Virtual and Augmented Reality,MSc

Immersive experiences, including virtual and augmented reality, are the most exciting new mediums to emerge in the 21st century. On this Masters, you’ll be working on a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: shaping and pioneering a medium that’s already having a major impact on our society.

• You'll have the chance to choose between two distinct pathways, depending on your interests.
  — 3D Graphics and User Experience Pathway (an MA)
  — Programming and Computer Science Pathway (an MSc)
  For each pathway, you can choose to complete either an internship or self-directed research project.
• You’ll be creating virtual and augmented reality that is informed by both the technology and psychology of the medium, so you can create powerful experiences that make the most of its distinctive features.
• This technology is used in a huge variety of industries including medicine, advertising, journalism and mental health therapy. When you graduate you’ll have the skills to work in these industries, as well as in more traditional gaming and film roles.
• We treat virtual reality and augmented reality as interlinking technologies – you’ll be working in both areas and the various types of Mixed Reality that combine the two. You can also learn other areas of computing that can be applied to Virtual and Augmented Reality such as data visualisation, interactive art, games technology, machine learning and AI.
• This programme is co-led by two leading researchers in the area of XR research. You will be working with a strong team of 10+ XR researchers (researchers and PhD students) from the SeeVR Research lab.
• As well as being taught by leading experts in VR/AR experience, you’ll benefit from our links to an extensive network of VR companies. We regularly welcome them to campus to deliver talks.
• We offer a work placement programme that will help kick-start your VR career.
• You’ll have access to a dedicated V&AR lab. The facilities will be updated each year to keep up with technology but they currently include a range of high-end head mounted displays including Oculus Rift, HTC VIVE Pro and Windows MR, each with high end graphics PCs. You’ll also have access to mobile VR set ups (Oculus GO) and a professional motion capture suite that is synchronised with an HTC VIVE for full body-immersive experiences.
• Our general computing facilities include the HatchLab, our maker space that can be used for, among other things, fabricating custom VR input or output devices.
• We also offer an abridged online version of this course, which you can try before registering for the full-time postgraduate course. Find out more on Coursera.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Marco Gillies or Sylvia Xueni Pan.

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject.

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

Will you need a portfolio?

To apply for the MA route, you’ll be required to submit a portfolio of relevant work as part of your application. This can include any form of creative work, ideally using digital tools such as existing VR, AR or games work, but also film production, design work or fine art.

To apply for the MSc route, you’re welcome to submit a portfolio to support your application, but this is optional.

​In some instances, we may ask to see more of your work or attend a short interview.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Where this degree can take you

Our programme opens multiple career options including:

• Creator of Virtual and Augmented Reality experiences for digital agencies specialising in contract work
• Virtual and Augmented Reality artist working either independently or within the context of creative SMEs or larger organisations such as the BBC
• Games Developer specialising in Virtual and Augmented Reality Games on PC, mobile, or Sony PlayStation VR
• Virtual and Augmented Reality creator associated with more traditional platforms, for example creating VR experiences linked to film, television or games
• Designer of Virtual or Mixed Reality tools for education, for example medical training
• Designer of Virtual or Mixed Reality apps for domains such as healthcare (including mental health), engineering or social media/remote conferencing

As well as technical developer roles, once you graduate you would also be well placed for roles such as junior producers in all these industries

You may also gain the skills to develop your independent research questions, which could lead to postgraduate research. Many of our graduates have now progressed on to doing a PhD in this area.

Placement opportunities

Students are able to take a paid placement in place of an academic final project. We have a strong network of VR and AR companies and studios and have a succeeded in placing a large number of students, the majority of which have gone on to permanent jobs in the organisation. In additional to paid commercial placement, we offer the option of projects that are sponsored and co-supervised by non-profit organisations (eg healthcare) or other academic departments or institutions.