Illustration: Authorial Practice MA

Develop your unique visual language on this studio-based Illustration MA.

Key details

Location

Falmouth Campus

Course duration

1 year / 2 years

Attendance

Full-time / Part-time

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

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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.

Interview with Kristine Sundsdal, Illustration: Authorial Practice MA student at Falmouth University

Interview with Illustration: Authorial Practice MA student, Alia Sinha

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.

MA Illustration Authorial Practice work by Maddie Williams — Work by Maddie Williams

MA Illustration Authorial Practice work by Fernando Osuna Martinez — 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.

MA Illustration Authorial Practice work by Imogen Saunders

MA Illustration Authorial Practice work by Anna Brinded

Pale pink and green book and spreads with structural diagrams.

Pink book called "Book of Corbyn" on display with pink headphones.

Coloured shell like object on black background.

Books spreads with various illustrations.

A selection of drawings on paper pinned to a wall

Pink room with suspended squares with abstract imagery.

Many pages of black mounted text and images hanging on red strings.

A pair of hands protruding from a wall and holding open a book for display.

Hand bound book stood upright and grey cloth rectangle with type laid next to it.

Illustration of a figure with oversized arms stretched out in red mountain scene.

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.

Merran Coleman headshot crop

"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

merran coleman

Illustration MA student nominated for two industry awards

02 July 2024

Illustration MA student Merran Coleman has been nominated for two acclaimed illustration awards.

Illustration MA student nominated for two industry awards

Book cover of Tales from Beyond the Rainbow

Tales from beyond the Rainbow book cover

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...

Falmouth graduate Pete Jordi Wood: Amplifying voices in LGBTQ+ folklore

An abstract illustration of a woman - her body is covered in animal faces

Sarah Edge

'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 students go big at the V&A Illustration Awards

Image of student artwork from the 2022 Illustration festival

Illustration Fest 4

©Emily Barlow / Mayn Creative

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...

Falmouth Illustration Festival sketches out pathways for student success

FSA Webcomics The Promise

Students Webcomics on The Promise

02 June 2020

The Promise is a new collection of webcomics produced by BA & MA Illustration students at F...

Students Webcomics on The Promise

Illustration of hairy legs and a plastic bottle with a lobster coming out

Falmouth Illustration Forum 2020 pomo image

Illustrators Focus on Climate Emergency at Annual Forum

13 March 2020

The annual Falmouth Illustration Forum, organised by MA Illustration: Authorial Practice students, t...

Illustrators Focus on Climate Emergency at Annual Forum

web story Chaos group project

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 ...

MA Project Explores How Creativity Can Help Mental Health Wellbeing

WIA - Ellena Burnard

Students Shortlisted for World Illustration Awards

25 June 2019

With two students and three graduates being shortlisted across a variety of categories, Falmouth has...

Students Shortlisted for World Illustration Awards

Tilly McKerrow - gannet (cropped)

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...

Top 10 tips from a professional illustrator

News_NT and Holly Corfield Carr collab

Holly Corfield Carr

Second National Trust Collaboration for English & Writing

30 April 2018

The English & Writing team are undertaking their second collaborative publishing project with Th...

Second National Trust Collaboration for English & Writing

Facilities

Individual studio space
Full IT facilities
Print room
Comprehensive library

MA Illustration Authorial Practice student work show

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 /...

Hugh Frost

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...

Mat Osmond

Hannah Waldron

Senior Lecturer

Hannah joined the MA Illustration team in 2018, having worked as a freelance illustrator in the indu...

Hannah Waldron

Nigel Owen

Course Leader, Illustration BA(Hons)

Having performed the roles of both Head of Illustration and also Course Leader since 2011, I decid...

Nigel Owen

Emilia Wharfe

Senior Technician

Emilia Wharfe is a Senior Technician in digital skills for predominantly BA(Hons)/MA Illustration, h...

Emilia Wharfe

Dr Carolyn Shapiro

Associate Professor of Visual Culture

Carolyn Shapiro has been teaching at the Falmouth College of Art, University College Falmouth, and F...

Dr Carolyn Shapiro

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.

MA Illustration Authorial Practice student work

How to apply

Talk to us

To find out more about this course, how you'll learn or what funding is available, get in touch with our Course Advisors. Click below to submit a form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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Ready to apply for postgraduate study? You can apply online by clicking one of the buttons below.

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About applying to this course

After you apply, you’ll receive a login for the Falmouth Applicant Portal, we’ll use this to request anything we need from you and to update you on the progress of your application. You might be asked to submit some work, and the course team might contact you to discuss your application.

We welcome applications from those with relevant equivalent Level 6 qualifications, or relevant equivalent experience, and a demonstrable interest in the subject.

We’ll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) and learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), and should have been gained within the last five years, and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications.

APL applicants using experience to apply should note there is an application fee for entry with advanced standing or with exemption from specific modules or credit.

If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

International applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK must take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. Our Applicant Services Team can help with any questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees

£10,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees)

£5,100 per year - part-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees)

£19,950 per year - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees)

£9,975 per year - part-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees)

£10,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees)

£5,100 per year - part-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees)

£19,950 per year - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees)

£9,975 per year - part-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees)

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.

Postgraduate funding

There are loans, awards, graduate discounts and alternative funding sources for postgraduate studies. Read about them on our Postgraduate Funding page.

Find out about funding

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

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