BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art

This three-year or four-year international route Bachelor of Arts in Comic and Concept Art will introduce you to the fundamentals of the creative industry, specifically focusing on comic and concept art, and provide you with the opportunity to refine a career path in this specialised field.

Faculty of Creative Industries

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Programme Overview

This programme provides an in-depth look at industry workflows, allowing you to enhance your ability to visually communicate ideas and narratives. Taking into account the diverse backgrounds of other students, it fosters a unique, collaborative learning atmosphere, enriching your educational journey.

The programme is delivered 100% on-campus with full access to state-of-the art facilities.

In partnership with the highest-ranking creative education institutions, we aim to attract the most creative minds to generate expert professionals who will be equipped with the creative and practical solutions required in the professional graphic design landscape. You will earn a bachelor’s degree with 120 UK credits per year (equivalent to 60 ECTS per year). This helps student mobility in the EU when it comes to transferring credits from one higher education institution to another.

A Bachelor of Arts Comic and Concept Art is typically designed for individuals who have a strong interest and passion for visual storytelling, character design, and conceptualisation within the context of comics, graphic novels, and related art forms. to confidently formulate and pitch ideas professionally, as well as work on screenings.

Here are the types of individuals who might benefit from and enjoy pursuing a BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art:

Individuals who aspire to become comic book artists and want to develop the specific skills required for creating sequential art.

Those with a background or interest in illustration or concept art who wish to specialise in the creation of characters, environments, and visual narratives.

Individuals who have a love for graphic novels and want to learn how to create their own stories through the combination of images and words.

People interested in animation or game design who want to specialise in character design, world-building, and storytelling through visual elements.

Those with a passion for storytelling and a desire to express narratives visually, using both traditional and digital art techniques.

Students with a background in art and design who want to focus their studies on the specific skills and techniques required for comic and concept art.

Aspiring storyboard artists who want to enhance their skills in visual storytelling and narrative development.

Programme Fee

Hamburg : October

BA 2025 October: International students Price: €11,000 | EU Students Price: €8,450

Foundation International Route 2025: Feb, Oct: International students Price: €11,000 | EU students Price: €8,450

Special offers: Up to 30% savings for International Students | 10% savings for EU Students Terms and conditions apply.

Portfolio Scholarship Competition

Students have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and the chance to receive a scholarship on tuition! This competition is valid on the Faculty of Creative Industries programmes being offered at the Hamburg campus.

Best Portfolio (Study for Free!)

1 Student | 100% Scholarship on Tuition

Second Best Portfolio

10 Students | 50% Scholarship on Tuition

Third Best Portfolio

20 Students | 40% Scholarship on Tuition

Find out more about how to apply here.

YEAR 1

  • Visual Design Fundamentals
  • Equality Diversity and Inclusion
  • Design Sprint 1
  • Narrative Development for  Concept & Sequential Art
  • Design Sprint 2 Digital Outcome

YEAR 2

  • Advanced Workflow and Techniques
  • The Conscious Practitioner
  • Concept Story Design
  • Character and World Building
  • Industry Brief
  • Environmental Storytelling
  • Personalised Learning Experience: Digital portfolio or online showcase

YEAR 3

  • Final Major Project Pre-production
  • Final Major Project: Critical & Conceptual Influences
  • Professional Practise Final Major Project Production

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The School’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Apply good knowledge of English to communicate relevant international, cultural, contemporary knowledge and historical, theoretical and professional contexts.

Application to the industry

  • Apply autonomy to deliver primary and secondary research involving the identification and use of relevant resources.
  • Demonstrate understanding through the application of knowledge, creative design processes, and practice to meet the client outcomes defined in the brief.
  • Apply knowledge of narrative theories and concepts using academic research, demonstrating analytical skills appropriate for the subject area.
  • Provide evidence of applying equality, diversity, and inclusion approaches and principles to one’s own creative practice.

Skills

  • Demonstrate professional skills through project management presentation and communication of ideas.
  • Demonstrate the application of technical and professional skills, working effectively as an individual or in a team towards creating and presenting work to a specific brief. This should evidence professional responsibility and effective time management.
  • Develop an in-depth technical skillset to demonstrate their broad level of authorship and agency in their creative practice.
  • Evaluate forms of ‘othering and belonging’ in relation to normative attitudes within creative practice. Develop an awareness of the impact of EDI on game design, considering diverse perspectives and experiences.
  • Create a body of work that demonstrates a consistent, refined, and considered application of appropriate advanced art, design, or development techniques. This should be within the context of your chosen genre or format related to entertainment design.
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Career Progression

If you have a passion for comic and concept art, numerous exciting career paths await you. You can become a Comic Book Artist, illustrating captivating stories in graphic novels. Alternatively, explore the realm of Concept Artistry, contributing to the visual development of video games, movies, or animations. Specialise further as a Character Designer, crafting unique personas, or delve into Background Artistry to create immersive environments. Your skills could also lead you to roles like Storyboard Artist, Illustrator for books or marketing materials, Game Artist, or even pursuing freelance opportunities. The possibilities are vast, allowing you to shape your creative journey in diverse and dynamic ways.

BSBI’s dedicated Careers Service helps digital marketing students and alumni reach their career goals and realise their potential. The Service offers specialised support and aims to build long-lasting relationships with local and national employers.

Visit the Careers Service website.

Foundation International Route Option

Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 11 years of schooling)

 (if applicant is 17 and turns 18 within 3 months of enrolment still eligible for enrolment)

How to create an exceptional portfolio will be available in this integrated international route foundation in art design and media course to guarantee you a direct progression into your BA degree course.

Academic Qualifications: ECCTIS UK equivalent to GCSE

BA (Hons)

Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 12 years of schooling)

For direct Year 1 BA entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal.

Academic qualifications: A school leaving certificate with a pass to pursue higher education in Germany e.g. Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or Matura. Alternatively, an international baccalaureate, international school leaving certificates, BTEC/national diploma or advanced vocational certificate of education will be accepted.

If you do not meet the above academic requirements, applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements:

Access to Proof of English Guide (UCA) here.

You can apply now to study with BSBI! It’s quick and easy, here’s how it works:

  • Create an account here
  • Select the programme and intake you want to apply for
  • Complete all sections of the online application
  • Submit online application
  • Our Admissions Team will liaise with you with regards to next steps

BSBI, in partnership with leading creative institution, University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is offering the opportunity to enrich your vocational qualification with this Year 3 direct entry bachelor’s degree in just a year.

The course will enable you to reach your full design potential with the help of industry experts. You’ll build a strong portfolio of powerful software skills and demonstrate effective thinking methods to navigate the challenges of today’s creative industry.

This course is ideal for those looking to enhance their expertise, confidence and skills in graphic design. You’ll become equipped with the latest skills in digital design software in order to produce an industry-standard portfolio for future career opportunities.

This Year 3 direct entry programme is tailored to students looking to build upon their knowledge of the graphic design industry and clearly communicate their creative ideas through a final major project.

Modules
Contextual Research and Critical Perspectives
Final Major Project
Professional Practice

Key Facts
Location: BSBI Hamburg Campus
Duration: 1 year (full time)
Intakes: October
Awarding body: University for the Creative Arts
PriceBA 2025 October | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
PriceFoundation International Route 2025: February/October | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)

Entry Requirements
Graduates from a vocational academy/institute are not required to present a portfolio upon certified successful completion of their vocational training and are eligible for a direct entry into year 3.

Same is applicable for students who completed HND in Graphic Design, Illustration or Animation or direct year 3 progression upon successful completion of level 5/Year 2 by a UK awarding body.

English language requirements:
Graduates from a Schengen zone vocational academy/HND/ Level 5 progression by UK awarding body are not required to present an IELTS language test but required to pass BSBI English diagnostics test which will be provided by BSBI for direct entry year 3 BA Degree.

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Computer Equipment

In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. We, therefore, recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop. Please click below to read more about the technical requirement.

Technical Entry Requirement

Your Portfolio Submission

For year 1 entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal. Before submitting your artwork, please have a look through the Portfolio Cookbook

What is a portfolio?

  • Your portfolio is a collection of your best work. We want to see what inspires you, how you develop your work, your creative thinking processes, how and what you create and what makes you a unique creative individual.

What should my portfolio contain?

  • Your portfolio might contain sketches and paintings, digital art and design. It might also contain sound work, short films.
  • Upload up to 12 pieces of work which can include audio or video files.

How do I submit my portfolio?

  • We’ll only be accepting portfolios digitally. You can do this once you’ve applied via our online submission system within the Applicant Portal.
  • You can also link to external websites such as Vimeo and YouTube.

Further information on how to compile and upload your portfolio will be provided by our admissions team via our admissions portal once you have applied.

Learn all about what Hamburg has to offer as an international study destination by clicking here

Hear from our students and alumni


Learn more about their BSBI journey
  • "BSBI creates a fun and interactive environment where it opens conversations and doors to create new connections."

    Aya

    UAE

  • "Improve my ability to understand different cultures, live with people from other backgrounds, and enhance my language skills."

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    Karla
    Dominican Republic

The Virtual Student Lounge

BSBI offers you the opportunity to attend our Virtual Student Lounge to help you gain an insight into life at the school. Through a video call consultation, you’ll be able to get a virtual campus tour, learn more about our programmes, bursaries and scholarships, and get answers to any questions you might have regarding the admission procedure.

You’ll also be able to discover more about living and studying in Europe’s start-up capital, Berlin and find out more about the services on offer at BSBI.

Book your place

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art is a three or four-year international route programme that introduces students to the fundamentals of the creative industry and provides an in-depth look at industry workflows, allowing students to enhance their ability to visually communicate ideas.

Completing a BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art programme at BSBI opens a wide range of career opportunities in various sectors of the creative industries. Students will gain the skills and knowledge to pursue roles such as Comic Book Artist, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist and Illustrator.

Delivered 100% at BSBI’s Hamburg campus with access to state-of-the-art facilities, the BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art programme provides a platform for a successful career in the creative industries. There is a lot of scope for exciting career opportunities and to help students fulfil their career goals and realise their potential.

With multiple intakes per year, tuition fees for BSBI programmes start from €7,450. Check out our current programme offers here.

Yes, international students can apply for BSBI’s BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art programme. BSBI has a diverse student body that represents a wide range of nationalities, creating a multicultural campus experience.