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Undergraduate

UAL Diploma in Apple Development

Rocio Aloe Rey working with computing components
Rocio Aloe Rey working with computing components, UAL, 2021, Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
College
UAL Creative Computing Institute Start date
September 2023 Course length
1 year

The UAL Diploma in Apple Development (optional year at CCI) will give you an opportunity to become an accredited apple developer by undertaking a learning programme designed by Apple themselves and especially adapted to the UAL context. On successful completion of the diploma and the final year of your undergraduate degree you will graduate with an enhanced degree title i.e. BA Hons, Design (with Apple Development).

About this course

Training in the programme is aimed at developing apps for the Apple’s innovative and vibrant app ecosystem. The course focuses on software development and app design with an emphasis on creativity and collaboration to empower and allows you to develop the skills needed to succeed.

An exciting chance to develop and apply contemporary computational skills for the digital creative industries. Throughout the course you will acquire a contemporary set of applied computing skills covering the dominant coding languages and workflows that support innovation in the Apple ecosystem and creative practice. You'll build apps, craft digital experiences, explore machine intelligence and more. Through exposure to a variety of computational technologies and a set of computing and coding skills – much in demand across the digital sector, you'll be equipped to work in a variety of roles within the digital and development industry.

Apple logo, reads Apple Authorised Training Centre for Education

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Course overview

The UAL Diploma in Apple Development will give you an opportunity to become an accredited apple developer by undertaking a learning programme designed by Apple themselves and especially adapted to the UAL context. Training in the programme is aimed at developing apps for the Apple’s innovative and vibrant app ecosystem. The course focuses on software development and app design with an emphasis on creativity and collaboration to empower and allows you to develop the skills needed to succeed. On successful completion of the diploma and the final year of your undergraduate degree you will graduate with an enhanced degree title i.e. BA Hons, Design (with Apple Development).

As a student at the UAL Creative Computing Institute, you will study in a specialist and research rich environment. The Institute provides dedicated technical resources and access to an Institute wide lecture programme and further opportunities to engage with Institute researchers and practitioners through additional events, seminars, and workshops. By studying at the UAL Creative Computing Institute, you will join a network of creatives excited by the potential of computational technologies.

Furthermore, studying the diploma will develop considerable transferable skills by undertaking the diploma as part of your UAL experience. These include, design presentation skills, digital collaborative working, digital information management and remote team working.

Course units

Terms One/Two (UAL Block 1)

This first block of units is studied in parallel.

Introduction to the course: we recognise that you will be joining the course with differing levels of technical skill. You will be introduced to the study of coding and assessment practices within the CCI in term one.

Coding One: Swift and Swift UI (20 Credits)

Drawing on Apple’s "Develop in Swift Fundamentals" curriculum.  This unit gives you the opportunity to develop your coding skills in the Swift language and introduces the Swift UI frameworks key to the practice of Apple application development and prototyping.

Product One: Team App Design, User Experience Research and Rapid prototyping (20 Credits)

Drawing on Apple’s "Develop in Swift Explorations" curriculum.  This unit explores the process of designing apps for the iOS platform and introduces UX methodologies, collaborative development approaches and high-fidelity prototyping using Apple tools.  

ML One: Introducing Machine Learning with Core ML (20 Credits)

The unit is a mix of practical tasks introducing the core Apple ML frameworks and seminars that look at emerging practice across the arts and creative industries that employ some level of artificial intelligence.

Terms Two/Three (UAL Block 2)

This second block of units are studied in parallel.

Coding Two: Further Apple Frameworks (20 Credits)

This unit explores further Apple frameworks to develop 2D games. You will gain experience using frameworks such as SpriteKit.

Product Two: Individual App Design and Launch (20 Credits)

In this unit you will develop an app concept for Apple’s iOS. This will give you both an understanding of the development process using the standard Apple development tools and build on your Swift learning in an applied context.

ML Two: Making Models with Create ML (20 Credits)

This unit explores the creation of bespoke Machine Learning models using Apple tools and specifically the Create ML framework.

Learning and teaching methods

To enable students to demonstrate achievement against the unit learning outcomes, learning and teaching methods will include:

  • Lectures and seminars
  • Studio/lab-based practice & masterclasses
  • Project work
  • Technical Tuition
  • Collaborative problem-solving & group work
  • Independent Study

Pastoral care: pastoral care is delivered by an individual tutorial programme as well as support from the local student services teams at Peckham Road. You are also able to contact the course leader directly via email or  CCI communications tools such as Slack. These also provide access to the CCI technical team who can support equipment requests based on financial hardship.

To further support students, we provide continued Slack (or similar) access to CCI for technical and peer support during final year of study on return to their college.

Watch the online open day

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

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

£24,550

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

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.

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Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

Admission to the Diploma adheres to progression regulations where students are expected to have completed 2 years’ previous study up to Level 5 (or equivalent) in the subject area of their course. Should students fail any credits, during that period, progression regulations would apply whether they could undertake the Diploma year.

View the University’s Regulations on Admissions.

The selection procedures for the course adhere to the Equal Opportunities policy of the University of the Arts London.

The Diploma in Apple Development is an optional aspect of UAL undergraduate courses. For those students who do take up the option to apply for the Diploma, it is designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through your overall course.

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • Some experience of creative coding even if limited
  • Evidence of visual and conceptual creative abilities
  • A clear commitment to the chosen field of study
  • The potential to develop the full range of practical, expressive, critical and conceptual skills necessary to complete the course
  • The ability to benefit from the learning environment and experience
  • The ability to communicate and discuss issues and ideas both verbally and in writing
  • The ability to manage your own time and initiate projects

Selection process:

  • You can apply directly to the Institute via web form in the apply section of the course page.
  • You will need to provide some personal details and 400 word statement about “why you’d like to undertake the Diploma and your experience of creative computing.”
  • You can provide a portfolio link but this is not required.
  • There are two rounds of applications, one in March and one in June.
  • We confirm your place within a short period after each deadline and then confirm your progression to us with your home college.
  • You must be in good academic standing to progress to the CCI (i.e. not be carrying any referred units).
  • Prior to your application we encourage you to attend/view an online open day which you can see on our YouTube channel.
  • Any queries about the process can be directed to cci@arts.ac.uk

Apply now

Home International

Applications for 2023/24 entry are now open.

Please apply using our online form.

You will need to be logged in to your UAL email account to complete your application

Key Dates:

  • The first round of applications for the Diploma are open until Friday 24 March 2023  
    Please note that due to limited places and following your completion of this application, we will inform students who we’re able to make offers to by Friday 21 April 2023.
  • The second round of applications for the Diploma are open until Sunday 28 May 2023. 
    Please note that due to limited places and following your completion of this application, we will inform students who we’re able to make offers to by Friday 23 June 2023.
  • Funding: students in receipt of UK student loans will normally be eligible for funding in this additional year of study within your degree programme in the usual way, however we will check your individual eligibility with you during the admission process.

Applications for 2023/24 are now open.

Please apply using our online form.

You will need to be logged in to your UAL email account to complete your application

Key Dates:

  • The first round of applications for the Diploma are open until Friday 24 March 2023  
    Please note that due to limited places and following your completion of this application, we will inform students who we’re able to make offers to by Friday 21 April 2023.
  • The second round of applications for the Diploma are open until Sunday 28 May 2023. 
    Please note that due to limited places and following your completion of this application, we will inform students who we’re able to make offers to by Friday 23 June 2023.
  • Funding - this is an extra year of study within your degree programme so will need to be funded by you.
  • Study visas - on confirmation of offer we will work with you to check if any extension to your study visa is required and cannot confirm your place in the diploma until these are satisfied.

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After you apply

Communicating with you

After you have registered your interest with us we will invite you to information sessions.

What happens next?

Following the review of applications we select a number of applicants to undertake the diploma and will work with you to confirm your place on the diploma.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive communication via email once your offer of a diploma place is secured.

Careers

Developing your skills

Adding the a UAL diploma to your current UAL degree means you will possess a material understanding of computational technologies and a set of computing and coding skills much in demand across the digital sector.

Career paths

Diploma students will be well paced to work in the following roles:

  • iOS App Developer
  • Software Developer
  • UX Developer
  • Creative Technologist
  • Creative Developer
  • Web Developer
  • IoT / Smart Products Developer
  • Front – End Developer
  • Digital Strategist
  • Live Events Technologist
  • Technology Researcher
  • Machine Intelligence Developer
  • Broadcast Technologist
  • IT Specialist
  • Digital Project Manager
  • Digital Entrepreneur
  • Digital Creative
  • Interactive Designer

UAL Creative Computing Institute

Contact

Telephone

Address
UAL Creative Computing Institute
45–65 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF