Online Master’s in Illustration

Take your creativity further with a flexible, online master’s degree in illustration. Explore advanced techniques, refine your artistic style, and develop a portfolio that showcases your unique talent.

Earn your master’s degree in illustration online and study at your own pace

Our fully online master’s degrees in illustration empower you to develop your visual voice, sharpen your technical skills, and expand your creative practice. Study flexibly with expert-led courses from top universities — and gain the confidence to take your work to a professional level.

Why you should choose an online master’s in illustration

Flexibility and convenience
Designed for creative professionals and aspiring illustrators, our online programmes allow you to balance study with work and life. Learn from anywhere in the world and access coursework on your schedule.

Develop your artistic style and industry readiness
You’ll explore illustration in both traditional and digital forms, learn to communicate ideas visually, and build a professional portfolio. Programmes often include client briefs, critiques, and guidance on self-promotion and freelance practice.

Career advancement
Graduates move into roles such as freelance illustrator, visual storyteller, editorial artist, art director, or concept designer. Many also expand into teaching, publishing, or working with creative agencies and production studios.

Earn valuable skills with our range of online master’s degrees in illustration

Studying illustration at the master’s level helps you deepen your creative approach while developing practical industry-ready skills. You will explore and refine:

Narrative and conceptual development
Learn how to communicate stories and ideas through compelling visual sequences and compositions.

Traditional and digital illustration techniques
Strengthen your skills in drawing, painting, digital tools (like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate), and mixed media.

Visual storytelling and character design
Explore how to develop memorable characters and engaging visual narratives for print, digital, and multimedia platforms.

Professional practice and portfolio building
Develop a body of work that showcases your style, versatility, and readiness for client-based or freelance opportunities.

Contextual studies and creative research
Gain insight into illustration history, trends, ethics, and cultural context to inform and inspire your practice.

FAQs

Graduates often pursue careers as freelance illustrators, editorial artists, visual storytellers, concept artists, art directors, or creative entrepreneurs. Others go on to work in publishing, advertising, design, gaming, or education.

Most online master’s programmes in illustration take between 1 and 2 years to complete, depending on your pace and whether you study part- or full-time.

Tuition varies by university and programme structure. Online degrees are typically more affordable than on-campus options. With FutureLearn, you can access illustration degrees from top creative institutions at competitive prices.

Explore related subject areas

Browse similar fields of study that align with your interests. These related subjects can expand your options or complement your chosen degree path.

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