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Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling

Course Code: UFI0001, UXI0001
  • Level: 5
  • Qualification: Foundation Degree
  • Duration: Two years (full-time), three years (part-time)
  • Course type: Full-time, Part-time
  • Time of day: Daytime
  • When you'll study: Various days, 9.00am - 6.30pm

What's it all about?

Full Fee

Full-time £7,450
Part-time £11,100 (£3,700 per year)

This Foundation Degree will enable you to develop the creative, technical and employability skills essential for working in today’s rapidly growing digital arts industry. From the pre-production process of research, context and conceptualisation, to design process and final realisation of a fully working product.

You will embrace the multi-disciplinary nature of working in the creative industries, through reflective individual practice and collaborative problem solving. You will be made critically aware of products in the context of the digital arts industry and its potential social and economic viability.

Inspired by the International Game Developers Association Curriculum Framework, the programme will work to emulate the development and production process applied in the games industry whilst promoting the academic rigour essential to contextualisation and critical reflection.

Lecturers from specialist disciplines and those with industry relevant experience will contribute to the delivery of the programme using a variety of teaching methods and approaches to include short Industry placements, practical workshops, traditional lectures, student collaboration and promotion.

Learning will be supported by summative and formative feedback as well as social media to provide support beyond the classroom and enable both student and industry networking.

Unique facilities:

  • VR/AR
  • 3D scanning and photogrammetry
  • 3D printing
  • projection mapping
  • surround sound and ambisonics
  • 360 filming and photography.

Course information

Year 1

VR Principles
This module provides an understanding of the components of the digital media industry in terms of hardware and software platforms, user engagement and motivation. You will research and identify audience receptions to significant VR developments that have standardised immersive environment conventions. You will apply the standards of virtual reality to your own work and assess the effectiveness in line with industry frameworks.

2D and 3D Art
This module aims to provide the fundamental aspects of 3D design and develop your ability to understand the importance of artistic representation in virtual environments. You will learn how to convey your VR environment through digitally drawn concept art, how to use graphics packages to create 2D assets and how to use 3D modelling techniques to create both low and high poly components.

User Experience
This unit will develop your understanding of ‘user interfacing’ and how it can be successfully implemented in your own productions. With a focus on graphical interfaces, you will also look at usability and feedback, and learn how to assess and evaluate your own designs and implementations.

Sound and Animation
This module aims to develop your ability to understand the process and tools used to create animations with sound. You will learn how to convey your productions through recording, mixing, editing sounds and creating animations with simulation and animation software to create fully composited video productions.

VR Development
This module aims to develop your understanding of the general principles and concepts of programming for VR and will allow you to apply 3D programming methods used in VR applications. You will build on your current understanding of VR conventions to design, produce, test and evaluate your own VR projects, with an emphasis on innovative locomotion and interaction.

3D Scanning and Printing
This unit introduces 3d scanning and printing as a method of creating content from scanning real world objects and spaces – it will give you an opportunity to examine and contrast the number of popular scanning and printing practices. In particular it will look at 3D laser scanning, structured light scanning and photogrammetry. It will also identify the requirements for creating 3D objects, spaces, architecture and features.

Year 2

Spatial Audio and Character Animation
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the role of surround sound and character animation in the digital art sector. You will learn techniques for creating immersive 360 sounds for your productions and the principles of motion capture, animation and rigging of 3D objects for inclusion in recorded and real time environments.

Architectural Visualisation
This module aims to develop an understanding of data visualisation. It will provide an overview of the types of industries including: product, medical, scientific, engineering, with a particular focus on the architectural industry and the frameworks and standards involved.

360 Video
This unit will develop an understanding of the immersive video industry, frameworks, standards and conventions involved. It will demonstrate the relationship between 360 photographs/videos and virtual reality to enable you to identify patterns and correlations within the industry.

VR Applications
This unit builds on programming for VR principles, and your understanding of interface design. You will learn how to develop VR applications to a professional standard of presentation, taking inspiration from existing material and software to produce satisfying user experiences. You will also explore the implementation of diverse peripheral devices and data types, in preparation for your final units.

Digital Media Production
This unit will develop your autonomy by undertaking the production and development for a live event. Guiding you through the process of selecting a subject and platform, organising a project plan, maintaining related documentation, monitoring and achieving targets in order to deliver the project outcome.

Live Events
This unit will enable you to understand the nature of the digital arts industry in order to identify areas for curating and exhibiting your work. Planning, organising, installation and delivery of an immersive live event. To promote virtual networking, social media and promotion techniques in order to construct your own social networks and structures for the promotion and marketing of own productions.

We welcome applications from those who have all of the following:

  • 48 UCAS points to include a full level 3 qualification or a T Level pass in an appropriate subject area
  • five GCSEs including maths and English at grade 4 or equivalent qualification.

Relevant work experience will be taken into consideration where entry requirements might not be met.

 

Work related learning will be implicit through student collaboration, subject networking and product promotion. The nature of the programme dictates that use of various immersive technologies will be a necessary form of assessment and therefore true to the industry, however, practical assessment will be combined with traditional modes of assessment such as essays and reports to ensure the combination supports rigorous academic standards.

  • 50% coursework
  • 50% practical
  • No exams

On successful completion you may be able to progress to:

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