An Art or Design degree is an opportunity to channel your creative flair by exploring a range of media techniques to refine your practice. 

Career options

From book covers and bedside lamps to the apps on our phones and art on the walls, we experience art and design every day. One of the benefits of studying a degree in Art or Design is that you’re not pigeonholed to one specific job; an Art or Design degree will teach you skills that are relevant for multiple industries so you can follow a career path that is truly fulfilling for a lifetime. 

Some Art graduates establish successful careers as professional artists, selling their work in galleries or taking paid commissions.

Other graduates choose to work in the arts sector as curators or gallery managers, while some choose to share their creative skills by working in education.  

A degree in a Design subject also offers multiple industries to work in. Sectors such as advertising, branding, publishing, product design and interior design all require people with strong and adaptable creative skills. 

Job opportunities

Our Art and Design degrees prepare graduates for a broad range of careers in the creative industries. You could become a: 

  • Professional Artist 
  • Freelance Illustrator 
  • Graphic Designer 
  • Product Designer 
  • Interior Designer
  • Curator 
  • Gallery Manager 
  • Art Consultant 
  • Animator 
  • Printmaker 
  • Art Critic 
  • Copywriter 
  • Architectural Assistant 
  • Architectural Technician 
  • Teacher 

Graduates in the spotlight

Our Art and Design graduates have gone on to carve successful careers in the following roles: 

  • Freelance Illustrator for Vogue, Lego and National Geographic 
  • Designer at the Telegraph 
  • Junior Art Director at Cravens 
  • Copywriter at Google 
  • Senior Creative at The&Partnership 
  • Furniture and Lighting Designer at Tom Raffield 
  • Production Assistant at Theatre Peckham 
  • Interior Designer at Sybarite Architects 
  • Development Engineer at Heathcoat Fabrics 
  • Senior Designer at Empire Design 
Restart
Restart

The making of graphic novel [Re]Start: It's Never Too Late

02 March 2023

Illustration graduates Eddy Nicholls, Julia Cockerham and Alex Copeman discuss their involvement in ...

The making of graphic novel [Re]Start: It's Never Too Late
Students painting in a workshop at Falmouth Illustration Festival
Falmouth Illustration Festival 2023

Falmouth’s illustration community unites for Falmouth Illustration Festival

13 February 2023

The Falmouth Illustration Festival made a vibrant return to our Falmouth Campus last week.

Falmouth’s illustration community unites for Falmouth Illustration Festival
Illustration of a witch sitting in a chair by a fire with a white ghost
The Christmas Witch by Lucy Rogers

Image: 'The Christmas Witch' illustrated by Lucy Rogers, Salus Publishing

How to become a children’s book illustrator

26 January 2023

If you’re an aspiring children's book illustrator, follow these tips to start building your career...

How to become a children’s book illustrator
Claire Dongan
Claire Dongan

Falmouth alumna awarded British Empire Medal for services to art in HM The King’s New Year’s Honours list

20 January 2023

For Clare Donegan, getting the email that she’d been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) from HM ...

Falmouth alumna awarded British Empire Medal for services to art in HM The King’s New Year’s Honours list
A woman in front of a door wearing a purple shirt
Charlie Taylor headshot

Textile Design graduate launches collection with Oasis

06 January 2023

Charlie Taylor tells us about her exclusive collection with fashion brand, Oasis.

Textile Design graduate launches collection with Oasis
A woman sat in front of a loom
Alice Moore Hook, Line and Ginger

Alice Moore on starting her own handwoven textile business

14 December 2022

Textile Design graduate starts her own handwoven textile business.

Alice Moore on starting her own handwoven textile business
Black and white aerial view architectural drawing
Nathan Tipping-Stevenson - Architectural Drawing

Architecture graduate receives Serjeant Award for Excellence in Architectural Drawing

07 December 2022

Falmouth Architecture BA(Hons) graduate Nathan Tipping-Stevenson has been named as a recipient of on...

Architecture graduate receives Serjeant Award for Excellence in Architectural Drawing
Katie Ponder Christmas stamps
Katie Ponder Christmas stamps

Pushing the envelope: Falmouth graduate designs Royal Mail Christmas stamps

23 November 2022

Falmouth University Illustration BA(Hons) graduate Katie Ponder has designed this year’s Royal Mai...

Pushing the envelope: Falmouth graduate designs Royal Mail Christmas stamps
Painted portrait of a woman gazing to the left
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye- Cream Taste

Falmouth alumna exhibiting at Tate Britain

15 November 2022

Falmouth Fine Art alumna Lynette Yiadom-Boakye is exhibiting at the Tate Britain in November 2022.

Falmouth alumna exhibiting at Tate Britain
Neve Clarke in the studio
Neve Clarke

Graduate spotlight: Cornwall-based printmaker highlights the importance of resilience

05 October 2022

Since graduating from Fine Art BA(Hons) in 2021, Neve Clarke has worked hard to pursue a career in p...

Graduate spotlight: Cornwall-based printmaker highlights the importance of resilience

Postgraduate study

Art and Design graduates could go on to study a postgraduate degree to further develop their skills or enhance their career. From fine art and illustration to UX design and game art, a master’s degree is an opportunity to specialise in a particular area and develop a deeper understanding of the subject. 

Explore more
Interior design students looking at cardboard model

Knowledge and skills

A degree in an Art or Design subject gives you a platform to broaden your creative horizons by experimenting with a range of media and tools.  

Through lectures and workshop-based teaching, our students develop knowledge and skills in areas such as printmaking, bookbinding, life drawing, colour theory, typography, storyboarding, graphic layout and studio photography. 

Our academic and technical staff are on hand to support students with digital prototyping technologies such as 3D printing, 3D scanning and CAD software as well as training in CNC milling and laser cutting. Students can also experiment with hands-on making through joinery, casting and metal fabrication – our professional-standard facilities really do make the difference when it comes to a hands-on art or design specialism. 

Illustration student drawing
Illustration studios

Transferable skills

As well as these specialist skills, students develop a range of transferable skills that are desirable to many employers. These include: 

  • Ability to work towards live self-directed and/or client-led briefs 
  • Leadership skills through project management and collaborative outputs 
  • Creating innovative solutions to problem solving and a willingness to take creative risks 
  • Strong research, observational and analytical skills 
  • Verbal and written communication skills, including presentation and pitching 
  • Interpersonal skills through critiques, peer reviews and group tutorials 
  • Entrepreneurial skills in marketing your work and building professional networks 

Career support

Our Art and Design degrees mirror a real-life studio setting, providing an environment where students can experiment alongside their peers and build those ever-important networks. Students have the opportunity to seek national and international placements, exhibit their work at public exhibitions, work on live briefs set by industry partners and connect with some of the sector's most influential figures through our guest speaker programme 

When you study at Falmouth, you also have access to our dedicated employability service, RealWORKs. We offer weekly career workshops and events, support with practice interviews and advice on writing your CV or even going freelance. 

By the time our students graduate, they have their own professional identity and portfolio to start bringing their business ideas to life. 

Our Art and Design courses

Student stood in front of paintings, smiling and holding paintbrush
Fine Art - 2023

Fine Art BA(Hons)

This highly-respected course aims to support the development of your practice as it evolves over the...

Fine Art BA(Hons)
A fold out book of drawings on a shelf
Drawing - 2023

Drawing BA(Hons)

Become a rigorous and innovative critical thinker and practitioner. Build your skills, expertise and...

Drawing BA(Hons)
Student illustration of colourful tree on teal background
Illustration student work

Illustration BA(Hons)

Become adept at problem solving and creating your visual language on this Illustration degree, renow...

Illustration BA(Hons)
Student looking at laptop and drawing
Illustration Online - 2023

Illustration BA(Hons) (Online)

Gain the professional practice and entrepreneurial skills needed to turn your talent into a successf...

Illustration BA(Hons) (Online)
Graphic Design student work leaflets
Graphic Design student work leaflets

Graphic Design BA(Hons)

With an emphasis on design thinking and crafting big ideas beautifully, this Graphic Design degree i...

Graphic Design BA(Hons)
Sustainable Product Design 2024
Sustainable Product Design 2024

Sustainable Product Design BA(Hons)

Become a conscientious and innovative product designer with the professional practice skills to make...

Sustainable Product Design BA(Hons)
Design of lounge area on the deck of a super yacht, wood, cream and grey colour scheme.
Carmen Downing_Yacht design

Interior Design BA(Hons)

Delve into the world of built spaces, interior environments and the people who inhabit them. Through...

Interior Design BA(Hons)
Two figures walking with coffee cups through digital interior
Interior design Online - 2023

Interior Design BA(Hons) (Online)

Test the bounds of what's possible to achieve in interior spaces and develop the entrepreneurial kno...

Interior Design BA(Hons) (Online)
Six pieces of fabric lined up together with different patterns and textures
Textile Design 2024

Textile Design BA(Hons)

On our textile design degree, you’ll be part of a vibrant, supportive community of multidisciplina...

Textile Design BA(Hons)
eastern inspired building model
Architecture - 2023

Architecture BA(Hons)

Learn through making on this RIBA and ARB accredited course. Working on live briefs in a studio envi...

Architecture BA(Hons)
Student at a laptop looking at blueprints
Architectural Design & Technology

Architectural Design & Technology BSc(Hons)

Learn to integrate design, construction technology, building engineering and construction management...

Architectural Design & Technology BSc(Hons)
CAD Render of a large building with outdoor seating areas  next to a river
Interior Architecture - Sam Viney

Interior Architecture BA(Hons)

Uncover the impact and potential of the spaces in which we work, rest and play, on this future-focus...

Interior Architecture BA(Hons)
Visual Communication student drawing on a tablet
BA(Hons) Visual Communication (Online)

Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online)

Get ahead in the vibrant, ever-evolving field of visual communications with this exciting online cou...

Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online)
Students standing at a wall full of ideas written on paper
Creative Advertising - 2023

Creative Advertising BA(Hons)

Pitching, hustling, scribbling, protesting, researching, writing, experimenting, crafting and – mo...

Creative Advertising BA(Hons)
Illustration students in busy studio at desks drawing.
Illustration students working in a classroom
Illustration students

Integrated Foundation Year BA/BSc(Hons)

Explore your creativity and expand your professional skills by entering the creative industries on a...

Integrated Foundation Year BA/BSc(Hons)

Get in touch

Any questions? 

If you have any questions about undergraduate study at Falmouth, get in touch with our Future Studies team.  

T: +44(0) 1326 254350 
E: futurestudies@falmouth.ac.uk 

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