City College Plymouth

FdSc Virtual Reality and 3D Modelling

UCAS course code I001
Institution code C83
Duration

2 years

Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available

Study location City College Plymouth

We are a College with a national reputation for promoting enterprise, employability and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Study in a friendly, supportive higher education community with dedicated and enthusiastic lecturers delivering courses designed with employers, ensuring that you graduate with industry-relevant skills and knowledge.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    CITY1124
    VR Principles

    This module provides an understanding of the historical, cultural and critical components of the digital media industry in terms of hardware and software platforms, user engagement and social significance. Students will research and identify audience receptions to significant VR developments that have standardised immersive environment conventions, the ethical and inclusive responsibilities as well as the relevant legislative frameworks involved. Students will apply these standards and frameworks to their own production and assess the effectiveness in line with industry frameworks.

    CITY1125
    User Experience

    This unit will develop a student’s understanding of user interfacing and how it can be successfully implemented in their own productions. With a focus on the ethical and inclusive responsibilities, relevant legislative frameworks, graphical interfaces, students will also look at usability and feedback and learn how to assess and evaluate their own designs and implementations.

    CITY1126
    2D and 3D Art

    This module aims to provide the fundamental aspects of 3D design and develop the student's ability to understand the importance of artistic representation in virtual environments. Students will learn how to convey their 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.

    CITY1127
    Sound and Animation

    This module aims to develop the student's ability to understand the process and tools used to create animations with sound. Working in groups students will learn how to convey their productions through recording, mixing, editing sounds and creating animations with simulation and animation software to create fully composited video productions.

    CITY1128
    VR Development

    This module aims to develop the students understanding of the general principles, legislation and concepts of programming for VR and will allow learners to apply 3D programming methods used in VR applications. They will build on their current understanding of VR conventions to design, produce, test and evaluate their own VR projects, with an emphasis on innovative locomotion and interaction, and with consideration towards inclusive design and ethical responsibilities of developing VR applications.

    CITY1129
    3D Scanning and Printing

    This unit introduces 3D scanning and printing as a method of creating content from scanning real world objects and spaces, this will give the students an opportunity to examine and contrast the number of popular scanning and printing practices. Students will focus on 3D laser scanning, structured light scanning and photogrammetry. This unit will identify the requirements for creating 3D objects, spaces, architecture and features.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    CITY2136
    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. Students will learn techniques for creating immersive 360 sounds for their production. Students will learn the principles of motion capture, animation and rigging of 3D objects for inclusion in recorded and real time environments.

    CITY2137
    Architectural Visualisation

    This module aims to develop an understanding of the requirements of architectural visualisation, the processes and standards of applied data formats. It will provide an overview of the various data types industries use, with a focus on the architectural industry and the conventions involved. This unit will demonstrate the breadth of their technical acumen and provide opportunities to adapt their skills towards varying disciplines.

    CITY2138
    360 Video

    This unit will develop an understanding of the immersive video industry, and the frameworks, standards and conventions involved. It will demonstrate the relationship between 360 photographs/videos and virtual reality to enable students to identify patterns and correlations within the industry. Students will learn how to create content for multiple platforms and develop the techniques, skills and knowledge needed for the video production industry

    CITY2139
    VR Applications

    This unit builds on VR Principles and VR Development units, and students understanding of interface design. They will learn how to develop VR applications to a professional standard of presentation, taking inspiration from existing material and software. This will inform the production of satisfying user experiences that complies with legislative requirements. Students will also explore the implementation of diverse peripheral devices and data types, in preparation for their final units.

    CITY2140
    Digital Media Production

    This unit will develop learners’ autonomy through their undertaking of the production and development of an application. Students will draw on knowledge gained from pervious modules, guiding students 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.

    CITY2141
    Live Events

    This unit will enable learners to understand the nature of the digital arts industry, in order to identify areas for curating and exhibiting their work. This unit provides students with an opportunity to organise the planning, installation and delivery of an immersive event. Topics covered will include virtual networking, social media and self-promotion.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding

As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Our partnership with City College Plymouth

The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with City College Plymouth

Just one-and-a-half miles from the University of Plymouth, we’re one of the largest colleges in the South West, with two main sites linked by shuttle buses, with a dynamic Students’ Union and Student Liaison Team.
Plymouth students working on a group project