Virtual Reality, MSc

Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

Students must attain a 2:2 (or overseas equivalent) in an undergraduate degree. Any degree subject will be considered.

We welcome applications by prospective students from around the world and look for evidence of previous study that is equivalent to the entry requirements stated above. The Postgraduate Admissions Office are happy to advise you on whether your qualifications are suitable for entry to the course you would like to study. Please email postgraduate.admissions@swansea.ac.uk for further information.

If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification to make sure you get the full benefit from studying at Swansea. We consider a wide range of qualifications, including the Swansea University English Test, the British Council IELTS test (with a score of at least 6.5 and 5.5 in each component). A full list of acceptable English Language tests can be found at:
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements

Basic knowledge of creating VR applications will be achieved during practical sessions. Students will work individually and as part of small and changing multidisciplinary teams, pooling their different skills to generate VR simulations.

For each student the final outcome of the programme will be an individual project, inspired by and negotiated with external partners, resulting in a usable VR application. Such a project will equip students with the skills to successfully produce a VR application within the constraints of time, resources, and managed expectations.

The programme philosophy focusses on active learning in multi-disciplinary teams. The programme intends to take graduates from any discipline/background and give them the fundamental principles needed to produce work in a 2D/3D environment. Various mechanisms will be used to engage students including traditional classroom teaching, online learning, interactive workshops, seminars and hands-on practical sessions.

30 credits of modules will be delivered on Singleton Campus which will require travel between Campuses.

Some provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh but there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year. The Programme Director can outline to you what is available in Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Dr Peter Dorrington – Programme Director (Please email p.j.dorrington@swansea.ac.uk if you have questions about the course)

Peter is an Associate Professor in the faculty and his interests span the area of engineering design (mechanical and biomedical), emerging technologies (Virtual Reality + 3D Printing) and collaborative and design-led practices. He has delivered numerous projects that have successfully transferred academic knowledge and skills into the industrial and commercial sector. Peter's approach to teaching is he designs his courses to mimic the skills students will need when they enter the workplace, which he verifies with industry stakeholders.

Ted Thomas – Teaching Tutor 

Ted is a VR developer and lecturer at Swansea who has been a part of the industry for over a decade. He holds a degree in Computer Games Development and a Master's degree in Animation. He ran a successful business in the video game industry and began experimenting with VR technology in 2013, during the early days of the Oculus Rift.

In 2018, Ted joined Swansea as a Unity Developer. He has since developed a range of AR and VR apps for the university and collaborated with external XR companies. In 2020, Ted switched his focus to teaching where he helped create the MSc in Virtual Reality. 

Sebastian Vowles – Teaching Tutor

As one of the first to complete the Virtual Reality MSc with Swansea, Sebastian is well-placed to provide in-depth assistance and experience on both sides of the course.  

Following the completion of his MSc, he spent a number of years working as a freelance VR developer, working with local businesses to produce VR and AR applications, and producing educational and training applications that have been successfully deployed by the university. For example, anatomy learning applications for the Sports Science department, and work for the Welsh Government as part of an AI development research grant. 

Gareth Evans – Senior Technician for Technology Enhanced Learning

Gareth supports all the XR technologies within the faculty. This includes equipment sourcing and procurement, updating and maintaining equipment (software and hardware), organising and facilitating teaching labs, equipment problem-solving, keeping up-to-date with XR and TEL requirements. In addition, Gareth has seen the development of the VR lab and course from the beginning, and provides advice and guidance to the team from the wealth of experience he has gained during this time.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

We are now able to offer academic performance based bursaries to cover the MSc with Industry second year course fee. For more information on this please contact Dr Vasilios Samaras. Support and guidance is provided to help secure your placement however it is not guaranteed.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

The Placement year course fees are £3800 for International students and £1950 for Home students. 

We are now able to offer academic performance based bursaries to cover the second year course fee. For more information on this please contact Dr Vasilios Samaras. Support and guidance is provided to help secure your placement however it is not guaranteed.

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

MSc with Industry candidates will need to supply a personal statement addressing the following 2 questions:

Question 1: What can I bring to the industrial placement?

Question 2: What do I hope to gain from the industrial experience?

Your application must include the following information: 

1. Academic Transcript (including grading structure)
2. Evidence of any academic prizes/awards you have obtained for academic excellence
3. Personal statement answering the two questions listed above
4. CV
5. Evidence of any sporting achievements, volunteering experience, professional qualifications
6. Please also note that letters of support will form part of selection process and it is your responsibility to ensure your nominated referees submit references by the closing date

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.