Immersive & Virtual Reality MA

Program Overview

The Immersive & Virtual Reality MA at UCA Farnham equips students with the skills and knowledge to create VR/AR/XR experiences for various industries. The program emphasizes collaborative learning, industry engagement, and access to cutting-edge technology. Graduates can pursue careers as producers, instructional designers, software developers, and more.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Focus: Bringing new worlds and experiences to life through virtual and immersive reality (VR/AR/XR) technologies.
• Duration: One year (full-time)
• Location: UCA Farnham campus
• Start date: September 2024 or September 2025
• Entry Requirements: Honours degree (or equivalent) in the subject/related discipline and/or relevant work experience.
• Course Aim: Equip students with the skills and knowledge to create VR/AR/XR experiences for various industries, including architecture, education, healthcare, and entertainment.

Outline:

• Integrated International Pre-Masters option: Available for students with non-UK educational backgrounds.
This one-year preparatory course develops English language skills, specialist knowledge, and research skills necessary for postgraduate study in the UK.
• Term One:
• Fundamentals of Virtual and Immersive Reality:
Explores the history and key outputs of VR/AR/XR, along with key theories and concepts.
• Research Methods in Creative Technologies: Learn methods for analyzing and assessing creative technologies and interactive experiences.
• Professional Practice: Choose between a collaborative project with students from other postgraduate programs or a creative business start-up option.
• Term Three:
• Final Major Project:
Culminate your learnings and skills to create an ambitious and achievable XR experience project.
• Showreel Compilation: Compile a showcase of mini-projects and prototypes developed throughout the program.
• Exhibition: Celebrate the completed projects with a final exhibition.

Assessment:

• Methods: Varied assessment methods will be used depending on the specific module, including coursework assignments, project work, presentations, and examinations.
• Criteria: Emphasis will be placed on originality, creativity, technical competence, critical thinking, and effective communication of ideas.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods: A combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, individual tutorials, and independent study.
• Faculty: Experienced staff with expertise in XR development, storytelling, game design, and creative technologies.
• Unique Approach: Focus on collaborative learning, industry engagement, and access to cutting-edge VR/AR/XR technology and software.

Careers:

• Potential career paths: Producer, instructional designer, WebAR developer, software developer, design/graphics engineer, AR/VR maintenance, XR gameplay and tools engineer.

Other:

• Fees: £10,500 for UK/EU students, £18,000 for international students (2024/25 entry).
• Scholarships and financial support: Available for UK/EU students and alumni.
• Course costs: Additional costs may include books, printing, study trips, and project materials.
• Facilities: Access to high-end computer labs, VR development studios, games incubator studio, sound production and Foley studios, and specialist libraries.

UK:

£10,500

EU:

£10,500 (see fee discount information)

International:

£18,000 (MA), £17,500 (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - 30 weeks), £8,750 (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - 15 weeks)