Overview

The Illustration programme at St. John's University provides students with a comprehensive foundation in narrative art, focusing on the contemporary delivery of visual stories across digital and print formats. This Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is designed to guide aspiring artists through a rigorous curriculum that emphasises drawing mastery and figurative underpinnings. By combining technical proficiency with creative expression, the programme prepares graduates for the evolving demands of the visual communications industry.

Why Illustration at St. John's University?

St. John's University holds prestigious accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), a distinction shared by selective art schools across the United States. This status ensures that the curriculum meets high national standards and facilitates a smoother transition for students wishing to pursue advanced master’s degrees. Located at the Queens Campus, the programme offers a vibrant environment where students benefit from professional studio spaces and a liberal arts foundation that fosters intellectual growth alongside artistic development.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 53980 per year
National fee: USD 53980 per year
Local fee: USD 53980 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

To complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts, students must earn 120 credits through core requirements, studio work, and art history. Studio courses meet for six hours per week to ensure intensive practical development. Modules may include:

Graphic Design
Design
Drawing
Illustration
Digital Illustration
Typography
Anatomy & Figure Drawing
Painting
Professional Practices for Fine Art and Illustration Majors

Students also engage with art history modules covering the History of Art, Historical Modernism, and the History of Visual Communications. The final year typically includes a Creative Thesis or a professional Internship to prepare students for the industry.

Careers with Illustration

Graduates of the Illustration programme are equipped to enter the visual communications industry, where they apply their skills in both traditional and digital platforms. The curriculum is specifically designed to connect students with career opportunities in diverse sectors. Illustrators often find success in fields such as book publishing, advertising, and clothing design. Additionally, the skills gained during the programme are highly applicable to roles in packaging, store displays, storyboarding, and graphics. Graduates may also pursue creative paths in video games, animation, and character design, utilising their ability to merge imagery with narrative to communicate complex ideas effectively.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Graphic Design

Color Theory

Drawing

Illustration

Digital Illustration

Anatomy & Figure Drawing

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-20 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-05-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-02-01 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

132 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New York City, United States

Disciplines

Graphic Design View 609 other Bachelors in Graphic Design in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Complete and submit an online application. There is no application fee for online summations.

Statement of activity if you have a gap in your education of more than three months between your graduation date and date of application submission

An essay and recommendation letters are strongly encouraged, but not required, for all programs except for Pharmacy, which requires both.

Official academic records and or official certificates/results from the Ministry of Education or secondary school in original language with official English translation

Official examination results (if taken) from the examining board (i.e., International Baccalaureate, General Certificate of Education, Caribbean Examinations Council, West African Examinations Council)

Students who are home-schooled outside of the U.S. need to submit a NACES member evaluation.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

53980 USD / year

≈ 53980 USD / year
Out-of-State

53980 USD / year

≈ 53980 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

53980 USD / year

≈ 53980 USD / year

Living costs

New York City

United States

1819 - 3968 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Illustration.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

New York City

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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