fast-paced, exciting world of contemporary illustration. Learn illustration disciplines, practices, and theories, and enhance your drawing and making skills to create visually compelling narratives and innovative, dynamic briefs – powered by industry-standard software and equipment.

After completing this course, you can take the second year of BA (Hons) Illustration at the University of Portsmouth, or pursue a career in art, design and illustration – and the wider creative sector.

While studying at Eastleigh College, you can access the University's student support services and community, including study support, the Students’ Union and our library's online resources.

Skills and qualities needed for this course

We're looking for students who love drawing, making, thinking and stories, and are fascinated with history and research.

To maximise your potential on this course, you should be:

• Determined to explore ideas in depth
• Able to see the value in experiment and play
• Passionate about creating professional artwork that makes you stand out within the design industry
• A team player and an independent worker
• Keen to meet deadlines and complete set tasks in a creative, dynamic environment

Preparing for this course

To prepare for this course, we recommend reading a few key texts that give you a grounding in critical thinking and ways of seeing, including:

• ‘Ways of Seeing’ by John Berger
• ‘Disaster Drawn’ by Hilary Chute

We'd like you to arrive with an open mind for discovery and visual adventure.

Browse student work

Our students approach illustration in distinct, imaginative, and technically resourceful ways. Click on an image below to view it in greater detail.

Completing this course successfully allows you to enter university-level study of illustration and other visual design disciplines. For instance, you'll only need to complete a further 2 years of study to gain a BA (Hons) Illustration degree.

The skills and knowledge you develop could also allow you to advance your existing career or secure your first role in the industry. Areas you could work in include:

• Traditional print-based media
• Digital publishing
• Graphic design companies and agencies
• Animation/model-making industries

Industry work also delivers a range of flexibility not seen in more traditional sectors and the knowledge and skill that you obtain from this course will be applicable to work in small start ups businesses, global multi-national companies, as well as in a freelance capacity.

You'll study modules worth 120 credits.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed.  This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

We recommend you spend at least 40 hours a week studying for your Illustration HNC. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures and workshops for about 16 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course.

Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Wednesday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.

Teaching​

Teaching on this course includes:

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• tutorials
• group critiques

This course has a practical focus, covering the traditional and digital technologies used by professionals.

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.

How you're assessed​

You'll be assessed entirely through coursework on this course.

Term times

The academic year runs from October to May with breaks at Christmas and Easter.

• October to January – teaching block 1
• February to May – teaching block 2

Even though you'll study your course at one of our partner colleges, you'll still be a student of the University of Portsmouth.

You'll have access to support via video, phone and face-to-face from University teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following University services:

Tuition fees

September 2024 start

• UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £6,165 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU and International students – £17,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

You can apply for this course from May 2023.

In the meantime, you can sign up to an Open Day to:

• tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
• speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
• get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.