Why Study / Key Benefits

The University of Canterbury (UC) Postgraduate Diploma in Illustration (PGDipIllust) is a 120-point postgraduate programme designed for students who want to develop advanced illustration skills, build a professional portfolio, and prepare for creative-industry careers.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced traditional and digital illustration techniques.
• Explore different illustration mediums and develop an individual artistic style.
• Learn visual storytelling, narrative literacy and sequential storytelling.
• Develop skills relevant to children's books, editorial illustration, graphic novels, character design, concept art and science communication.
• Build a professional portfolio suitable for creative-industry opportunities.
• Learn the business side of freelance illustration and studio practice through Business of Illustration.
• Suitable for both emerging artists and professional artists wanting to strengthen or broaden their practice.
• Provides a possible pathway to UC's Master of Illustration after completing the diploma with the required academic performance.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The PGDipIllust consists entirely of four compulsory 30-point courses:

1. FINA630 – Business of Illustration
   • Focuses on the professional and business aspects of illustration.
   • Helps students understand freelance/studio practice and the commercial side of creative work.
2. FINA631 – Illustration Mediums
   • Develops practical skills across illustration media.
   • Students can explore traditional and/or digital approaches.
3. FINA632 – Language of Illustration
   • Explores visual language, communication and the ways images communicate ideas.
4. FINA633 – Narrative Illustration
   • Focuses on storytelling through illustration, including narrative development and sequential visual communication.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The formal subject of the qualification is Illustration. There are no separate named majors or specialisations listed in the current regulations.

However, students can develop an individual creative direction through their choice of illustration techniques, media and areas of interest.

Potential areas include:

• Children's book illustration
• Editorial illustration
• Graphic novels
• Character design
• Concept art
• Science communication
• Traditional illustration
• Digital illustration
• Sequential storytelling
• Visual narrative

Programme Highlights

• 120-point postgraduate qualification.
• One-year full-time option.
• Up to three years part-time.
• February and July starts.
• Four compulsory 30-point courses.
• Strong practical and portfolio-development focus.
• Traditional and digital illustration approaches.
• Narrative and visual storytelling.
• Professional business and freelance practice.
• Portfolio-based admission.
• Both campus and distance-learning course occurrences are currently listed.
• Potential pathway to the Master of Illustration.
• UC's Master of Illustration includes the same four diploma courses plus additional study including an industry internship and independent research project.

Career Outcomes

The programme prepares graduates for creative-industry roles involving illustration, visual communication and design.

Potential career areas include:

• Publishing
• Children's publishing
• Editorial illustration
• Entertainment
• Brand and marketing design
• Digital media
• Science communication
• Education
• Freelance illustration
• Studio illustration
• Concept art
• Visual storytelling

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current UC programme is active and listed among UC's Arts postgraduate qualifications.

Important current requirements and conditions include:

• Admission is limited.
• A portfolio is compulsory for every applicant.
• The portfolio must contain 12 image-based pages.
• A written artist's statement of no more than one A4 page is required.
• Applicants should demonstrate both final work and aspects of their creative development/methodology.
• Programme Director permission is required for the compulsory Illustration courses.
• The formal regulations allow students who complete the diploma with a B average or better to apply for the Master of Illustration and potentially transfer/subsume their credits, subject to approval.

The current regulations also state that:

• A student who fails up to 30 points may, with approval, repeat or substitute the relevant course(s).
• A student who fails more than 30 points will be withdrawn from the qualification.
• The qualification may be awarded with Merit or Distinction under UC's general regulations.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student intending to study this qualification in New Zealand will generally require a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of tuition funding or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Evidence of genuine study intentions.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for outward travel or an appropriate onward-travel arrangement.