Illustration: Authorial Practice MA
Develop your unique visual language on this studio-based Illustration MA.
Course overview
Evolve your authorial voice on this renowned studio-based master’s degree, joining a stimulating and collaborative community that encourages creative risk-taking and experimentation.
As the only Illustration MA with a specific focus on authorial practice, this course will challenge you to shape your own authorial intent through a rich and varied programme of industry-led lectures, hands-on workshops, research projects and critical reflection. You’ll be supported by practising artists, illustrators and published writers as you learn to use authorial illustration as a tool to engage with the world around you, developing creative autonomy and gaining the confidence and knowledge to forge a meaningful career in the creative industries.
Study at Falmouth:
- Articulate your unique creative stance through a structured series of self-directed and collaborative projects
- Experiment across areas including life drawing, visual storytelling, creative writing, character development and visual language fundamentals, as well as the creation of print and digital publications, in a vibrant studio environment
- Develop skills in research, collaboration, project planning, design and production – essentials for a fulfilling creative career
- Meet a diverse range of international authorial practitioners and industry-based speakers, identifying publishing contexts, audiences and professional opportunities for your work
Lead image: work by Noah Frear
Course details
As the only Illustration course focused on authorial practice, we’ll cover every aspect of the profession. By researching, analysing and evolving your approach, and working with increasing independence, you’ll progress and grow as an experienced professional. On top of practical work, you’ll explore audience awareness and professional development by producing two analytical essays and delivering a presentation on subjects you find interesting.
We’ll help you get to grips with entrepreneurial approaches as you identify your audience and look into the channels and opportunities for your work. And by taking on various longer-term projects, you’ll have the chance to work on things like children's books, graphic novels, digital work and screen-based productions.
Your workshops will cover subjects like creative writing, composition, visual narrative, book design, and networking and entrepreneurship, while the Illustration Discourses lecture series looks into authorial positions, theories and contexts. At the end of the Illustration MA you’ll put on a professional presentation of your work.
You’ll also learn from our relationship with a local publishing house. Offering insights and experience across the entire publishing process, from concept to finished product, you’ll gain expertise in printing, distribution and marketing. This is also where many of our students gain real-world experience through internships.
The annual Falmouth Illustration Forum explores various aspects of authorial illustration, and is your chance to see internationally-renowned guest speakers like Lorenzo Mattotti, Sue Coe, Linda Rogers, Jonny Hannah, Lauren Elkin, Graham Rawle and David Shrigley.
Work by Maddie Williams
Work by Fernando Osuna Martinez
Modules
Negotiated Project 1
Critical Publication
Negotiated Project 2
Research Presentation
Negotiated Project 3 & Extended Essay
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details:
As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.
How you'll learn
The Illustration MA takes place over three semesters, covering 45 or 90 weeks, depending on whether you choose to study one year full-time or two years part-time.
You’ll produce three practical projects based on personal work, supported by lectures, seminars, group critiques and workshops, as well as talks from industry professionals. You’ll also record and reflect on your studio work with a research journal.
Work by Anna Brinded
Work by Anna Brinded
"We’re encouraged to find a clarity of intention when working on a project, which has had a huge impact on my work."
Merran Coleman, current student
Read stories from our creative community
Illustration MA student nominated for two industry awards
02 July 2024
Illustration MA student Merran Coleman has been nominated for two acclaimed illustration awards.
Falmouth graduate Pete Jordi Wood: Amplifying voices in LGBTQ+ folklore
01 June 2023
Graduate, Pete Jordi Wood's work has recently caught the attention of international publishing house...
'My cancer scars map the pain of animals held in research labs' © Sarah Edge
Falmouth students go big at the V&A Illustration Awards
17 June 2022
Three Falmouth students and a Falmouth graduates have been shortlisted at the 2022 V&A Illustrat...
Falmouth Illustration Festival sketches out pathways for student success
15 February 2022
Illustration students welcomed an incredible line-up of artists, industry workers and activists to t...
Students Webcomics on The Promise
02 June 2020
The Promise is a new collection of webcomics produced by BA & MA Illustration students at F...
Illustrators Focus on Climate Emergency at Annual Forum
13 March 2020
The annual Falmouth Illustration Forum, organised by MA Illustration: Authorial Practice students, t...
MA Project Explores How Creativity Can Help Mental Health Wellbeing
10 September 2019
A collaborative project between Authorial Practice Illustration Masters' students and service-users ...
Students Shortlisted for World Illustration Awards
25 June 2019
With two students and three graduates being shortlisted across a variety of categories, Falmouth has...
Top 10 tips from a professional illustrator
15 June 2019
Tilly McKerrow, one of our Illustration tutors and – simultaneously – one of our MA Authorial Pr...
Second National Trust Collaboration for English & Writing
30 April 2018
The English & Writing team are undertaking their second collaborative publishing project with Th...
Facilities
- Individual studio space
- Full IT facilities
- Print room
- Comprehensive library
Staff
You’ll be taught and supported by practising illustrators and published writers with experience in areas like exhibiting work, running publishing houses, leading poetry festivals, and working with companies like Puffin, Macmillan, Heinemann, Scholastic and the Sunday Times.
Hugh Frost
Course Leader, MA Illustration: Authorial Practice
Hugh is the Course leader for MA Illustration Authorial Practice at Falmouth. He is also an Editor /...
Mat Osmond
Senior Lecturer MA Illustration: Authorial Practice
Mat’s a writer, artist and PhD researcher with an interest in how poetic practice can foster regen...
Hannah Waldron
Senior Lecturer
Hannah joined the MA Illustration team in 2018, having worked as a freelance illustrator in the indu...
Nigel Owen
Course Leader, Illustration BA(Hons)
Having performed the roles of both Head of Illustration and also Course Leader since 2011, I decid...
Emilia Wharfe
Senior Technician
Emilia Wharfe is a Senior Technician in digital skills for predominantly BA(Hons)/MA Illustration, h...
Dr Carolyn Shapiro
Associate Professor of Visual Culture
Carolyn Shapiro has been teaching at the Falmouth College of Art, University College Falmouth, and F...
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.
Careers
Our Illustration MA graduates have harnessed their developed practice, enterprise and entrepreneurial skills to find success in a range of creative sectors including; publishing, reportage, e-learning, residencies, art collectives, film and theatre, self and independent publishing and education.
Alumni have produced work for the likes of MacMillan, Kingfisher, Polar Bear Music Prize, Fantagraphics, Blankslate and Editions Memo; offered art direction for Penguin and Little Brown; joined collectives such as We Colonised the Moon, Tara Books and Kekien Collective; taken up residencies with Women’s Studio Workshop, The Bauhaus Print Studio and The Full Dome (California); accepted teaching posts with universities, from Manchester to Tuluca; started independent publishers including Pirrip Press, Atlantic Press and Guillemot Press, and undertaken PhD’s.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees for September 2026 will be confirmed in summer 2025.
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Typical course costs
- A laptop will be an essential piece of equipment along with a reliable broadband connection
- Headphones are also recommended if you wish to participate in certain online sessions in the studio without disturbing others
- General art equipment: pens, pencils, brushes, scissors, cutting edge, ruler, scalpel. If you don't already own these, buying them will cost approximately £50 altogether.
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
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