Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Illustration with Foundation Year

at Wrexham Glyndwr University - Wrexham Campus United Kingdom

Mechatronics is a modern fusion of electrical and electronic, mechanical and software engineering.

The interface between electrical and mechanical environments is the role of a Mechatronics engineer. It combines precision engineering, automatic control and real-time computing to produce innovative products, such as smartphones, the manufacture of semiconductors, electron microscopes and medical equipment. Robotic manufacturing processes, automatic vision based and vehicle navigation systems also use Mechatronics principles.

There is increasing industry demand for graduates who can work in this interdisciplinary engineering environment. International companies such as Siemens, Volkswagen, and Micron Semiconductors etc. all recruit graduates with a Mechatronics profile.

To develop Mechatronics graduate skills, the programme covers design and modelling of electromechanical systems such as positioning of robotic arms, pick and place technology using vision, recognition and feedback sensing.

The programme also includes real time control system modelling and embedded systems design, development and implementation. Programming includes both high and low level languages such as Python, C or C++, and VHDL for FPGA applications.

Key Course Features

There is increasing industry demand for graduates who can work in this interdisciplinary engineering environment. International companies such as Siemens, Volkswagen, and Micron Semiconductors etc all recruit graduates with a Mechatronics profile.

The BA (Hons) Childhood, Welfare and Education (level 6 top-up) is an exciting opportunity to take your understanding and practice of Childhood Studies and Education to the next level. The programme

• Is offered to you as a fully supported e-learning programme
• Encourages independent study
• Deepens academic knowledge and understanding
• Can be studied over one or two years depending on your own work and family commitments.

Key Course Features

• Study in the comfort of your own home, with the flexibility to fit study around your work and life commitments.
• Join an engaging course which values communication and support. We use chat forums, e-mail, Skype, telephone and Moodle messages to keep in contact with students and our tutors are hands-on and readily accessible.
• We offer Saturday study days for students to get together and work with tutors face to face (optional).
• We have an experienced, friendly and supportive team who fully understand the challenges of balancing study with family and work commitments.
• We welcome students from outside the UK, with course materials and assignments written to enable students to bring their own context and experiences to the course.

Take your hands-on computer networking skills to the next level with our industry-focused course. As the demand for specialists in the computer networking industry continues to grow, this course will support you to develop the specialist technical and consultative skills required to progress to higher technical and managerial positions within businesses, or work towards doctoral study.

Concentrating on practical networking rather than abstract concepts or theories in data communications, the programme is centred around real-world network problem-solving, the planning, design and development of network services and infrastructures,plus the  use and application of current and emerging hardware and protocols.

For your dissertation, you will be expected to investigate cutting-edge technologies, implement and test novel networking solutions, or develop or analyse original network applications.

Key Course Features

• Opportunity to study Computer Networking in-depth
• Lecture/tutorial and practical sessions are enhanced with additional, resource-rich online materials allowing you to continue independent learning through a variety of approaches
• Taught by staff leading research into the areas of the internet and computer networks
• Research activities are associated with the University’s research centre
• Learning progresses from design and building small networks to the techniques required for large public networks
• Options to complete external Cisco Certification qualifications

Digitally enabled technologies and services support most aspects of modern life. Ensuring information is safe and services are kept running is the responsibility of cyber security practitioners and computer security experts.

The subject area is first in Wales for learning opportunities and academic support (WGU analysis of unpublished 2019 NSS data).
This course:

• addresses the advances in cyber security through an in-depth understanding of IT security, hacking, forensics, and the future and emerging technologies associated with this rapidly changing field
• provides opportunities to undertake real-life projects, preparing you for work within the industry
• provides opportunities to build and configure computer and networked systems, as well as the necessary support systems, to enable them to work effectively in a range of employment environments
• explores the issues associated with managing these types of systems and in particular the necessary aspects of network security

Key Course Features

• Hands-on teaching of a range of cyber security skills, techniques and tools, such as: cryptography; authentication; access control; viruses and malware; penetration testing; risk management; and forensic investigation.
• The optional Industrial Placement Year gives students the opportunity to experience the workplace first-hand and gain valuable employment experience for the future.
• Extensive PC and networked computer facilities with Internet access.
• The course team have strong links to the North Wales Cyber Security Cluster, an industry-led forum for cyber security practitioners and employers, and students on the programme have opportunities to attend and be involved with their meetings and events.
• The University is home to ARCLab, which specializes in research in the field of Computing and Computer Science.
• Subject area is 1st in Wales for learning opportunities and academic support (WGU analysis of unpublished 2019 NSS data).

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BSc (Hons) Cyber Security (four years including foundation year)

This degree in Illustration will help you develop both your illustrative style and flair for creative image-making. The course covers the practical, professional and artistic sides of working as an illustrator with an individual artistic voice. The programme will equip you for a successful career in the creative industries.

Working with experienced and industry active staff, you will learn how to create compelling images, work to professional standards and understand how your work fits into the industry.

You will be introduced to professional creative processes and encouraged to expand your abilities through workshops and practical projects. You will learn how to interpret a brief, identify and solve problems, develop creative individuality and produce a professional portfolio.

As well as gaining personal, professional and entrepreneurial skills, our programmes introduce a broad range of creative skills, from the generation of ideas to their technical production through printmaking, bookbinding, 3D materials, life drawing, traditional and digital media, with an emphasis on drawing and the development of a unique personal style.

High-quality artwork and a unique illustrative voice are at the heart of the course. Opportunities to explore your style, the applications of your work, your use of media and technology are consistent throughout the programmes.

The business of working as a freelance artist is an important aspect of the course, covering practical advice from marketing and self-promotion to contracts, invoices and working with clients. Working on live briefs and competitions are available and encouraged.

Key Course Features

• The School of Creative Arts at Wrexham Glynd?r University was named as the best place in Wales to study Art in the 2017 Guardian University League Table.
• You will be part of a vibrant and creative community of commercial artists including children’s book artists, illustrators, animators, game artists and designers.
• You will be taught by a teaching team with a broad range of experience working professionally in the illustration and creative industries.
• We encourage our students to self-publish and learn how to produce high-quality production prototypes to pitch to the publishing industry through the use of our in-house Bindery.
• Our students have won illustration prizes and awards such as the Oxford University Press Illustration competition, the Macmillan Children’s Book competition, the Caldecott Society and D&AD awards and been nominated for prestigious Eisner and Silver Reuben Awards.

This course will give you the experience and knowledge of a broad range of graphic design skills enabling you to successfully produce a portfolio to gain employment in the design industry.
Students will:

• have opportunities to work on 'live briefs' in the local community
• build their confidence, presentation skills and abilities to work with real clients
• undertake placements with our extensive alumni network
• enjoy visits to design exhibitions and museums, and conferences

You can also choose to study this course as a four-year integrated masters option MDes Graphic Design  or as a foundation year BA (Hons) Graphic Design (four years including foundation year)

Key Course Features

• Small, friendly community of staff/students at our Regent Street campus.
• High contact time with the programme team.
• Develop ongoing relationships with our alumni network.
• Offer advice and resources beyond graduation.
• Contacts with top design companies throughout the UK, benefiting our students after graduation.
• Teaching staff who are practitioners and research-active in the Creative Industries.
• Visits to design exhibitions and museums, attendance at conferences.
• Opportunities to work on real life, client-based project work.
• Visiting principal cities in Europe attending conference, design exhibitions and galleries.
• Close relationship with our careers team to develop students employability prospects.

Learn and work in a real production environment – this Television Production and Technology course is developed in close collaboration with the BBC, Skillset and leading industry experts.

The course, which focuses on exploring current and emerging technologies applicable to still and moving image production, is different to many as students can engage in the day-to-day operation of the production facility, extending student participation beyond the lecture theatre.

Students will also develop a theoretical and practical understanding across a range of skills in pre-production, production and post-production.

The course centres around the use of the university’s television studio where students explore single and multi-camera filmmaking in addition to lighting and acquisition for visual effects work. It is designed to teach and develop skills across disciplines and covers a broad range of technologies that will help in the development of your own portfolio.

As well as the television studio, the course is built around the practical use of the university’s Centre for the Creative Industries and its wide range of facilities.  The centre is home to BBC Cymru in North East Wales.

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BSc (Hons) Television Production and Technology (four years including foundation year)

Key Course Features

• The Centre for the Creative Industries supports work across a range of creative disciplines using the latest in television production technology.
• Glyndwr’s Television Studio, which features 4K and High Definition cameras and equipment and multi camera control room.
• Post-production facilities both Mac and PC based with grading and finishing suite
• Students lead Glyndwr.tv live sessions, streamed live and featuring a mixture of high profile as well as local bands and performers.
• Calon FM Community radio station is based in the creative industries building and offers volunteer and collaboration work. The University is one of only three higher education institutions to have such a facility on campus.
• Our graduates have collaborated with a range of local companies including NHS Wales, Wales Rugby League, Clwyd Theatre Cymru and numerous local organisations and productions.
• Past graduates have gone on to work with media companies such as the BBC, Universal Music, QVC and Technicolor and other students have taken on freelance roles and formed their own production companies.
• Previous Creative Industries events at the University have included Ffresh Student Moving Image Festival of Wales and an annual Creative Futures networking event.
• The IT facilities form a core part of course delivery, introducing a range of Non Linear Editing software such as Final Cut, Premiere and AVID as well as colour correction, compositing and 3D packages. These IT facilities are also open access and are available to students in order to develop their skills.

This course offers a practical programme of study, enabling you to bring characters to life. This specialised Animation programme will transform you into a versatile creative in the art of the moving image. Designed and developed from the ground up with employability as the core aim, you will develop skills in 2D, 3D and stop motion animation.

You will finish your studies with the professional skills and creative thinking strategies to pursue a career within animation studios, work as a freelance artist, or start your own studio.

Students will

• learn the principles of visual communication and drawing and apply them to character design, background design, storyboarding and scene layout
• explore the principles of animation with a focus on 2D techniques
• work in teams on an informative motion graphic project for a real client
• practice character animation using 3D techniques to build up a show reel
• specialise and develop a final degree project

Your studies will see you gain experience in digital skills and techniques used to bring your imagination from ideas to screen through, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, and stop motion animation, depending on which you choose to specialise in.

You can also choose to study this course as a four-year integrated masters option MDes Animation or as a foundation year BA (Hons) Animation (four years including foundation year)

Key course features

• Official partnership with http://TechUpandGo.com. With direct links to live 3D Animation projects.
• Latest industry standard software used such as Autodesk Maya, Toon Boom Harmony, Dragon Frame and the Creative Cloud suite.
• Access to Wacom Cintiq tablets and a purpose built stop motion studio.
• Industry-focused visits to gain first hand insight into how creative media companies function and the variety of employment opportunities that are available in the development of your career aspirations. There are also other study trips to festivals and expos.
• Opportunities to enter competitions.
• There is strong pastoral care within a friendly creative community with an emphasis on team building and collaborative work. Contact hours with tutors is high with enthusiastic and supportive sta? who are knowledgeable, research-active practitioners.

If you are fascinated with behaviour and wonder why people do what they do, then our psychology course – which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – will be ideal for your questioning mind.

As a psychology student at Wrexham Glyndwr University you will have access to a diverse range of facilities including our psychometric lab, flight simulator, high-tech sports performance lab, experimental cubicles and simulation lab.

On this hands-on, practical degree, you’ll discover the fascinating science behind how people think, act, react and interact.

Throughout the course you will gain a greater understanding of social interaction, individual development and the way in which the brain interprets information that we deal with on a daily basis.

The scientific nature of psychology is emphasised throughout the course with specific modules relating to social psychology, developmental psychology, individual differences, cognitive psychology, and psychobiology. You will develop your statistical and research skills through regular laboratory based practicals and in the final part of the course you will complete a substantial final project on a topic of your choice.

Students can take part in our annual real-time training exercise.

You can also choose to study this course as a three year degree (without a foundation year) BSc Psychology

Key Course Features

• Includes foundation year to prepare you for further years of study.
• Small and friendly department with a research-active academic team.
• Fully supportive of student research interests.
• Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – students will also have the opportunity to attend and present at the BPS conference at level 6.
• Facilities used on the course include a psychometric lab, teaching laboratories with modern computing facilities, a high tech sports performance lab, experimental cubicles and a simulation lab.
• Practical sessions in each module to give hands-on experience of the applicability of theory and/or develop students research skills. We believe that as psychology is about real life, formal lectures should be enhanced by experiential learning. All set lectures in the morning are supplemented by a practical exercise in the afternoon. These practicals relate directly to the theory studied in the morning session and use the excellent and varied resources available at the university.  

With its special focus on comics, this degree will provide you with the technical and creative skills to develop both your illustrative style and flair for storytelling. The programme introduces a broad range of creative skills, from the generation of ideas to their technical production through printmaking, bookbinding, 3D materials, life drawing, traditional and digital media, with an emphasis on drawing and the development of a unique personal style.

Students will

• Work with experienced and industry active staff, learn how to write stories, draw comics and produce a professional portfolio
• Have opportunities to explore visual sequencing, narrative imagery, anthropomorphism and character development
• Gain personal, professional and entrepreneurial skills, learning about the business of working as a freelance artist
• Be encouraged to working on live briefs and competition

Key Course Features

• You will be part of a vibrant and creative community of commercial artists including children’s book artists, illustrators, animators, game artists and designers.
• You will be taught by a teaching team with a broad range of experience working professionally in the comics and illustration industries.
• We encourage our students to self-publish and learn how to produce high-quality production prototypes to pitch to the publishing industry through the use of our in-house Bindery.
• Our students have won illustration prizes and awards such as the Oxford University Press Illustration competition, the Macmillan Children’s Book competition, the Caldecott Society and D&AD awards and been nominated for prestigious Eisner and Silver Reuben Awards.