Illustration FdA
University of South Wales
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.0) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

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Location

Coleg Gwent (Cross Keys)

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

2 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

Location

Coleg Gwent (Cross Keys)

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

2 Years

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Subjects

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Art & Design
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Exam type

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A level
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Access to HE Diploma
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Course info

The Foundation Degree in Illustration will teach you how to creatively develop your own style, reflecting the imaginative way you see and communicate with the ever changing world. You ll explore different contexts of image making, from traditional illustration and commercial application through to indie books, information graphics, zines, moving image, limited edition prints, surface pattern and illustrative products.You will learn to work independently, creatively and critically in a variety ...Read more

The Foundation Degree in Illustration will teach you how to creatively develop your own style, reflecting the imaginative way you see and communicate with the ever changing world. You 'll explore different contexts of image making, from traditional illustration and commercial application through to indie books, information graphics, zines, moving image, limited edition prints, surface pattern and illustrative products.You will learn to work independently, creatively and critically in a variety of contexts, as we support your enthusiasm to design, manufacture, market and sell your own work. We will support you in developing professional skills in every assignment, including creative problem solving, project management, working to a brief and completing work to a deadline. Through continuous self-reflection, you 'll develop and identify personal strengths, helping you to recognise transferable skills and how they will be useful for future employment.You 'll work on exciting live project briefs and benefit from visiting practitioners who work in the industry; delivering workshops, offering portfolio guidance, and talking about their own practice. Introducing you to explore commercial practice, we also encourage you to professionally promote yourself and also to explore your own ideas through self-directed and professional approaches which will extend the boundaries of your visual language. As you develop your interests you can choose to adapt your study to a range of creative specialisms, including editorial illustration, children 's books, independent publishing, printmaking, modelling, interactive illustration and surface pattern.You will enjoy a varied programme of cultural and inspirational trips both locally, nationally and internationally giving you the opportunity to visit galleries and other relevant locations that will inform and enhance your work.You will be part of a diverse creative environment which provides you with access to all kinds of industry standard facilities benefitting from both traditional and high-tech equipment. In both years you will have your own dedicated workspace within our illustration studio and the opportunities to work with a range of other specialist workshops and facilities in the college.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
56/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
44th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
95th
What students say
CJ
Casey Jane
18 Nov 24

Firstly, the academic support provided at USW is exceptional. The university offers a range of resource is designed to help students succeed in their studies this includes access..Read more

J
Jahdai
18 Jan 23

Campus in the centre of Cardiff making it close to lots of interesting places and we've visited a lot of places as part of our course because of how easy it is to walk around...Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

DD Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

P:45 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

MM Grades / Points required

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£7,500 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£7,500 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£7,500 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£7,500 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£7,500 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£12,300 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£12300 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Illustration reviews

Illustration
Illustration
CJ
Casey Jane
18 Nov 24
Illustration BA (Hons)
Firstly, the academic support provided at USW is exceptional. The university offers a range of resource is designed to help students succeed in their studies this includes access...
Read more
J
Jahdai
18 Jan 23
Illustration BA (Hons)
Campus in the centre of Cardiff making it close to lots of interesting places and we've visited a lot of places as part of our course because of how easy it is to walk around....
Read more
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How Illustration students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 8 reviews
5 star
26%
4 stars
62%
3 stars
12%
2 stars
0%
1 star
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How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.0) 1,399 reviews
5 star
32%
4 stars
45%
3 stars
18%
2 stars
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Uni info

University of South Wales
University of South Wales , Pontypridd

With more than 23,000 students and 2,700 staff, the University of South Wales (USW) is one of the largest universities in Wales, and...

Student rating
( 4.0) View reviews
CUG ranking
95th
University of South Wales
Coleg Gwent (Cross Keys) Risca Road Cross Keys NP11 7ZA United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Crosskeys  0.2 miles away
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