Fashion & textiles

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You could do a higher national diploma or degree in illustration or a related subject like fine art or graphic design.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You could do a course in art and design to help you become an illustrator.

Apprenticeship

You could take an apprenticeship to learn some of the skills you need to get started as an illustrator, like:

• Junior VFX Artist or Assistant Technical Director Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Junior Animator Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct application

If you do not have art or design qualifications, you can contact companies directly to share examples of your work.

You can find information on the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook on how to:

• get started as a freelance illustrator
• prepare a portfolio
• find a publisher

More information

Career tips

As a freelance illustrator you'll need a portfolio to showcase your work. You'll need this to get onto a course or to show clients.

You might want to create your portfolio on:your own website; a blog; social media platforms like Instagram

If you're working freelance, you can sell your work directly or through an agent.

Agents have access to a large network of buyers and will take a percentage of your sales as commission. The Society of Artists Agents has details of agents as well as examples of artists' work.

Further information

You can get more details about working in illustration from the Association of Illustrators (AOI).

You can get information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

View all vacancies in this region

If you work freelance, you'll need to build up and maintain a client base.

You can use your illustrating skills in a variety of sectors including:advertising; fashion and merchandising; publishing; websites and computer games

With further training and experience you could specialise as a medical illustrator or scientific illustrator. You could also move into teaching.

You can get more details about working in illustration from the Association of Illustrators and Creative Choices.