UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
University of Central Lancashire Campus
3. University School/Centre
School of Art, Design and Fashion
4. External Accreditation
N/A
5. Title of Final Award
BA(Hons) Illustration
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full Time / Part time
7. UCAS Code
W225 BA/ILL
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
N/A
9. Other external influences
N/A
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
July 2012
11. Aims of the Programme

This course has been designed with three broad aims:

To provide a career as a freelance illustrator, graphic artist, designer, or similar creative image
based employment area.

To provide general employment utilising the key skills inherent in the programme, including;
research, creative thinking, and communication skills.

To provide students with the opportunity for further study or research in a related academic
field.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Appreciation of contemporary illustrative practice.
A2. Ability to debate concepts, and techniques using subject specific terminology.
A3. Utilise a range of learning resources to obtain information to help them undertake complex tasks
within the subject area.
A4. Identify their individual creative characteristics and philosophies.
Teaching and Learning Methods
These activities form the main methods of learning and teaching at all levels on modules DD1101,
IL1101, IL1133, IL2101, Il2102, IL2177, IL3111, IL3112, DD3992: Studio based design activity
consists of independent research and study, formal and informal lectures, demonstrations, group
seminars and tutorials, one to one tutorials, and written feedback.
In modules DD1000, DD2000, DD3000 independent research and study, formal and informal lectures,
group seminars, one to one tutorials, and written feedback, form the main methods of learning and
teaching at all levels.
Assessment methods
Assessment of DD1101, IL1101, IL1133, IL2101, Il2102, IL2177, IL3111, IL3112, DD3992 is through
project work, which includes presentation and verbal critique of each project. Assessment takes place
at the end of each module.
Assessment of DD1000, DD2000, DD3000 is through visual and written project work with a variety of
assessment points outlined in the student handbook.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Develop authorial skills - the ability to initiate concepts and products outside the accepted
industrial conventions.
B2. Demonstrate visual skills – drawing, a variety of technology and media skills including traditional
and computer aided imaging and high quality presentation.
B3. Visualise and communicate complex written and verbal concepts, themes and instructions.
Teaching and Learning Methods
These activities form the main methods of learning and teaching at all levels on modules DD1101,
IL1101, IL1133, IL2101, Il2102, IL2177, IL3111, IL3112, DD3992: Studio based design activity
consists of independent research and study, formal and informal lectures, demonstrations, group
seminars and tutorials, one to one tutorials, and written feedback.
In modules DD1000, DD2000, DD3000 independent research and study, formal and informal lectures,
group seminars, one to one tutorials, and written feedback, form the main methods of learning and
teaching at all levels.
Assessment methods
Assessment of DD1101, IL1101, IL1133, IL2101, Il2102, IL2177, IL3111, IL3112, DD3992 is through
project work, which includes portfolio presentation and verbal critique of each project. Assessment
takes place at the end of each module.
Assessment of DD1000, DD2000, DD3000 is through visual and written project work with a variety of
assessment points outlined in the student handbook.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Develop a range of thinking skills and problem solving abilities.
C2. Plan and undertake original research utilising appropriate media and techniques.
C3. Critically appraise their own work and the work of others verbally and in writing
Teaching and Learning Methods
These activities form the main methods of learning and teaching at all levels on modules DD1101,
IL1101, IL1133, IL2101, Il2102, IL2177, IL3111, IL3112, DD3992: Studio based design activity
consists of independent research and study, formal and informal lectures, demonstrations, group
seminars and tutorials, one to one tutorials, and written feedback.
In modules DD1000, DD2000, DD3000 independent research and study, formal and informal lectures,
group seminars, one to one tutorials, and written feedback, form the main methods of learning and
teaching at all levels.
Assessment methods
Assessment of DD1101, IL1101, IL1133, IL2101, Il2102, IL2177, IL3111, IL3112, DD3992 is through
project work, which includes portfolio presentation and verbal critique of each project. Assessment
takes place at the end of each module.
Assessment of DD1000, DD2000, DD3000 is through visual and written project work with a variety of
assessment points outlined in the student handbook.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Analyse and solve problems.
D2. Develop self- reliance, time- management, decision- making.
D3. Learn and work independently in preparation for working in industry.
Teaching and Learning Methods
These activities form the main methods of learning and teaching at all levels on modules DD1101,
IL1101, IL1133, IL2101, Il2102, IL2177, IL3111, IL3112, DD3992: Studio based design activity
consists of independent research and study, formal and informal lectures, demonstrations, group
seminars and tutorials, one to one tutorials, and written feedback.
In modules DD1000, DD2000, DD3000 independent research and study, formal and informal lectures,
group seminars, one to one tutorials, and written feedback, form the main methods of learning and
teaching at all levels.
Assessment methods
Assessment of DD1101, IL1101, IL1133, IL2101, Il2102, IL2177, IL3111, IL3112, DD3992 is through
project work, which includes portfolio presentation and verbal critique of each project. Assessment
takes place at the end of each module.
Assessment of DD1000, DD2000, DD3000 is through visual and written project work with a variety of
assessment points outlined in the student handbook.
13. Programme Structures
14. Awards and Credits
Level
Module
Code
Module Title
Credit
rating
Level 6
IL3111
IL3112
DD3000
Personal Projects
External Project
Contextual Studies;
Design Futures
Honours Project
Student Initiated Module
Student Initiated Module
40
20
20
40
40
20
IL2177
DD3920
DD3910
Experimental Illustration
Illustration in Context
Contemporary Contextual
Studies
Exploring Digital Illustration
Student Initiated Module
Student Initiated Module
DD1101
IL1101
DD1000
IL1133
DD1920
DD1910
Creative Thinking
Introduction to Illustration
Historical Contextual Studies
Drawing and Process
Student Initiated Module
Student Initiated Module
40
40
20
20
20
10
DD3992
DD3920
DD3910
Level 5
Level 4
IL2101
IL2102
DD2000
40
20
10
Bachelor Honours Degree
Requires 360 credits including a
minimum of 120 at Level 6 and
must include the Honours Project.
Bachelor Degree
Requires 320 credits including a
minimum of 80 at level 6
HE Diploma
Requires 240 credits including a
minimum of 120 at Level 5 or
above
20
20
10
HE Certificate
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or
above
15. Personal Development Planning
PDP is designed to;
enable students to work towards their personal and professional goals on graduation;
to help students acquire the skills needed for their chosen career;
to help students evaluate their strengths and improve on a range of skills necessary both at uclan,
and after graduation.
The concept of Personal Development Planning (PDP) is introduced to students via the handbook,
course specific handbook and induction programme.
Students keep a portfolio of work to track their development as an illustrator towards the goals set for
themselves in consultation with their personal tutor.
The personal tutorial system allows students to discuss their personal development on an individual
basis once per semester.
In addition personal and professional development issues are identified through frequent project
critiques, and detailed by staff through written feedback sheets.
Students are encouraged to keep a reflective journal, or sketchbook that identifies practical creative
issues and personal and project development.
At Level Six students initiate and agree their project briefs with their personal tutor, and fill in a Module
Self Assessment form at the end of each module.
The system has been piloted at Levels 4, 5 & 6 with at least one self initiated project at each level
being initiated and agreed between staff and students, and self assessed.
After module assessment students can access a transcript that details their record of achievement.
All students on the course are given the opportunity to receive feedback from practicing industry
professionals, representatives of the Association of Illustrators, or other creative industry
professionals such as publishing professionals.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
UK Applicants:
Except in exceptional circumstances, UK applicants must attend an interview with portfolio.
Once your application has been processed you will be sent a letter stating the date you that
you are required to attend, and what will be required of you
If it is not possible for you to attend on the date proposed, please contact us to rearrange a
date or agree alternative arrangements.
All successful candidates must have achieved the following:
 Achieve a minimum of 240-300 UCAS tariff points at A2 or equivalent
 Grade C in GCSE Maths and English or an equivalent; UK equivalents include key
skills level 3 or functional skills level 2
European Applicants:
European applicants may not be able to attend an interview in the UK. Once your application
has been processed, you should submit an e-portfolio, CD or DVD of your recent work; this
will be followed by a telephone interview.
International Applicants :
International applicants may not be able to attend an interview in the UK. Once your
application has been processed, you should submit an e-portfolio, CD or DVD of your recent
work; this will be followed by a telephone interview.
Additionally International students for whom English is not your first language, will be
required to evidence an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent. Equivalences include:
 TOEFL Written examination score of 550 plus a test of written English (at 4)
 TOEFL Computer Equivalent score of 213 and TWE at 4
Proficiency in English (Cambridge) at Grade C or above
17. Key sources of information about the programme





Fact Sheet
University Website
School Website
Student Course Handbook
University Prospectus
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Core (C),
Other skills relevant
Compulsory
to employability and
Module
(COMP) or
Knowledge and
personal
Level Code
Module Title
Option (O)
understanding
Subject-specific Skills
Thinking Skills
development
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
A1
Note:
IL3111
IL3112
DD3000
DD3920
DD3910
DD3992
IL2101
IL2102
Personal Projects
External Projects
Contextual Studies:
Design Futures
Student Initiated Module
Student Initiated Module
Honours Project
Experimental Illustration
Illustration in Context
COMP
COMP
C
O
O
C
COMP
COMP
DD2000
DD2920
DD2910
DS2177
DD1101
IL1101
DD1000
DD1920
DD1910
DS1133
Contemporary Contextual
Studies
Student Initiated Module
Student Initiated Module
Exploring Digital Illustration
Creative Thinking
Introduction to Illustration
Historical Contextual Studies
Student Initiated Module
Student Initiated Module
Drawing and Process
C
O
O
O
C
COMP
C
O
O
O
A2
A3
A4
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Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
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