Children’s Book Illustration at UCA

The MA in Children’s Book Illustration at UCA Farnham is a dynamic, industry-focused programme designed for illustrators eager to engage with young readers through both traditional and experimental forms of storytelling. Taught by practising children’s book illustrators with strong connections to publishers and agents across Europe and China, the course offers a unique blend of creative exploration and professional insight.

Students are encouraged to push boundaries in how stories are made and communicated—whether through print, digital platforms, or immersive formats—while developing a distinctive voice that resonates with today’s global audience of young readers.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the children’s book publishing industry reached a global market value of over $4.7 billion in 2024, with the UK contributing £237 million to that figure. Our MA programme is crafted to help illustrators confidently enter this thriving and competitive market, equipped with the skills, networks, and creative vision to succeed.

Please note: this course is subject to validation. 

Key information

Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2026
Duration
1 year full-time
Jump to...
Entry requirements
Tuition fees

Upcoming webinars

We offer a range of webinars throughout the year that Children’s Book Illustration students may be interested in.


This includes subject talks, masterclasses, application proccess advice and student life guides. Check out our upcoming webinars and book your place today.

What you'll study

What you'll study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

Module one
In this first module, you will develop sequential narratives based on themes that you propose using primary research to inform your making. You will investigate various approaches to visual storytelling, and you will be encouraged to explore diverse media and techniques for their communicative potential.

Module two
This module will encourage you to explore how children's books are shaped by our perceptions of childhood, literacy, and education. You will reflect on how cultural frameworks and psychological perspectives influence illustrators, and connect these insights with your own practice and experiences.

Module three
In this module, you will develop a practice-based project that explores the interactive possibilities of children’s book illustration. Through an emphasis on experimental processes, you will investigate a variety of methods, approaches, and media, exploring both material qualities and the potential of digital tools, to create a visual work intended for children.

Module four
This module provides the opportunity to investigate the potential for collaborative practice, You will identify and make contact with an external partner, with whom you will agree a project plan and agree outcomes. By working with an external partner, you will have the opportunity to place your work in a wider contemporary context, and engage new audiences.

Module five - Major Project
The Major Project is a culmination and celebration of your studies. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your advanced understanding and application of the research techniques, concepts, and skills that you have engaged with over the course of your MA. By applying the learning developed from previous units, you will reflect professional acumen, social awareness and contemporary context, and will deliver a portfolio of work that is industry-ready.

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Fees & funding

Fees & financial support

Tuition fees - Sept 2026

  • MA course: £10,800

Tuition fees - Sept 2026

  • MA course: £10,800

We offer a fee reduction to the equivalent of UK student fee for duration of the course. This is available to all applicants who are a national of an EU country and a resident in the EU or UK. The scholarship will be automatically awarded if you meet all the eligibility criteria. You do not need to complete an application form, see fee discount information.

Tuition fees - Sept 2026

  • MA course: £18,540

The fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only, for details of previous years please see the full fee schedules.

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of financial support information available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

Current UCA students and alumni may be eligible for a tuition fee discount.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources. Discover what support you might qualify for please see our scholarships and fee discounts.

Additional course costs

In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. 

Career opportunities

Many graduates will choose to work as freelance or in-house illustrators for children's book publishers, creating visuals for picture books, middle-grade novels, and young adult literature. 

Some graduates also consider perusing careers in educational publishing, such as designing illustrations for textbooks, e-learning materials and educational games. 

Other graduate roles include: 

  • Art Directors: Graduates with leadership skills and a keen eye for art direction may take on roles as art directors in publishing houses or design firms. 
  • Content Developers: Graduates may choose to work in content development roles for educational institutions or online platforms, creating educational and engaging content for children. 
  • Freelancers and Independent Artists: Many graduates will establish themselves as independent illustrators, taking on a wide range of projects and building their personal brands. 

You may want to undertake further study or research to specialise even further.

Entry & portfolio requirements

For this course we may need to see your portfolio for review. You can either submit a digital portfolio or request an in-person portfolio review with the course team.

Select your country to find the equivalent requirements

Apply now

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