Postgraduate Taught

Immersive Design in Extended Realities

A student and lecturer with a VR headset in digital design studio
A group of students gather round an outdoor table with one wearing a virtual reality headset
A view from the cockpit of a race car simulator showing the steering wheel and a race track on a large screen
A male student with an alternative reality headset over his eyes
This exciting new Masters programme has been launched to plug industry skills gaps and will put you in pole position for future roles using some of the world’s most exciting technologies.
By blending the practical and theoretical, you’ll graduate ready for a career in the rapidly growing immersive reality industry or ready to take your skills into a wide range of sectors.
You’ll get creative working with cutting-edge equipment on campus such as Virtuix Omni VR Treadmill and Viper – one of the highest-spec computers in England.
Be part of a whole new frontier with industry research estimating the immersive economy will enhance more than 400,000 jobs by 2030 and add £62.5billion to the UK economy.
A student and lecturer with a VR headset in digital design studio
A group of students gather round an outdoor table with one wearing a virtual reality headset
A view from the cockpit of a race car simulator showing the steering wheel and a race track on a large screen
A male student with an alternative reality headset over his eyes

This exciting new Masters programme will ready you for a career using some of the world’s most exciting technologies.

Covering virtual and augmented realities as well as mixed realities, you’ll work on your own and in groups on cutting-edge software to push boundaries and create immersive user experiences, supported by expert teaching on how to apply human factors to your creative concepts.

Designed specifically to plug industry skills gaps, you’ll develop technical and personal skills plus a portfolio to put you in pole position for future roles in the dynamic field of immersive design.

  • Build your portfolio

    of immersive design applications

  • £250,000 investment

    in cutting edge tech

  • Growth area

    for immersive research funding opportunities

  • Game engine

    partnerships including Epic Games

  • Develop

    practical and professional skills

Swipe
Course overview
Module options

About this course

Whether you have your eye on a career in gaming or can see the huge potential of mixed (MR), virtual (VR) and augmented (AR) reality in different industries, use this course to equip yourself with skills to catapult you into your dream role.

Blending the practical and theoretical, you’ll work on projects to develop game engine tool and framework skills. We’ll teach you how to build in human factors including immersive user experience considerations in 360o design. And you’ll learn how to develop immersive audio techniques along with 3D and design workflows.

Collaborate and learn critical project management skills as you design and develop your concepts. Build a portfolio by working on challenging projects then deliver a substantial final immersive project.

You’ll solve complex, real-world problems using our state-of-the-art equipment, Media Lab, and game engine partnerships.

What are you waiting for? Step into our world.

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Immersive Technologies and Platforms

This module will introduce the metaverse landscape and discuss the human factors of immersive design. You will explore the applications of real time game engine-related tools, evaluate and learn a range of tools that will facilitate the creation of interactive immersive experiences with economy and rapidity. You will be introduced to the importance of the user experience and design problem-solving techniques to be used within the remaining modules.

Core•30 credits

Immersive Audio-Visual Design

Gain an understanding of underlying design principles and concepts with an introduction to foundational technical and creative skills that will underpin the development of your immersive design portfolio. This module has been designed in collaboration with leading industry practitioners, ensuring its currency and industry relevance.

Core•30 credits

Designing for Virtual Reality

Extend your knowledge of game engines, to design and deploy virtual reality projects. Real VR projects, including entertainment, industry workflows and games beyond entertainment, will be used to inform you of the growing design landscape.

Core•30 credits

Designing for Augmented and Mixed Reality

Research and design effective augmented and mixed reality projects by exploring real Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality projects from a range of disciplines.

Core•30 credits

Project Based Module (Immersive Design)

Working independently or as part of a group, you will conduct your own research to design and develop a substantive immersive experience or game.

Core•60 credits
5 Modules

Our academics

Study under experts who’ve worked on BAFTA-winning games and titles for names like Disney and Lucasfilm.

You’ll be taught by enthusiastic, expert staff who are fans of their field as much as they are academics. Our lecturers have a diverse range of industry experience, including digital media and game design.

See more academics for this subject
Jason Hayhurst
Featured academic

Jason Hayhurst

Jason has significant experience within industry and academia in translating user requirements into effective design solutions. He is passionate about the appropriate use of technology and design to affect positive change in behaviour.

Stuart Lilford
Featured academic

Stuart Lilford

Stuart began his career in the games industry before moving into teaching. He worked on three BAFTA-winning games and at prestigious companies such as Rare and Codemasters. He develops games independently, including the award-winning Time Stone.

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area
Additional entry requirements for this course

Generally, we ask for a minimum of 2.2 Bachelor (Hons) or international equivalent in a related field of study (digital art, animation, game design, game development, web and application design, film production - consideration will be given to both STEM and design programmes).

Applicants should provide a portfolio of practical examples of work in a related field of study.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area
Additional entry requirements for this course

Generally, we ask for a minimum of 2.2 Bachelor (Hons) or international equivalent in a related field of study (digital art, animation, game design, game development, web and application design, film production - consideration will be given to both STEM and design programmes).

Applicants should provide a portfolio of practical examples of work in a related field of study.

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 20% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Virtual reality lounge

Our fully immersive virtual reality lounge with Virtuix Omni VR treadmill means you can walk inside the virtual worlds you create.

Media Hub

We’ve invested £250,000 in new equipment, including VR/AR and MR headsets, plus haptic vests and gloves. Access a range of game and VR spec PCs and iMacs to create your projects.

Game engine partnerships

We’ve partnered with Unity Academic Alliance, Unity MARS programme and Epic Unreal to give you access to the best platforms.

Supercomputing

You can access Viper – the highest-spec computer at any university in the North of England – for lightning-fast, high-quality 3D rendering.

See more in our virtual tour
A student in the virtual reality studio wearing a Quest headset
Digital media lab computer suite room view media production
Gamer
viper-supercomputer
A student in the virtual reality studio wearing a Quest headset
Digital media lab computer suite room view media production
Gamer
viper-supercomputer
Digital Media

Future prospects

Immersive technology is transforming the way we engage with the world. Industry research estimates the immersive economy will enhance more than 400,000 jobs by 2030, adding £62.5billion to the UK economy.

This programme will enable you to translate your learning into practical projects and a sophisticated portfolio of work based on real-life problems. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge across a wide range of roles and industries, including:

  • Designer or UX designer
  • Creative director
  • Technical artist
  • Post-production editor
  • Programmer or developer
University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

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Course

MSc Computer Science for Games Programming

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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