UCAS code
W952 (BA), W953 (BSc)Mode of Study
Full-timeDuration
3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich with work placementStart date
September 2023, September 2024Overview
Create impressive artistic works using the latest technology on our Creative Computing degree course.
Learn the latest computer programming concepts and techniques – including electronics and interface design – to create applications and artefacts across a range of creative platforms such as games, graphic design, audio and animation. As your skills grow, you'll study artificial intelligence (AI) and contribute to revolutionary research in using AI to develop production solutions for the creative industries.
You'll gain professional experience before completing your degree by taking part in staff projects, working with clients on live briefs, and completing an optional placement in industry.
You can graduate with a BA or BSc, depending on which modules you select in years 2 and 3 and your choice of final-year project, with the option to transfer between both awards until the second half of your final year.
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 offers
- A levels – BBB-BBC
- UCAS points – 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM-DMM
You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Typical offers
- A levels – BBB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112–120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
How to prepare for this Creative Computing degree course
Ideal preparation for this course would be to develop skills in art, design and/or IT at school or college. Competency in art, music, coding, animation, web or design will also help. Creativity and passion for the subject are essential.
Good teamwork and organisational skills will help you complete and manage many of the modules on this course. Perseverance and the desire to try new things creatively are also key to getting the most out of study in this field.
Facilities
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
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing, or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Placement year (optional)
Between your second and 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 exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Should I go on a placement year?
It is not only about making tea and coffee in an office: a placement can transform your career, personal, and study development. Our students who've been on placements say they were the best experiences of their lives.
Find out more about the benefits of doing a placement on our Creative Careers blog.
What you'll study
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.
Modules
There are no optional modules in the first year of this BA/BSc (Hons) Creative Computing degree course.
Core modules
- 3D Modelling – 20 credits
- Creative Computing Exhibition Project – 20 credits
- Coding and Scripting for Games – 20 credits
- Generative Arts – 20 credits
- Introduction to Interactive Development – 20 credits
- Sound for Moving Image – 20 credits
Core modules
- Creative Coding Practice – 20 credits
- Creative and Critical Research Design – 20 credits
- Maker Lab – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Audio Programming – 20 credits
- Augmented Reality Development – 20 credits
- Creative Technologies Study Exchange – 60 credits
- Creativity and Resilience – 20 credits
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
- Form and Function – 20 credits
- Gameplay Programming – 20 credits
- Interaction Design – 20 credits
- Maths for Games – 20 credits
- Mobile Application Development – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
- Rich Media Website Delivery – 20 credits
- Sound Design and Music For Games – 20 credits
- Student Enterprise – 20 credits
- Virtual Reality Development – 20 credits
Between your second and third years, you can choose to study abroad or do a paid or self-employed work placement. You'll get a taste of another culture or apply your knowledge and skills to professional practice—both of which will enrich your overall studying experience and CV.
You'll have to take one of these optional modules to complete your sandwich year.
- CCI Work Placement – Full Year (40 credits)
- CCI Self-Employed Placement – Full Year (40 credits)
- CCI Placement Plus – Full Year (40 credits)
- Creative Technologies Study Abroad – Full Year (120 credits)
- Creative Technologies Study Abroad – Half Year (60 credits)
Core modules
- Final Year Project – 40 credits
Optional modules
- Artificial Intelligence – 20 credits
- Collaborative Sound Art Project – 20 credits
- Hackrobatics – 20 credits
- Implementing Game Audio – 20 credits
- Interface Technologies – 20 credits
- Internet of Things – 20 credits
- Programming AI for Games – 20 credits
- Sound and Music Programming – 20 credits
- Targeting Platforms – 20 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry.
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.
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'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.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting your learning
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
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (2023 start)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International (non-EU) students – £17,900 per year (subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees (2024 start)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International (non-EU) students – £18,800 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.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each modules.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
How to apply
Still looking to start a course this Autumn? Click here to discover your options
Read to apply? Apply online here or call +44 (0)23 9284 8074
Applying for Year 2 or 3
If you've already completed part of this course with us or another university and would like to apply for the second or third year, use our online application form
When you apply for this course, you can apply for either the BA or BSc version.
Applying through UCAS
To apply through UCAS, you'll need:
- the UCAS course code – W950 (BA) or W951 (BSc)
- our institution code – P80
Applying directly
If you'd prefer to apply to us directly, use our online application form:
Open Days and application guidance
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities, and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
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.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.