Starting semesters
· Winter semester: September
· Summer semester: March
The Illustration programme at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) combines the classic arts such as painting, drawing and graphic art with the fascination of current design with the help of modern, digital techniques. Illustrations visualize complex content in newspapers, magazines, infographics, advertisements, posters, websites, and apps. They tell stories in picture books and comics and create entire films or virtual worlds in storyboards and concept arts.
Brochures Apply Now Gallery
· Winter semester: September
· Summer semester: March
Standard: € 708 monthly
Save additional € 70 each month with our starter bonus.
Please find out more about our fees, discounts, and how you can fund your studies.
Standard: € 12,100 yearly
For more information on discounts, please contact us by filling out the form below.
Please find out more about our fees, discounts, and how you can fund your studies.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
180 ECTS (6 semesters)
· Individual development
· Small learning groups
· Creative freedom
Berlin (English)
Hamburg (German)
This programme consists of six semesters. Find out what will you study by downloading the curriculum.
Curriculum Bachelor Illustration
They study and deepen the art of drawing not only as a professional foundation but also as an elementary cultural technique for communication and idea generation. In a creative atmosphere, you will learn artistic and application-oriented, experimental and classical, analog and digital working methods of painting, drawing and printmaking and how to apply them professionally. As an illustration student, you will tell stories, illustrate books or create entire films in comics and storyboards.
Your lecturers and professors are internationally working illustrators and artists who will share their experiences from their professional practice with you. Illustration is a young, growing programme of studies, which with its lecturers from the practice, the integrated semester abroad or practical semester and a variety of elective modules as well as interdisciplinary seminars will give you the best possible start into the profession of an artist.
We have cooperations with e.g. Reporters without Borders, Botanical Museum Berlin, Bioeconomy Council of the Federal Government, Charité Berlin, Theater an der Parkaue and many more. And also offers creative guest lectures and workshops with artists like Cannaday Chapman and Oliver Kugler.
Due to the development of digital media, working methods, requirements, technical workflows and application ranges are also subject to constant change. Nevertheless, the art of drawing is indispensable as a technical basis; and as an elementary cultural technique for communication and brainstorming. To illustrate means to invent pictures, to develop your own visual language, experiment, think visually and work. But it also means translating texts into graphic ideas, researching a wide variety of topics, finding adequate solutions and always staying curious.
In the bachelor's degree in Illustration at our university, you will learn exclusively from renowned lecturers from the creative industry and you can use the professional equipment of the UE for analog and digital technologies for your study projects. The focus of our teaching is your individual development in small study groups and a friendly, familiar and creative atmosphere. Through our interdisciplinary selection of subjects, a large number of practical projects and a semester abroad or internships; you can actively shape your studies and your career path.
Illustrators see themselves as artistic partners of editorial offices, advertising agencies, design offices, publishing houses, museums, and game and film productions. They are not only in demand as service providers but also contribute their ideas, experience and creative attitude in an advisory capacity. They usually work as freelancers. The language of images is universal - that's why the world is open to illustrators.
Depending on specialization and inclination, the range of tasks ranges from children's book illustrations, from magazine pages to advertising campaigns, infographics to scientific illustration, and from packaging design to concept art for computer games. Especially in comics, graphic novels, animation films and other, artistically freer projects, illustrators appear as independent authors.
If you work as an illustrator after studying illustration, your salary depends on various factors. For example, it makes a difference whether you have completed creative training or a special degree, whether you work as an employee or freelancer and, above all, in which industry you work and what experience you have gained so far.
In the advertising industry, salaries are generally higher than in the press and publishing industries. As a starting salary in a permanent position, you can expect to earn around 2,000 to 2,300 euros gross per month after graduation. According to StepStone, experienced illustrators in Germany earn an average of around 2,700 euros, while gehalt.de speaks of 3,000 euros per month.
Freelance illustrators receive an hourly wage of around 50-150 euros, depending on the industry and experience, although the Association of Illustrators (IO) recommends a wage of at least 60 euros per hour.
In the B.A. Illustration Design you always learn in small groups with a seminar character. Our lecturers are internationally successful and well-known experts in their field and not only impart important knowledge, but also support you individually during your studies.
Whether foundation diploma, internship, specialisation modules or semester abroad - our interdisciplinary and practically oriented study subjects allow you to tailor your studies entirely to your personal interests, preferences and strengths.
The state-recognised Illustration Design degree programme at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences is available in either German (Hamburg) or English (Berlin) - our university has several international campuses and welcomes students from over 100 nations.
Practical experience is essential - that's why we offer the optimal framework conditions for all degree programmes. Take advantage of the MacPools, various studios and VR equipment for your projects and prepare yourself optimally for your future professional life.
Choosing the right study degree that is matching your interests best can be hard. For the upcoming semester, we offer you the chance to get a sneak peek into your desired study programme. Our foundation diploma will allow you to understand your professors as well as teaching material of the different creative study programmes more in-depth. Obtain a degree that matches your strengths and interests best. This offer applies to the following Art & Design degrees at UE:
Important note: Please select "Undergraduate + Foundation" as the programme type when applying via our online portal.
Apply now for your Illustration Design studies! The application deadlines end shortly before the start of each semester, so you can also start at UE at short notice. However, you can apply up to one year in advance - simply fill out our application form online.
In addition, we require a portfolio for the Bachelor's degree programme in Illustration, consisting of a selection of your projects. How exactly you present yourself and which work samples you would like to include is your own decision. If you still need help with your portfolio, our regular portfolio workshops are a useful option.
Please prepare 15 samples of work - in addition to illustrations and drawings, a sketchbook and other projects that demonstrate an interest in the subject area are also welcome. We also like to see themed series and concept sketches.
Important: In the application phase, you must have already decided on which of our degree programmes you would like to study. However, please note that you may change programmes at a later time if desired.
UE is awarding scholarships for young talents in the field of art & design at our Hamburg and Berlin locations every semester. Apply for the Creative Minds Scholarship - not only will you secure financial benefits for your Bachelor's degree in Illustration, but you will also lay the first foundation for your future career.
Get more information and access to the application form here.
As a private university, the University of Europe for Applied Sciences offers above-average services for its students - from state-of-the-art technical equipment and internationally renowned teaching staff to a comprehensive range of practical projects. Only in this way can we optimally prepare you for your next career steps.
However, this also means that our tuition fees differ from those of public universities. In addition to our scholarships, we offer students other options for financing their illustration studies. You can find more important information on our website about tuition fees and financing, and our student advisory service will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Gain access to internships and real- life projects in a range of leading companies and cultural institutions.
Gain access to internships and real- life projects in a range of leading companies and cultural institutions.