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United Kingdom

University of the Arts London

MA Virtual Reality

University degrees: Postgraduate

Course length: 1 year 3 months full time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA Virtual Reality (VR) at London College of Communication provides the opportunity to explore and develop the application of VR technologies across filmmaking, visual effects (VFX), animation, games and immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences.

MA Virtual Reality will equip you with the technical resources and specialist guidance needed to test and develop virtual experiences across a range of media platforms including 3D computer animation, 360-degree filmmaking, games and interactive AR applications.

What can you expect?

You’ll experiment with new approaches to the use of these technologies, as well as explore the design and conceptualisation pipeline for these virtual experiences.

Across Terms One and Two, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and utilise an array of VR software pipelines including VR painting, 3D modelling and environment design, 360-degree video capture and games development.

The course prepares you to progress into the fast-growing VR industry, as well as into sectors such as animation, film, television, games and marketing, which are all quickly adopting VR technologies.

Mode of Study

MA Virtual reality is in Full Time mode which runs for 45 weeks over 15 months. You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study.

Contact us

To register your interest and receive information and updates about studying at UAL, please complete this form.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for or to ask a question, please contact us.

Course units

Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves five units, totalling 180 credits.

Autumn, Term One

Unit summary:

  • Creative VR Project Portfolio (40 Credits) 

In this unit, you will have the opportunity to explore the full breadth of creative VR applications and begin to explore ways to utilise various software palettes and workflows to develop immersive products.

  • Designing Immersive Experiences (20 Credits)

In this unit, you’ll explore the methods, techniques and critical theories that underpin the conceptualisation and design of VR experiences.

You’ll explore the principles of animation, alongside film and games concept development and use these to develop strategies that help to establish the language and workflow of VR design.

Spring, Term Two

Unit summary:

  • Critical Practice and Exploration (40 Credits) 

During this unit, you’ll draw on your knowledge of VR workflows and technical methodologies in order to produce a portfolio of advanced experimental, technical and critical practice.

This could take the form of interactive application, games or immersive narrative experiences.

  • Collaborative Unit (20 Credits)

As part of the LCC Screen School-wide strategy to enable collaboration and a project-focused approach to creative practices, you will use this unit as an opportunity to work as part of a cross-disciplinary creative team.

You’ll be encouraged to work with postgraduate students across other courses within the Moving Image and Digital Arts Programme including MA 3D Computer Animation and MA Games Design, as well as courses in other programmes within the Screen School such as MA Sound Arts and MA Film.

Summer, Terms Three and Four

Unit summary:

  • Final Project and Thesis (60 Credits) 

At this final stage of the course, you’ll bring together the knowledge, skills and experience gained throughout your studies to produce a self-directed, longer-form VR project, alongside an associated thesis.

Students will specify, refine and produce an ambitious and substantial VR project that will show that they have an in-depth critical awareness of the area and the highly developed practical skills in production management, design and execution of immersive experiences to deliver a complex project on time.

This major project will demonstrate that the appropriate level of academic and technical proficiency has been reached for the award of a Masters degree.

Programme specification

Download course specification (PDF File 223.2 KB)

Course dates

Autumn, Term 1

28 September 2020 – 4 December 2020

Spring, Term 2

4 January 2021 – 12 March 2021

Summer, Term 3

12 April 2021 – 23 July 2021

Autumn, Term 4

4 October 2021 – 10 December 2021

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Seminars,
  • Tutorials
  • Critiques
  • Workshops
  • Software training
  • Individual research exercises
  • Self-directed study
  • Peer reviews

Assessment methods

  • Submission
  • Written research and critical reports;
  • Review of design development portfolios;
  • Presentations and formal critiques;
  • Project work;
  • Exhibition of project portfolios;
  • Written thesis.

Programs, Courses, Workshops

  • MA 3D Computer Animation
  • MA Animation
  • MA Documentary Film
  • MA FILM
  • MA Games Design
  • MA Screenwriting
  • MA Sound Arts
  • MA Television
  • MA Virtual Reality
  • MA Visual Effects
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