Postgraduate (12 months full-time)
September
Intermediate awards: PG Cert, PG Dip
Apply directly to ARU
Design and carry out your own visual projects, exploring the relationships between word and image, as you prepare for a career as a visual artist in a growing creative industry.
Our course will prepare you for a career as a freelance illustrator. In recent years these roles have been increasingly in demand thanks to the growth of interest in artists' books, graphic novels, self-publishing, e-books and an awareness of small, batch publishing. You’ll also gain skills that will be useful in many other fields, such as bookbinding or teaching. You might even find a way to combine it with your current career, as did Dr Katy Shorttle, whose artwork on health issues was featured by The Guardian.
Or you might decide to move on to a research degree, like our PhD Fine Art.
Find out more about our placements and work experience, or the faculty's employability support.
Modules are subject to change and availability.
You’ll show your progress through your self-directed visual projects, which will include written project proposals, developmental and final visual work, and a reflective commentary. On the Masters Dissertation module, you’ll submit a 6,000-word essay. Finally, the Masters Project will allow you to build on all previous modules to design a visual project which shows mastery of your subject.
At Cambridge School of Art, we combine the traditions of our past with the possibilities afforded by the latest technologies.
Using our expertise and connections in Cambridge and beyond, we nurture creativity through experimentation and risk-taking to empower the makers and creators of the future.
Our academics excel at both practice and theory, making a real impact in their chosen fields, whether they are curating exhibitions, designing book covers or photographing communities in Africa. They are also regularly published in catalogues, books, journals and conference papers, their research classed as being of ‘international standing’, with some elements ‘world-leading’, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
You’ll work in purpose-built art and design studios, with open access to our printmaking, bookbinding, letterpress and laser cutting facilities, and training from dedicated technicians. We have many digital imaging resources that you can use, including Macs, scanners and A3/large-format printers, as well as photography darkrooms, animation and moving image studios and 3D workshops. You can also borrow photographic and recording equipment from our University’s Media Services Unit.
As a Cambridge School of Art student you can also receive access and full training in all of our industry-standard facilities.
£9,200
£16,200
Optional field trip to Antwerp - 2 nights
£160
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. This information also applies to EU students starting a course before 1 August 2021.
How to pay your fees directlyYou can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will also ask you for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter. Details will be in your offer letter.
Paying your feesIt’s important to decide how to fund your course before applying. Use our finance guide for postgraduate students to learn more about postgraduate loans and other funding options.
We also offer a range of ARU scholarships, which can provide extra financial support while you're at university.
Students taking up a place on this course are eligible to apply for the Mark Wood CBE Art and Design Scholarship, which recognises and encourages excellence. Read more and download the application form.
As well as a number of scholarships, we offer an early payment discount. Explore your options:
You will be required to attend an interview of around 20 minutes, during which you will evidence your discussion with a portfolio or, if you are resident outside of the UK, an e-portfolio.
For more information on how to prepare and submit your portfolio please visit our portfolios and interviews page, or go straight to the detailed guidance for MA Illustration portfolios.
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of face-to-face and online learning in September 2020, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning.
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of face-to-face and online learning from September 2020, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for postgraduate courses.
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country, contact our country managers.
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