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Concept and Comic Arts BA (Hons)

Gain practical experience in a variety of visual mediums as well as traditional and contemporary digital tools, techniques and practices, and get set for a career in the creative industries.

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Overview

Our course encompasses two distinct practical themes - concept art and comic art, both of which focus on fundamental, traditional art skills and contemporary digital techniques.

In concept art you will be helped to master a range of industry-focused tools and techniques for developing pre-production, production and post-production art for the film and video game industries. In comic art you will develop a practical understanding of idea generation, visual storytelling and visual communication.

These two themes mean you will access a wide range of creative possibilities and opportunities. They are underpinned by contextual studies to inform and enhance your practice through an exploration of the historical, cultural and social contexts of the wider world of print and web-based comic arts, graphic novels and visual communication.

The course features regular guest lectures and workshops, giving you an opportunity to experience first-hand what it takes to design successful content. Our studio culture encourages peer collaboration and networking with industry professionals to support you as you create your portfolio.

You will be able to develop skills in your own special interests and graduate as a skilled comic and concept artist, ready to work in a range of roles across the creative industries.

Key features

  • Engage with learning and teaching through hands-on practical activity, supported by our expert academic team and vibrant studio culture. 
  • Benefit from special guest lectures to enhance your understanding of the industry and learn directly from film and game industry professionals. 
  • Produce your own portfolio to enhance your employability, by taking final-year modules in Personal Exploration and Professional Practice.
  • Through block teaching, you will focus on one subject at a time instead of several at once. This means that you will be able to focus closely on each subject and absorb your learning material in more depth, whilst working more closely with your tutors and course mates.
  • Gain a valuable international experience as part of your studies with our DMU Global programme. Students from related courses have been inspired by urban architecture in New York and explored the cultural context of art in Berlin. 
  • Get one-to-one support to develop your drawing skills and meet like-minded creatives at the Leicester Media School Drawing Centre. 

 

Find out what makes a great portfolio

Concept and Comic Arts portfolio advice

 

News stories

Strong debut for DMU degree during global pandemic

 

 

 

 

  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: W223

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees and funding: 

2022/23 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

How to apply

Order a prospectus

Book an Open Day

Submit a study-related enquiry

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: W223

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees and funding: 

2022/23 tuition fees for international students: £15,250

Find out more about available funding for international students.

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

How to apply

Order a prospectus

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

  • 120 UCAS points from at least two A-levels with Art and Design at grade B or above, or
  • Art and Design BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DDM

Plus, five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics or equivalent.

Alternative qualifications include:

  • Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE Art and Design course with at least 15 level-3 credits in Art and Design at Distinction. English GCSE required as a separate qualification
  • Art and Design Foundation Diploma: Pass 

We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course or

  • International Baccalaureate: 30+ points including Art and Design at higher level grade 6 or

Portfolio Required: You will also need a good portfolio according to the course guidelines as part of your application. Portfolio guidance for Concept and Comic Arts.

Interview Required: No

UCAS tariff information

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications

English language

If English is not your first language then an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent) is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

 

More courses like this

Structure and assessment

Education 2030

We want to ensure you have the best learning experience possible and a supportive and nurturing learning community. That’s why we’re introducing a new block model for delivering the majority of our courses, known as Education 2030. This means a more simplified timetable where you will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. You will have more time to engage with your learning and get to know the teaching team and course mates. You will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life.

Find out more information about Education 2030.

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

 

 

Year one

  • Block 1: Visualisation
  • Block 2: Design Thinking
  • Block 3: Making Comics
  • Block 4: Concept Art

Year two

  • Block 1: Visual Narrative
  • Block 2: World Building
  • Block 3: Professional Practice Comics
  • Block 4: Character Building

Year three

  • Block 1: Professional Practice
  • Block 2: Dissertation
  • Block 3: Personal Project: Planning and Pre-Production
  • Block 4: Personal Project: Production and Post-Production

 

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.


See pre-Education 2030 version of this course.

Teaching

Students will engage with learning and teaching primarily through hands-on practical studio activity. A vibrant studio culture supported by academic and technical staff encourages individuals to achieve their full potential. Learning is supported by practical workshops, seminars and lectures. Extensive use is made of online tools to support an enthusiastic programme community.

The programme features regular guest lectures and workshops from a range of professionals, including alumni, giving students a unique opportunity to experience first-hand what it takes to design and develop successful game content.

The curriculum focuses on practical hands-on activity, focusing on learning through content creation and reflection with two distinct practical themes;

1. concept art

2. comic arts

underpinned by a third,

3. contextual studies

Assessment

The assessment strategy will include regular presentations of work in progress for formative feedback and guidance purposes, and final summative assessments by portfolio of completed work and supported by evidence of reflective practice.

In the final year, students will develop their own portfolio of professional standard work, guided by artists from relevant industry and the teaching team.

Facilities and features

Placements

Art Studios

We have excellent specialist facilities that include a professional digital studio boasting Cintiqs for digital painting and industry-standard software such as Photoshop.

In addition to this, our digital studio cultivates your creativity with floor-to-ceiling whiteboard walls that allow you to sketch and doodle in large format with your cohort. But you won't just be pushing pixels, next door you will have access to professional drawing board desks to allow you to realise your creations in traditional format, bringing your drawing skills to the next level. Our classrooms are equipped with a range of HD AV lecture equipment for experiencing lectures in crystal clarity.

Leicester Media School

You will have the opportunity to receive support from the Leicester Media School Drawing Centre, which provides extra-curricular support for developing artists and designers to have a creative forum and discourse. 

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities Learn more
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Graduate Careers

 

We expect graduates of this course to work as 3D artists, visualisation and VR artists, environment artists, character artists, concept artists, technical artists, team leads, studio managers, producers and directors.

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DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers. 

Through DMU Global, we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

While overseas DMU Global opportunities are not currently possible, DMU will continue to review government advice and if travel is permitted, we hope to offer overseas opportunities in the future.

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Placements

Work-based placements are one of the best ways to boost your skills and experience, and can often lead to your first graduate role.

They are the perfect means of discovering how your studies relate to the real world, and provide an opportunity to improve your confidence and make contacts to help you get ahead in the job market.

DMU’s dedicated Placements Teams can help you by providing access to hundreds of opportunities, giving one-to-one CV advice and interview preparation, and offering training sessions and support from a dedicated tutor.

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