Studying Cartoon and Comic Arts

Meet your course leader!

I’m Jason, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Cartoon and Comic Arts.

The course is built around the idea that comics are a versatile, clever visual language - capable of being humorous, personal, political, experimental, and rigorous all at once.  We focus on how drawing, storytelling, design, and timing work together, and how these skills are applied in modern creative work.

Alongside teaching, I maintain an active practice across comics, painting, and visual research, with a particular interest in perception, storytelling, and how images shape meaning.  That mix of practice and critical thinking runs through the course, shaping how projects are taught, discussed, and developed.

You’ll be working in a studio environment with a small, committed team, developing your own voice while learning the practical, conceptual, and professional skills needed to sustain a creative practice.

We look forward to welcoming you to the course!

Hear from a current student

I first heard about the course in 2017 when a friend of mine moved up to Stoke to take it.   After they moved I had so many updates on what they got up to, and I felt so envious of what they were doing! 

I loved that we were able to express our creativity through drawing on the walls and really making the studio our own, as well as how friendly all of the lecturers are.  Despite them being my lecturers, I feel like they're my friends.  

Walking up to the studio for the first time was magical, there's this huge cartoon and comic arts sign above some double doors that lead into the whole section of the building that belongs to the course, and walking through them felt like I had found a place that I belonged.

Through cartoon and comic arts I have found family, home and newfound confidence.  I asked my course-mates not too long ago for pictures of when they started the course to pictures of them now, and the confidence we have all grown is so visible.  This course has given me the confidence to build my own art business with experience from our MCM trip, confidence to put myself out there and the bravery to show the world all the things that make me me.

Thank you Cartoon and Comic Arts!

Theo Nicol, 24, from Weston-Super-Mare
Final Year Cartoon and Comic Arts student

Teaching staff

Gareth Cowlin

Lecturer

Gareth has regularly produced illustrative work for a range of magazines and newspapers, including: Private Eye, Punch, The Sun, The Bookseller and The New Statesman.

Gareth's profile

Adrian Tooth

Course Director

Creating things and bringing them to life has always been a passion of Adrian's. He's been an animator and freelance illustrator/cartoonist amongst a range of other jobs, which include the manager of a pottery decoration department.

Adrian's profile

Jason Brindley

Lecturer

Jason’s work covers comic books, illustration, and fine art. Using traditional, digital, and CGI techniques, he has produced work for 2000AD and several independent publishers and has exhibited nationally.

Your next steps

  1. Accept your offer

    An exciting new chapter awaits you here at University of Staffordshire - we can't wait to meet you. Before you can progress with finance or accommodation choices, you'll need to confirm your offer via UCAS.

    Accept your offer

  2. Apply for student finance

    It's best to arrange your student finance before starting University. You can learn more about student finance and make an application at www.gov.uk/student-finance. Our support team is here to help, get in touch if you have any questions about student finance.

    Enquire about finance

  3. Apply for your accommodation

    We have a range of accommodation to choose from to suit all lifestyles and budgets, including en-suite and accessible rooms. Browse rooms and find out how to apply.

    Browse University accommodation
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