"I can't afford to study graphic design at university"

First things first, we get asked so many questions every week.

If you didn’t already know–anyone can book a chat with one of our team, and we’ll jump on a call to answer any questions you might have. Our chats range from practical questions about financing and timings, through to helping you figure out which course is right for you or providing reassurance.

The bright idea

We're already having chats with prospective students, so we thought: Why not share the questions we get the most with you all? Think of this as our FAQs long read or us telepathically knowing what you’re going to ask (because someone already did) and doing all the hard work for you. You’re welcome.

Taking the next steps in your creative journey can be daunting. So we’ll be asking some graduates, teachers and our team to help out with your most asked questions.

We hope it goes without saying. If you’d prefer to chat, go ahead and book one. We love to chat. But if you’re more the reading kind–keep scrolling.

The big FAQing question

I want to study design but I can't afford a university degree–how do I know Shillington is good value for money?

The big FAQing answers

"Time is money, and being able to gain these skills in a such short time was invaluable to me. My mindset was that the faster I could learn, the faster I could get a job with a wider skillset and start earning more."

Immy (2023 full-time graduate), Sydney, Australia

"Anyone else from the U.S. will get it—I have student loans from my first degree, and taking on more debt didn’t seem like a wise choice.

From what I found, Shillington’s full-time program costs significantly less than graduate school, and what I gained from the course was invaluable."

Georgia (2024 full-time graduate), NYC, USA

“Money was a huge factor in my decision. I knew I couldn't afford to do another degree (or have the time!). When I did my research, Shillington was the only option I could find that taught the practical and creative tools I needed from scratch, and helped you build a portfolio at the end. And at a fraction of the cost of university.

I started freelancing literally the week I graduated so it was great to start earning again so quickly.”

Chloe (2024 full-time graduate), London, UK

"After 10 years at Shillington, I’ve seen countless students transform their lives through our graphic design course. But I’ve also seen one of the biggest barriers to taking that leap: the price.

We’ve always believed that a world-class education shouldn’t be out of reach and we hope our payment options mean studying graphic design is more accessible. It’s always been about breaking down barriers and creating opportunities—for anyone ready to change their future, chase their passion, and step into the creative industry."

Clay Allison, Managing Director