School of Art, Design and Architecture

BA (Hons) Virtual Reality Design

UCAS tariff 96 - 112
UCAS course code W286
Institution code P60
Duration 3 years (+ optional placement)
Course type Full-time
Location Plymouth
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Apply via UCASo

Immersive technologies (such as virtual reality, augmented reality, immersive audio and mixed reality) enhance traditional 2D experiences by putting us inside incredible virtual environments or by blending the real world with augmented digital content. Learn to design immersive media and create content that will influence communication, work and play in the future.

Virtual Reality Design

Apply for 2023 entry

This course is not recruiting for September 2022 entry. Join this exciting course in September 2023.

Careers with this subject

The combination of new digital tools and devices with the creative skills you will learn on this course will not only equip you to develop new content but to contribute to the creation of whole new markets and industries. From immersive gaming and interactive art to flight simulations and surgical training tools, the possibilities are endless.

Key features

  • Join our community. Be part of a vibrant and creative academic community in the School of Art, Design and Architecture.
  • Collaborate. Work with students from across the University from the Schools of Health, Engineering and Business.
  • Lead the way. Be at the cutting edge of this exciting emerging sector of the creative economy.
  • Learn from experts. Draw on support from specialised tutors with extensive industry and academic experience.
  • State-of-the-art facilities. Access to the School’s Immersive Technologies Suite.
  • Real-world experience. Engage with live client briefs, giving your creativity real-world impact, and learn how to build and sell your own immersive products, services and experiences.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • The first year allows you to experiment with a range of immersive technologies and learn the fundamentals of immersion, narrative, character and environment creation. You will undertake a series of short, quick workshops and projects that help you to develop key skills in producing compelling content for immersive media.

    Core modules

    • Stage 2 Placement Preparation (FAPY200)

      Building on the Level 1 module (FAPY100), this module continues to support you with the search for your placement and preparation for the placement itself.

    • Production, Processes and Workflows (IMR501)

      This module provides an opportunity for students to develop particular workflows and working methodologies while developing engaging content that sits within the chosen digital framework.

    • Enterprise Contexts (IMR502)

      This module explores the dynamic changes sweeping through traditional industries such as health, heritage, tourism and manufacturing brought about by the impact of new immersive technologies. Group production projects will create opportunities for students to explore the practical issues of developing interdisciplinary projects.

    • Live Brief (IMR503)

      This module allows students to work individually to develop a solution to a live brief to produce an immersive experience.

    • Commercialising Immersive Experiences (IMR504)

      This module introduces students to the concepts of entrepreneurship through the practical exploration of creative enterprise. This module affords students the opportunity to develop a new product/company related to the immersive/experience economy.

  • Year 2

  • The second year of the course introduces you to the numerous commercial contexts in which immersive media can add value and be deployed. It provides you with valuable enterprise and entrepreneurial skills that will be essential in your future employability. You will additionally learn how to develop your own workflow process and continue to learn more essential technical and creative skills.

    Core modules

    • Digital Art and Technology/Internet Design Placement (FAPY604)

      An extend period of professional training (at least the duration of both teaching semesters - 36 weeks) spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company (either a paid placement or unpaid internship). This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

  • Placement year (optional)

  • Use this year to get a placement in industry, work for yourself as a freelancer, or take the opportunity to develop your own business or idea for an immersive service or product. A well spent placement year will help you to broaden your range of skills and appreciate your final year in the context of real-world development.

  • Final year

  • Your final year allows you to develop a major piece of independent work, which will consolidate the skills you have learnt throughout the course and provide you with an excellent portfolio piece. You will also develop additional collateral for self-promotion when you are seeking employment.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

96 - 112

From a minimum of two A levels.

GCSE
Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English.

International Baccalaureate
28 points overall.

Other
Applicants are not required to share a portfolio with us; however, doing so may allow us to guarantee you a place or consider applications that do not meet the normal academic requirements.

Optional informal interviews are available and take place on Zoom. Your Zoom interview will be arranged by our academic team. If you have any questions, please contact our Admissions team by email at applications@plymouth.ac.uk or call us on +44 1752 585858.

English language requirements

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications, please refer to our tariff glossary.

Fees, costs and funding

The UK is no longer part of the European Union. EU applicants should refer to our Brexit information to understand the implications.

New Student 2021-2022 2022-2023
Home £9,250 To be confirmed
International £14,200 To be confirmed
Part time (Home) £770 To be confirmed
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. For more information about fees and funding please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/money.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Meet the programme leader