Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Visual Effects

at De Montfort University United Kingdom

This course explores the application and development of techniques used by enterprises for the analysis of business information. Throughout the course we will expand your knowledge of contemporary software tools and help you to gain invaluable insights into real-world solutions through our research groups, guest lectures and seminars.

On our Business Intelligence Systems and Data Mining MSc, your learning will be supported by experienced SAS-accredited staff, who will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of SAS business intelligence software.

You will learn about the Business Intelligence system concept, its application in organisations, and its relationships with other computer-based information systems – such as decision and management support, data warehouses and artificial intelligence.

We will teach you to review data mining methods and techniques available for effectively uncovering important information from large data sets. In doing so, you will develop an in-depth knowledge of data mining methods and gain practical experience of using the data mining software, SAS Enterprise Miner.

Our Intelligent Systems MSc provides you with knowledge of the various models of computational intelligence, an insight into their theoretical basis, and the skills to apply the associated techniques to a wide variety of industry problems.

Course modules include Computational Intelligence Research Methods, Fuzzy Logic, Natural Language Processing and Mobile Robots, and you will have opportunities to use the knowledge you acquire in a range of application areas to suit your interests, from robot control to games development.

The future of the design industry lies in advancing technology and emerging digital techniques. Whether your creative specialism lies in media, products, interiors, exhibitions, fashion or branding and marketing, on this course you will explore and embrace digital and design related technologies in your field.

You can specialise in technologies such as user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, mobile app design, e-learning, virtual and augmented reality, 2D and 3D animation, 3D digital printing, digital display and projection design, visual and special effects for TV and film, interactive kiosk and installation design, wearable devices and smart clothing. The course is designed for students with a good working knowledge of multimedia software tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator Flash, Dreamweaver and After Effects, and 3D software such as Autodesk MAYA or 3DMax, providing an opportunity to develop these technical skills to an advanced level.

You will examine the practical skills and the academic theories surrounding digital design methods. We will take you all the way from concept development and prototyping to production techniques and testing. In-depth insight into each stage of the creative production process will be supported by training in project management. This broad base of specialised skills will equip you for wide-ranging creative careers as digital designers, web and app developers, and multimedia production directors, while the understanding you will build of business planning and web presence management will teach you the key skills needed to launch a freelance career.

With us, you will gain real-world experience through live design projects, with the opportunity to collaborate with students from other disciplines. Through your major project (either creative practice based or research focused) you will have the freedom to draw on your learning and respond creatively to your chosen specialism.

Throughout the course we will empower and support you to challenge conventions, experiment boldly, and take risks. Prepare to embrace new ways of thinking and innovative approaches to contemporary design challenges, with a sophisticated suite of devices and industry software and hardware  for you to realise your creative visions.

The need for sustainable approaches to building design is recognised across the globe. As the effects of climate change are increasingly felt, the drive towards more energy efficient buildings is intensifying. Sustainable buildings need not be technologically complex, but a high level of sophistication in design procedures and performance analysis is required.

Accredited by both the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and the Energy Institute, this programme will allow you to develop an understanding of building physics and acquire skills in building simulation, with an emphasis on sustainability. This course is the opportunity for you to graduate with a recognised qualification, satisfying the educational aspects of becoming a chartered engineer.

This course is designed for those who wish to understand the ways new and renewable energy can be harnessed in buildings, gain the ability to undertake the simulation and modelling tasks essential for credible building performance analysis, and work creatively within a multi-disciplinary design team, including building services engineers.

You will develop a broad insight into energy and sustainability issues, building physics and performance, energy analysis techniques and in-depth knowledge of computer modelling techniques for the design of modern sustainable buildings.

Risk management is relevant to all aspects of industry, commerce, consultancy and the public sector. Over the past couple of years there has been a strong realisation that risk needs to be managed and not avoided, which in turn has a major impact on organisational strategy. To this end, this course has been designed for those wanting to have a career in Risk Management as well as professionals from a variety of sectors who are interested in strengthening their careers in risk management. This includes but is not limited to: accountants, project managers, insurers, chartered surveyors, health care professionals, lawyers, bankers, auditors, health and safety professionals and engineers and recognises the interdisciplinary nature of the subject.

Fine Art is the creation and the study of visual art. It educates and inspires students to pursue a career as an artist or to follow a wide range of other creative practices and career pathways associated with art and creativity.

Our course gives you the flexibility to experiment across a range of specialist disciplines which include drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, video, photography, digital media and installation art.

When you join us, you will study options in painting, sculpture, printmaking, video and photography, while also studying drawing and contextual and professional studies.

As you progress into year two you’ll develop your individual studio practice in one or more of these areas. You’ll then have the opportunity to explore a range of approaches to fine art via projects, workshops and self-directed study.

Exploring primarily modern and contemporary history, our course is diverse, international in focus and innovative. Reflecting the globalised world we live in, the curriculum covers a wide range of European and non-European histories and explores topics such as colonialism, decolonisation, immigration, ethnic minorities and gender.

This course will hone your ability to absorb, communicate and critically analyse complex information. As you progress through the course, we’ll challenge you with more in-depth explorations and you can deepen your own historical interests. You’ll be supported by a passionate teaching team who are leading experts in their fields and provide a dynamic learning environment with a variety teaching and assessment methods.

You will learn about British, South Asian, European, African and North and South American history and also discover unique specialist topics such as history of photography and history of sport and leisure. You can also select a route through this degree in English Literature or Education.

Combining creativity and knowledge of specialist technology, coupled with strong industry links, you will graduate with the skills required for roles as an environment artist, character artist, lead artist, technical artist or director.

This specialist art degree, accredited by ScreenSkills, will help you to master high-level 3D modelling skills, as well as develop your existing 2D traditional art skills, through modules including Game Production, Digital Art Practice and Traditional Art Practice. Showcase your talent and creativity by producing an industry-ready portfolio, with support from your academic and technical supervisors.

Our excellent facilities include a dedicated games studio with a range of industry-standard software and high-spec PCs and consoles for producing 3D game content, a drawing studio and a suite of Cintiq graphics tablets. We also have VR development facilities to support students who wish to work in visualisation and virtual reality.

Our vibrant studio culture means you will always be at the forefront of the latest industry trends and techniques. You will also have the opportunity to take part in national and international creative events and challenges such as The Rookies and Search for a Star.

Recent graduates are working for companies such as Ubisoft, BMW, NaturalMotion, Playground Games, Codemasters, Dambusters Studios, Lockwood, Rockstar North and Jagex.

Whether it’s TV, video, radio, or social media content, technology has led the media industry to develop a focus on digital and technical mediums and formats.

Media Production is an industry-focused course, which provides you with the technical foundations and practical skills required for a career in a rapidly changing media landscape, enabling you to pursue roles in industries such as advertising, TV and radio production, journalism and PR.

Teaching modules include image capture and processing, audio recording and production, television documentary production, radio location production, creative media entrepreneurship and social media innovation.

The course provides extensive hands-on practice, together with an understanding of the technical principles that guide its graduates over the course of their careers in a rapidly changing technical environment.

On this course, you will develop an advanced understanding of your design practice, and discover how emerging digital technologies can enhance your skill set, in order to take an individual and innovative approach to tackling complex industry challenges.

The MSc programme is tailored for students with BSc degrees or engineering design degrees, so that they can build on their prior technical knowledge. There are no engineering modules on the MSc, instead the broad curriculum has been designed for you to respond to the assessments by applying industrial product design and engineering design principles within concepts, final specification and design. As an MSc graduate, you will have the technical engineering design expertise that will make you ideally placed for industry roles in manufacturing, product and industrial design - or to continue onto further research and development within the industry or by studying a PhD. If you are interested in a Master’s in Product Design, but do not have a BSc degree, you may want to check out our Product Design MA.

The flexibility of the curriculum allows you to create a distinct programme of learning that is focused on your individual interests and ambitions. The taught modules culminate in a comprehensive project within your own specialism, and cover key real-world processes in product design such as external validation, prototyping, testing, technical definition and specification.

With support from our experienced tutors and technical staff, you will develop the commercial skills needed to forge a career as a creative entrepreneur or design industry professional. You will be empowered to experiment boldly and encouraged to take risks, with access to sophisticated industry-standard facilities that will allow you to push the boundaries of design.