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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality

Image of man in denim shirt and jeans wearing a virtual reality headset while looking and bending down within a red rectangle taped to the floor.
BA (Hons) Virtual Reality banner. Image by Ana Escobar
College
London College of Communication
UCAS code
I701
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality is a multidisciplinary, practical course that explores narrative-led immersive experiences. With access to industry-standard production technologies, you'll shape the future of the exciting and ever-evolving entertainment, film and games industries.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • Access to industry standard development technologies, animation studios and capture facilities. This includes our new state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) suites and motion capture facilities.
  • Opportunities to collaborate with students on other courses within the Screen School including but not limited to BA (Hons) Film Practice, BA (Hons) Animation and BA (Hons) Games Design.
  • Students on this course will be at the global forefront of developing Virtual Reality (VR) as both a discipline and suite of technologies, and their research will directly impact the continued growth of this industry.
  • Virtual Reality (VR) is a rapidly growing industry, producing experiences across art, design, entertainment, film, games, heritage and simulation.

Open Days

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

Explore life at LCC with our interactive Virtual Open Day.

Course overview

Situated within the Screen School at London College of Communication, BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality will enable you to develop narrative-led experiences and projects that reflect the diversity of our students’ voices.

What to expect

  • Cutting-edge facilities: You’ll have access to industry-standard production technologies, including a fully equipped immersive production and motion capture lab, as well as a range of virtual reality (VR) headsets.
  • Immersive technology: Throughout the course, you’ll have opportunities to develop immersive projects and experiences across the fields of 360-degree filmmaking, projection mapping, interactive and immersive installations, animation and games design.
  • Technical knowledge: You’ll learn core workflows in 3D modelling, animation and game engine software.
  • Practice-based tools: Course projects will support you to develop your experience with on-set capture and shooting equipment, along with post-production and real-time interactive multimedia content creation tools.

Industry experience and opportunities

BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality will enable you to develop skills relevant to a career in the creative industries, such as digital design, advertising, entertainment, games and fashion, as well as to pursue opportunities across education, heritage, culture, healthcare and wellbeing.

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake either the Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) or Diploma in Creative Computing.

Mode of Study

BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.

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.

In common with all courses at the University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. Years 1 and 2 must be passed to enter into year 3. Your degree is attained through full completion of the third year.

Year 1

Introduction to Immersive Media and Mixed Reality (20 credits)

This unit will introduce you to your course, subject specialism, and effective approaches to learning at undergraduate level.

You’ll get to know the practices and knowledge-base needed to understand your discipline, and be supported to develop skills for independent and collaborative learning, reflection and  self-development.

Principles of Immersive Media (40 credits)

You’ll be introduced to the fundamental terminology, technology and technical skills that underpin immersive content creation. You’ll develop your creative and critical ideas in immersive media whilst exploring a range of key production areas including production pipelines, 360-degree video, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and immersive media processes.

Immersive Narratives (40 credits)

Extending Principles of Immersive Media, this unit will give you a deeper understanding of how narrative is constructed, along with the tools used to create immersive experiences. You’ll have the opportunity to design and develop a series of short immersive projects that continue to explore the fundamental principles of immersive media production, and explore traditional, spatial and interactive narratives along with the importance of 360 spatial sound in immersive experiences.

Informed Practice 1 (20 credits)

You’ll be introduced to histories, theories and debates in relation to immersive media and media studies. You’ll begin to explore critical perspectives by considering how themes of climate, social and racial justice can be represented through immersive media production.

Year 2

Immersive Interaction (40 credits)

Building on your Year 1 units, this unit  defines the technical and artistic principles that underpin immersive content production - enabling you to better understand the practices and skills needed to create professional immersive  and interactive experiences.

You’ll also interrogate the user experience (UX), and develop your knowledge of user interfaces (UI), haptics and controllers in immersive and interactive media.

Professional Practices (20 credits)

Providing the tools and resources needed for you to begin building your professional skills and profile, this unit provides an opportunity to embed your learning around climate, social and racial justice by exploring how this can be represented through immersive media production. You’ll work with competition briefs and/or ‘live’ project(s) provided by industry and/or cultural partners.

Exploratory Practice (40 credits)

You’ll produce a portfolio of immersive media and mixed reality artefacts that demonstrate a developing understanding of your specialist practice and, most importantly, how that practice intersects with other mediums. You’ll work collaboratively with students across the course, programme and wider College to produce a portfolio of immersive projects that demonstrates your understanding of the broader context around your technical specialism.

Informed Practice 2 (20 credits)

You’ll develop your broader knowledge and understanding of the historical, social, theoretical and cultural developments of contemporary visual culture, and  have the opportunity to further contextualise various aspects of art and design theory in its broadest sense within the context of immersive media and mixed reality.

Year 3

Final Major Project: Immersive Experiences (60 credits)

Your Final Major Project offers the potential to collaborate, giving you the opportunity to make a significant contribution to a major project in a specialist role within a small production team. You’ll individually develop a portfolio of tested concepts, themes and techniques, and following a pitch and selection process, project proposals will go into production and become part of your Degree Show.

Professional Futures (20 credits)

Building on your experiences gained through Professional Practices in Year 2, Professional Futures focuses on tailoring skills towards a specific role within the industry and supporting you to develop strong personal and professional methods and tools of presentation, such as a CV and personal website. You’ll consolidate and present both your skills and learning relating to climate, social and racial justice, and demonstrate how that knowledge has shaped your professional skillset.

Informed Practice 3 (40 credits)

This unit is the culmination of the Informed Practice component of the course. It provides you with the opportunity to utilise all of your knowledge and analytical skills related to visual culture and critical theory through the development of a self-determined and extended piece of written work.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (Optional)

This optional diploma can be taken between Years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake a series of industry placements for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

Diploma in Creative Computing (Optional)

Between Years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Formative critiques
  • Technical workshops
  • Software training
  • Peer reviews
  • Group critiques

Online Open Day

(Recorded November 2022)

Course Leader, David McLellan, gives an overview of what it's like to study BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality at London College of Communication.

Graduate showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

Student voices

Kamila Michalak

Kamila speaks about her final project 'Time TRAIN'  a virtual reality experience for young users and children.

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

  • 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.

Teaching staff

Course Leader

David McLellan

Lecturers

Serra Ozdemir
Eric Fanghanel

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

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

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

104 UCAS tariff points which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:

  • A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences).
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4).
  • Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, IT & Computing, Media, Music and Performing Arts).
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Digital and Creative Media, Film and Production, Computing, Humanities and Social Science).
  • OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum

And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).

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;
  • 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 level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

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

The details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • An understanding of the broad applications of immersive technologies
  • A demonstrable interest in using Virtual Reality as a storytelling medium
  • Broad knowledge of either games development, filmmaking, animation or interactive media as evidenced by relevant prior qualifications.

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

I701

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

I701

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

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.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: 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.

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

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

This course provides students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to progress in range of career pathways. With the immersive industries undergoing a period of near-exponential growth some of the potential employment opportunities include:

  • Unity Developer for Virtual Reality and/or Games
  • 360° fillmmaker/editor
  • VR Creative Producer
  • Unity Designer
  • VR Animator/Designer
  • MR Experience Designer

VR is set of disciplines that are being embraced by a wide spectrum of technical and creative industries, with graduates in the field having an exceptional range of career opportunities beyond their studies.