BA (Hons) Illustration

Introduction

Your portfolio review will be conducted on our video interviewing platform, Shortlister. You will receive an email from us if you have been selected for interview and then you will hear from Shortlister with your log in information.

Once you have received your invitation for a review, you will be sent a log in to Shortlister. Once logged in, you will find a lobby area with a few tips on how to navigate around the platform, a practise area where you can try out answering a few questions, test sharing your screen if required and to build your confidence.

Please note that this interview will require you to share a portfolio and therefore you will need to access this via a laptop or PC.

Please note that the first question will always ask for a form of ID to be shown to the camera. This must be photo ID (a passport, driving license – full or provisional, or a college ID card).

What to include in your Portfolio

A demonstration of your visual experimentation. This should include examples of work created in a range of media and mediums, both digital and traditionally created. A range of observational drawings, completed illustrated works, examples of process and development and sketch book work would also be beneficial. Your portfolio can also include examples of moving image, animation and video.

For extra information and guidance around preparing an Illustration application portfolio, please see HERE.

 

Preparing your Portfolio

The BA(Hons) Illustration course at University of Staffordshire is a practical course, so as part of the selection process we would like to see some of the work that you have already made, either during your studies and/or in your own time.

For the review we would like to see a range of physical work, photos or reproductions of finished work, sketchbooks, life drawing and ideas generation sketches. 

Your portfolio can comprise either a PowerPoint presentation, images of your work in either a PDF or JPEG format or the URL link to an online website where you have uploaded examples of your work.

The Review

To ensure every candidate has the same opportunity to highlight their key achievements, skills, and experiences we publish our interview questions. The questions are:

  1. Please show a form of ID

  1. Tell us about your creative journey so far. Share your experiences in education or personal creative explorations, how you developed your knowledge and skills, also what you've learned along the way. (This is a portfolio sharing question)

  1. Where do you get creative inspiration from? Discuss your sources of inspiration, such as nature, travel, design, photography or other art forms

  1. Why this specific course? Show that you've researched the program and understand its unique offerings. Why do you think this course is for you?

  1. What skills do you hope to develop on this course? Discuss any hopes, dream or fears

  2. What do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years in relation to your education and employability? Share your vision for your academic and career future.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025 & TIGA Best Games Intuition 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021