MA in Children's Book Illustration

Experiment with methods, explore ideas and critically reflect on your practice to develop your own personal visual vocabulary. Create original children’s book projects, supported by a team of internationally-recognised illustrators.

The first course of its kind, MA Children’s Book Illustration was established at Cambridge School of Art in 2001 and is led by Course Leader Shelley Jackson. Over the last twenty years, we’ve seen hundreds of graduates publish children’s books around the world, many to critical acclaim. Students and graduates often dominate national and international awards, too.

This taught, studio-based postgraduate degree is offered full-time or part-time. You’ll develop your practice in the art of children’s book illustration in a supportive, open and friendly studio environment with leading practitioners.

100% overall satisfaction: our course received the highest possible score for student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2022.

On each module of this Master's course, you’ll propose and develop a project guided by our leading team of tutors—all practitioners with a wide range of specialisms. Teaching is primarily through one-to-one and group tutorials, seminars, workshops and studio critiques, in which you will learn about relevant theories, contexts and practices. As the course progresses, you are increasingly encouraged and expected to develop your work and research independently so that you’re prepared to enter the role of a freelance illustrator upon graduation.

You’ll work in our dedicated illustration studios overlooking the Ruskin Gallery, with access to a fully equipped printmaking studio, other specialist facilities, and open-access life-drawing sessions. With studio culture at the heart of the MA, you'll share and discuss your work with other students, attend course-wide lectures that will inform your studio practice, and participate in community activities.

Since its foundation in 2001 by Professor Martin Salisbury, we have welcomed students from around the world who benefit from our international reputation and professional practice events. After graduation, we offer support to help you build connections in the children’s publishing industry through optional opportunities to showcase your work at Ruskin Gallery in Cambridge, in London, online and at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. As a taster for our MA Children’s Book Illustration course, you might also be interested in our Children's Book Illustration Summer School.

Teaching times

Full-time: either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday, with additional activities on some Wednesdays. You will be expected to work independently on coursework for the remainder of the week, as you would a full-time job.

Part-time: Wednesdays only. You will be expected to devote at least 1-2 additional days per week to independent coursework.