BA Illustration

About the course

A three-year (six-semester, 180 ECTS) course taught in English in Berlin. It covers drawing, painting and printmaking from the basics up, plus digital illustration and concept art, comics and storyboarding, and building your own style. In the fifth semester you can do an internship or a semester abroad.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• UE publishes no rules specific to the Irish Leaving Certificate. Under German recognition rules (KMK/anabin), the Leaving Cert gives direct entry to arts subjects if you have six subjects. Two must be at Higher Level with H5 or better and the other four at H6/O6 or better. The six must include two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better. There is no extra Maths requirement for arts. LCA and LCVP are not accepted. Confirm with UE admissions.
• A portfolio is required. UE has a downloadable portfolio requirements sheet for Illustration on its admission requirements page. You also send a motivation letter of at least 500 words. The programme page says the admission test (a short essay) is only for non-EU applicants.
• English: UE asks for B2 level, for example IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 60, Cambridge First 160 or Duolingo 100. UE does not say whether Leaving Cert English is accepted instead, so ask admissions before booking a test.

How to apply

1. Prepare a portfolioDownload UE’s Illustration portfolio requirements from the admission requirements page. Include drawings, sketchbook work and digital pieces.
2. Apply onlineCreate an account at apply.ue-germany.com. Upload the application form, CV, passport or ID, school transcript or Leaving Cert results, a motivation letter of at least 500 words and your portfolio.
3. Proof of English and reviewCheck whether UE accepts Leaving Cert English or needs a test such as IELTS Academic 5.5. UE then reviews your application and portfolio.
4. Contract and enrolmentIf you get an offer, you sign a study contract and receive your admission letter. Apply by 1 September 2027 for an October start.

Costs

• UE is a private university. The programme page gives the fee as ‘from €6,662 per year’, marked as a current saving offer with terms and conditions, so the fee you actually pay may be higher. Ask a UE student advisor for your exact fee in writing. UE’s fees page says tuition includes the enrolment, examination and thesis fees. The same page also lists a registration fee of €490 and a technology fee of €89 a year, and a fee of €250 per semester if you pay by instalments. Ask UE which of these apply to you. On top of that, budget for the Berlin semester transport ticket (€205.20) and for rent.

At a glance