Master of Illustration
- Degree Structure - Start In
- Semester 1 (February) or Semester 2 (July — part-time only)
180
Overview
Master of Illustration
Introduction
Develop technical skills across a range of traditional and digital media with UC’s Master of Illustration (Millust).
This degree enables you to adapt your practice to a wide range of illustration contexts. An emphasis on visual storytelling and narrative development prepares you to communicate powerfully in your chosen profession, whether for picture books, editorial, animation and games, education, marketing, science, or other mediums.
You will be encouraged to think critically, engage with cultural and ethical questions, and reflect meaningfully on your creative practice and the role of illustration in the world to grow your skills to become a creative leader with a distinct visual language and developed authorial voice.
Master of Illustration
What will my study involve?
- Develop your illustration practice and visual style with courses in different traditional and digital mediums.
- Learn how to integrate storytelling and narrative through characters and scenes, symbolism and form, and other forms of visual communication across different media.
- Grow strong industry connections by learning practical business skills, developing brand identities, and engaging in internships and practical, portfolio-based assessments.
- In your final semester you will also undertake an internship, gaining real-world experience through a supervised community-based project. You will also work independently on a research project, producing a significant body of work and a thesis.
Master of Illustration
Entry requirements
To apply for the Master of Illustration, you will need to have one of the following from your previous studies:
- a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, with at least a B grade average in your 300-level courses
- any bachelor’s degree and relevant professional or other work experience
- a Postgraduate Certificate in Illustration with at least a B grade average
- a Postgraduate Diploma in Illustration with at least a B grade average
- other qualifications of an equivalent standard.
If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.
For the full entry requirements, use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
You can apply online at myUC.
You will also need to provide a portfolio of your relevant work with your application.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
Master of Illustration
How do I plan my degree?
The MIllust is made up of 180 totally points, which includes four compulsory courses followed by a final internship course and a final research project.
Beginning in February each year (or July if studying part-time), the programme will take 18 months to complete full-time, or part-time within five years.
Master of Illustration
Subjects and courses
Compulsory courses
- FINA630 Business of Illustration
- FINA631 Illustration Mediums
- FINA632 Language of Illustration
- FINA633 Narrative Illustration
Internship and Research Project
In your final semester, you will take part in an internship with a local company and carry out an independent body of research (producing a piece of visual work and a 6,000 word research summary) based on your interests and artistic practice.
- FINA634 Illustration Research Project
- FINA635 Illustration Internship
Master of Illustration
Master of Illustration
Career ready
The programme fosters strong industry connections that prepares you for dynamic roles in publishing, entertainment, design, digital media, education, and science communications.
Career pathways could include:
- illustrator artist for media such as comics, novels, educational publishing
- concept artist for games and screen media
- brand designer for companies
- art director or creative lead roles.
