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Postgraduate

MA Virtual Reality

Ludmila Moleman, 2019. MA Virtual Reality, London College of Communication, UAL | Photo: Alys Tomlinson
College
London College of Communication
Start date
September 2024
Course length
1 year 3 months full-time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA Virtual Reality (VR) 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.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

Open Evenings

The next Open Evening for this course will be announced soon.

Course overview

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 to 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 1 and 2, 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.

Course units

In response to the Climate Emergency, UAL has embedded responsible practices within the curriculum. We shaped our courses around principles of social and racial justice, and environmental sustainability that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values for ethical practice and empower you to work towards an equitable future.

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 1

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 2

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 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 3 and 4

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.

Learning and teaching methods

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

Online Open Day

Course Leader, Ana Tudor, gives an overview of studying MA Virtual Reality at London College of Communication.

Student Voices

Yiran Wang

Titled ‘Melomaniac’, Yiran’s project is a virtual reality (VR) music gig.

Inga Masliy

Inga's final project uses augmented reality to recreate a destroyed church in Russia.

Mila Moleman

Mila tells us about why she chose LCC's MA in Virtual Reality and collaboration on the course.

Graduate showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • Unzen Dungeon VR
    Unzen Dungeon VR, Hong Nam Le, 2023 MA Virtual Reality, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Secrets of the Arcana Library: VR Escape Room
    Secrets of the Arcana Library: VR Escape Room, Hong Nam Le, 2023 MA Virtual Reality, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Bulimia
    Bulimia, Shujing Shen, 2023 MA Virtual Reality, London College of Communication, UAL
  • The 8oc
    The 8oc, Neeti Kumar, 2023 MA Virtual Reality, London College of Communication, UAL
  • ETIDORHPA | VR Experience
    ETIDORHPA | VR Experience, Mostafa Seyyed Ebrahimi, 2023 MA Virtual Reality, London College of Communication, UAL

Course stories

Facilities

  • Students using the computers in the Digital Space
    Student in Creative Technology Lab, 2020. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Tim Boddy

    Creative Technology Lab

    A multi-purpose space that supports students with: Creative Coding, Physical Computing, Projection Mapping, Games, and Virtual Reality.

  • Red light indicating recording is taking place.
    Image © Vladimir Molico

    Lens-based and Audio-visual

    Find out about the workspaces and studios that support Lens-based and Audio-visual practice.

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    The Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£13,330

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

Applicants will be considered for admission if they have achieved an educational level equivalent to an honours degree in either animation, illustration, visual communication, graphic design or closely related subject, and present a portfolio of moving-image work. However, we do not exclude candidates who have graduated from other less strongly aligned disciplines.

This educational level may be demonstrated by:

  • Honours degree (named above);
  • Possession of equivalent qualifications;
  • Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;
  • Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

If you do not meet these entry requirements but your application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative relevant experience, you may still be considered. This could include:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit. We cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

  • IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.

All classes are taught in English. If English isn’t your first language, you will need to show evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. For further guidance, please check our English language requirements.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

  • Sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in games development, film, animation or VFX practice to be able to successfully complete the programme of study, and have an academic or professional background in a relevant subject
  • Knowledge of visual culture and an ability to engage in critical discussion

 

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

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How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum 20 pages
  • consist of image-led and visual work from a minimum of 5 projects
  • include a 3D, live action/VFX or animated showreel of at least 60 seconds in length. Please state your role and the techniques that you’ve used.
  • include examples of strong image making or interactive content that has a sense of sequential play
  • highlight your strengths, skills and interests in a specific area or angle within the field. For example, your portfolio could demonstrate your desire to work with sound and interactions in a virtual format.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

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