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London College of Communication

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BA (Hons) Virtual Reality

College
LCC
Start date
September 2019
Course length
3 years
UCAS code
I700
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Course summary

BA (Hons) Virtual Reality offers the chance to design and shape the future of the VR field, giving students the opportunity to test and work with new immersive and interactive tools for film, games, design and remote collaboration.

Great reasons to apply

  • 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

Facilities

The 3D Printer.
Image © Lewis Bush

Prototype and Code

The Prototyping Lab is a multi-purpose space that supports students in creative code and physical computing.

The Digital Space, London College of Communication.
Image © Ana Escobar

The Digital Space

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

A 3D model of a wolf produced by an animation student.
Image © Lewis Bush

Animation and Games Design

Discover the range of resources on offer to students studying Animation and Games Design.

View all facilities at LCC

Course details

As a course within the Screen School at London College of Communication, BA (Hons) Virtual Reality prioritises the development of narrative-led experiences and diversity of voices within the projects that our students create.

Students studying on the course have access to industry-standard production technologies, including a fully equipped immersive production and motion capture lab and a wide range of state-of-the-art head mounted displays.

This course provides opportunities for students to develop immersive projects and experiences and across the fields of live-action 360* filmmaking, animation and games design.

In addition to learning core workflows in software such as Unity3D and AutoDesk Maya, students will also work with on-set capture and shooting equipment to develop assets for each project they complete.

Showcasing your work

All students are advised to set up a profile on portfolio.arts.ac.uk, UAL’s new portfolio platform, which can be done at any point during your time at LCC and will last for up to 12 months after graduation.

This platform is often used to source student work for promotional use on the website, social media and for print and can be a great way of getting your work seen. You may also be asked to have a portfolio profile for the selection process when it comes to degree shows.

Course units

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. Your degree classification is determined by the relative level of grades attained in the third year.

Year 1

  • Unit 1: Introduction to Virtual Reality
  • Unit 2: Virtual Principles
  • Unit 3: Virtual Spaces
  • Unit 4: Contextual and Theoretical Studies 1

Year 2

  • Unit 5: Virtual Trajectories
  • Unit 6: Mapping Virtual Practice
  • Unit 7: Virtual Reality Design Labs
  • Unit 8: Contextual and Theoretical Studies 2

Year 3

  • Unit 9: Final Major Project: Virtual World Building
  • Unit 10: Virtual Networks
  • Unit 11: Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3

Changes to courses

Information provided by the University is accurate at the time of first publication. Courses, however, remain subject to change. Changes may be necessary to improve the quality of educational services, in order to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body, in order to bring course content in line with best practice activities across the Higher Education sector, in response to student feedback, and/or due to a lack of student demand for certain units or options.

Events may arise outside of the reasonable control of the University which lead to changes to courses. Such events may include industrial action, civil disorder, severe weather, and changes in applicable laws and/or safety requirements.

If you have accepted a place on a course, we shall notify you of any changes as soon as reasonably practicable.

Webpage updates

We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, use our register your interest form.

Staff

Danyl Bartlett

Danyl Bartlett

Programme Director, Moving Image and Digital Arts

How to apply

Opportunities for all

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.

Entry requirements

Home/EU/International

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 minimum entry requirements for this course are:

64 UCAS tariff points gained at GCE Advanced (A) Level or equivalent. (A-level subjects studied may include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences). Ideally your A-levels will be achieved at grade C or above.

Or

One subject at A-level achieved at grade C or above PLUS Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3/4).

Alternatively, you will be considered if you have achieved a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points from one of the following qualifications:

  • BTEC Extended Diploma
  • UAL Extended Diploma in Art and Design
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • Equivalent EU or Non-EU qualifications

Additionally, applicants will have achieved passes at grade C/grade 4 or above in at least three GCSE subjects.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • 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 but 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. Please check our main English language requirements page for more information.

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

Selection criteria

The portfolio, along with 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.

How we assess your application

Your application form is reviewed when you apply to the University. If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a full portfolio. We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview.

To find out more, view our Undergraduate Application Process page.

This course doesn’t require you to provide a portfolio.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in Virtual Reality, and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.

You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

Making your application

You must apply through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you’ll need the following information:

  • University code: U65
  • Course code: I700

London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Making a Deferred Application (for entry in 2020/21)

Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.

Entry to Year 2 or Year 3

If you have successfully completed year 1 of a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at LCC, you can identify the point of entry as year 2 on your application, and consideration will be given by the course admissions tutor.

LCC will consider applications for entry at Year 3 in exceptional cases only.

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

Erasmus

For further information on Erasmus and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges section on the UAL website.

International applicants can apply through either of the following routes:

Further information on applying via UCAS is provided on the University Applying through UCAS page.

For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate application page.

Making a Deferred Application (for entry in 2020/21)

Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.

Entry to Year 2 or Year 3

If you have successfully completed year 1 of a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at LCC, you can identify the point of entry as year 2 on your application, and consideration will be given by the course admissions tutor.

LCC will consider applications for entry at Year 3 in exceptional cases only.

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

Study abroad applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Virtual Reality for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.

Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.


After you apply

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

International applicants may be invited to interview in person at LCC, or via Skype if overseas or unable to attend. Details of this interview will be sent via the UAL Portal.

Immigration history check

International applicants, whether applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or by direct application, you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check, we will not be able to proceed with your application.

What happens next?

We will advise you of your application outcome through UCAS Track. If you are an International applicant and have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL Portal.

We invite all offer holders to come to LCC, from January onwards, to attend one of our Offer Holder events. Offer holders will have the chance to meet the team, find out more about the course, and see our diverse and vibrant student community in action.

Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.

Deferring your place

If you are offered a place for 2019/20 but wish to defer to 2020/21, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter.

International applicants will have to pay a deposit in order to defer. In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.

Fees & Funding

Home/ EU fee

£9,250 (2019/20).

Tuition fees for undergraduate degree courses have been set at £9,250 per year for full-time study. This applies from the 2019/20 academic year, subject to changes in the law. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.

International fee

£19,930 (2019/20).

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.

Scholarships and awards

There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.

Scholarship search

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Careers and alumni

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.

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Contact

  • Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 6500

Address

  • Elephant & Castle
  • London
  • SE1 6SB

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