BA/BSc (Hons) Creative Computing

Program Overview

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Creative Computing BA (Hons) / BSc (Hons)

Computing is an increasingly important part of creative practice. This degree focuses on using the latest programs and devices to create art, music, animation, apps, websites, and games.

Key Information

UCAS Code

W952 (BA), W953 (BSc)

Typical Offer

112-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent

Study Mode and Duration

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years sandwich with work placement

Start Date

• September 2025

Course Information

Overview

Creative Computing is the use of technology as an innovative and creative medium. By learning through making you will engage with contemporary creative practice in a range of areas such as design systems, hardware prototyping, and software development (i.e. generative arts and audio programming).

You will use research and industry-standard tools, engaging with game engines, microcontrollers, and emerging technologies to allow you to explore potential employment routes and develop a portfolio of work.

You can graduate with a BSc or a BA depending on the modules you select, and you can change your path at any time up to your final year. The BSc is a good choice for aspiring developers, and the BA supports creative coders in developing innovative artistic practices. The course will help you identify and solve real-world problems using your creative and technical skills across multiple disciplines (e.g., music, visual art, film) while leveraging computational systems.

Course Highlights

• Build your developmental and creative skills by producing digital portfolios and physical artefacts for exhibitions
• Further your game development expertise and collaborate with people from different disciplines as part of our annual University GameJam
• Learn from a team of subject specialists with research, industry and teaching experience across a spectrum of creative and digital disciplines
• Develop your research profile by collaborating with staff on research projects
• Enhance your professional portfolio by working with real clients on live briefs
• Gain valuable industry experience by taking an optional one-year placement
• Get insight into the current industry climate by attending guest lectures by industry professionals – past guests include organisers of Portsmouth Comic Con and Dice Portsmouth

Entry Requirements

BA/BSc (Hons) Creative Computing

Typical Offer (September 2025 start) BA (Hons)

• A levels - BBB-BBC
• UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
• T-levels - Merit
• BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
• International Baccalaureate - 25

English Language Requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5

Typical Offer (September 2025 start) BSc (Hons)

• A levels - BBB-BBC
• UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
• T-levels - Merit
• BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
• International Baccalaureate - 25

English Language Requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5

Facilities

Music and Sound Recording Studios

Our high-end professional music studio complex houses three studios, two live rooms, editing rooms, and a vocal booth.

Motion Capture Studio

Learn how to use the same professional motion capture equipment used in the VR, game design, and film industries.

Photogrammetry and Scanning Studio

Scan people, objects, or locations with our 144-camera-decked photogrammetry and scanning studio.

Volumetric Video Studio

With our Holosys™-powered Volumetric Video Studio, you can capture stunning 3D footage of moving objects for your next XR project.

Wacom Studio

Design eye-catching illustrations, animations, and layouts in our 20-seat PC studio with industry-leading Wacom Cintiq widescreen graphics tablets.

CCI Open Access Suite

Our open-plan space includes PCs and Macs equipped with Adobe Creative Suite and other professional software.

Careers and Opportunities

As coding skills become established as creative media in their own right, traditional lines between creative artists and programmers are dissolving. Innovative technologies are increasingly being used across industries, and employers are looking for employees who combine up-to-date, advanced IT and software knowledge with entrepreneurial, technical, and creative skills.

You'll graduate from this course with that perfect combination of creative talent, technical expertise, technological awareness and project management that employers look for.

Graduate Areas

Areas you could work in include:

• Film/TV special effects and post-production
• Visual interface design
• Computer graphics design
• Video game development
• Music production
• Multimedia systems analysis
• Mobile app development
• Web development
• Computer music/sound engineering
• Interface design
• Database management

Graduate Roles

This degree will set you up for many professional roles, including:

• Visual interface designer
• Computer graphics designer
• Video game developer
• Multimedia systems analyst
• Mobile app developer
• Web developer
• Sound designer/audio programmer
• Interface designer
• Database manager

Placement Year (Optional)

After your second or third year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate.

You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.

Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – our Careers and Employability team can support you every step of the way.

Modules

Each module on this course is worth 20, 40 or 60 credits.

In each year (apart from the optional placement year), you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.

Whether you graduate with a BA or BSc depends which modules you choose in year 2 onwards. We'll help you choose the modules that reflect your interests and ambitions.

Year 1

• 3D Modelling - 20 credits
• Coding and Scripting for Games - 20 credits
• Designing Tomorrow - 20 credits
• Generative Arts - 20 credits
• Sound for Moving Image - 20 credits
• Systems for Creative Computing - 20 credits

Year 2

• Creative Applications of Machine Learning - 20 credits
• Creative Research and Project Initiation - 20 credits
• Maker Lab - 20 credits
• Audio Programming - 20 credits
• Creative CGI and Visualisation Design - 20 credits
• Gameplay Programming - 20 credits
• Rich Media Website Delivery - 20 credits
• Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice - 20 credits
• Maths for Games - 20 credits
• Mobile Application Development - 20 credits
• Professional Experience - 20 credits
• Sound Design and Music for Games - 20 credits
• Student Enterprise - 20 credits

Year 3

• Final Year Project - 40 credits
• Hackrobotics - 20 credits
• Artificial Intelligence - 20 credits
• Implementing Game Audio - 20 credits
• Programming Systems for Games - 20 credits
• Sound and Music Programming - 20 credits
• Collaborative Sound Project - 20 credits
• Internet of Things - 20 credits
• Targeting Platforms - 20 credits

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course includes:

• Lectures
• Group and individual practical experimentation
• One-to-one tuition with project supervisors

You'll be taught by staff who have professional experience in the industry, who demonstrate concepts using practical examples.

Many teaching staff are engaged in research, which means you learn about the latest theories and concepts.

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a web connection.

How You're Assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

• Practical output, including interactive digital installations, creative software projects, and web and mobile apps
• Video and in-person presentations
• Written report
• Online exams
• Exhibition

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

How You'll Spend Your Time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A Typical Week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Creative Computing degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes and workshops for about 8–10 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.

Supporting You

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of Support

• Personal tutor
• Student support advisor
• Academic skills tutors
• Creative skills tutors
• IT and computing support
• Academic Skills Tutors (AST)
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Disability advice and additional support
• Library support

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
• International (non-EU) students – £17,900 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding Your Studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional Course Costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

• Accommodation and living costs
• General costs
• Recommended reading
• Final year project

Apply

Ready to Apply?

When you apply for this course, you can apply for either the BA or BSc version.

• Applying through UCAS
• Applying directly

How to Apply from Outside the UK

See the 'How to apply' section above for details of how to apply. You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.