Be part of the Future. Take your digital creativity to a whole new level and equip yourself with the skills needed for a career in the creative tech and digital arts industries.
Our BSc (Hons) Creative Computing has been developed in response to increasing employer demand for graduates who ‘create’ using programming as their medium. You will develop projects to industry briefs and gain an understanding of the potential for – and theory of – computer-based technology in a wide range of digital creative and design sectors.
Through practical project work, you’ll develop core computational thinking and become adept with a range of industry-standard creative platforms. For example, applying coding and creative skills to creative web and app work while thinking about interaction, image and text.
You will explore data from both open and closed networks: finding patterns in data, learning to use data ethically, and exploring why data can exclude rather than explain. You will develop algorithmic thinking and more advanced forms of algorithmic programming. As with all Norwich University of the Arts courses, you’re learning experience will be hands-on.
Why study with us
Benefit from well-resourced digital creative teaching facilities including a dedicated Creative Tech Lab and brand-new Immersive Visualisation and Simulation Lab.
Develop programming and design skills for creative web and app work, focussing on aesthetics, interaction, animation, and usability.
Explore algorithmic art to further develop your programming skills and produce aesthetically complex outcomes inspired by natural forms.
Be introduced to AI and machine learning, to add another dimension to your project work and build commercially sought after skills.
Develop advanced computer programming and software development skills that are truly transferrable.
Develop team working skills and create amazing outcomes by collaborating with students from other disciplines.
Engage with a range of contemporary topics such as AI ethics, digital sustainability, digital culture, and tech for good.
Coursedetails
Year 1
Core Units
Creative Learning (40 credits)
The first year of the course has a shared curriculum with BSc (Hons) Creative Technology and Robotics. This first unit focuses on developing a solid base of technical and creative skills that will serve as a springboard for your learning across the rest of the course. You will explore computing foundations and the fundamentals of coding in the context of the creative web. Starting with the computational thinking that underpins algorithmic structures, your coding skills will develop through a series of practical projects that simulate industry briefs. You will learn about programming styles, data structures and algorithms, as well as industry best practices. Learning by responding to a series of creative challenges, your technical knowledge will develop alongside your creative approach.
40 credits
Explore and Experiment (80 credits)
In this unit, you will explore and experiment with a range of creative computing and technology applications to further develop your programming skills, as well as introducing you to a greater range of creative possibilities. You will learn about programming principles and mathematics applicable to 2D solutions, exploring how to resolve problems common to 2D environments. From 2D, you will progress to working with 3D, on the way expanding your knowledge of relevant principles and processes. You will explore programming for XR platforms such as AR and VR, be introduced to the fundamentals of machine learning as well as exploring creative technology subjects such as physical computing. You will also engage with a range of contemporary topics such as AI ethics, sustainability for the tech sector and toxic digital culture.
80 credits
Core Projects
Wayfinding Week
The first week of each academic year is called Wayfinding week. It’s an opportunity get your bearings, establish new connections and, after your first year at Norwich, re-establish old ones. Your course team will talk you through the year ahead and explain the expectations for the year. We’ll help you navigate new encounters and identify areas to focus on as you progress through your course.
Make it Manifest(o)
An important element of Wayfinding Week is taking part in our annual ‘Make it Manifest(o)’ project. Your course team will introduce the project in which we’ll ask you to consider your hopes and vision of the year ahead at Norwich and work with students in other year groups to bring your ideas to life. The project culminates in a celebratory display of work across the campus. The project will help you to develop your critical creativity through different approaches, concepts, and mediums. You’ll encounter diverse perspectives and build friendships and networks within our university community.
Interchange Week
Interchange weeks are opportunities to step away from your disciplinary studies and engage in projects, workshops, visits and talks that extend your knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether you learn a new skill or take part in a global challenge project with students from other courses, you will come away with new insights to take back to your course. Interchange is part of the schedule for all Norwich students with sessions held across and beyond the campus led by university staff, visiting lecturers and students.
Year 2
Core units
Global Contexts (80 credits)
As you progress to Year 2, you will further consolidate and develop your creative programming skills within the context of both industry-standard platforms and more experimental approaches. You will learn commercially valuable skills in app development, developing expertise with industry-standard platforms and processes as well as further enhancing your command of machine learning, for example, by training and implementing your own models. You will develop advanced programming skills through the engineering of complex algorithms, for example by simulating natural phenomena such as organic structures and fluids. You will also explore non-standard methods of interaction such as hand-tracking, providing further opportunity to develop your technical and creative skills together.
80 credits
Collaboration (40 credits)
This unit focusses on how collaborative work can help you channel and enhance your creative thinking, exposing you to new processes and approaches. Students work in multidisciplinary groups, typically responding to an industry brief, and produce significant outcomes suited to inclusion in an employer-facing portfolio. You’ll be introduced to a range of theoretical and practical approaches to managing collaboration, both in lectures and workshops, developing a practical command of suitable tools and platforms as well as applying this knowledge to evaluate your group’s performance. Your understanding of related industries will develop and you will work on a professional career development plan to help you on your journey towards future employment and business ventures.
40 credits
Core Projects
Wayfinding Week
The first week of each academic year is called Wayfinding week. It’s an opportunity get your bearings, establish new connections and, after your first year at Norwich, re-establish old ones. Your course team will talk you through the year ahead and explain the expectations for the year. We’ll help you navigate new encounters and identify areas to focus on as you progress through your course.
Make it Manifest(o)
An important element of Wayfinding Week is taking part in our annual ‘Make it Manifest(o)’ project. Your course team will introduce the project in which we’ll ask you to consider your hopes and vision of the year ahead at Norwich and work with students in other year groups to bring your ideas to life. The project culminates in a celebratory display of work across the campus. The project will help you to develop your critical creativity through different approaches, concepts, and mediums. You’ll encounter diverse perspectives and build friendships and networks within our university community.
Interchange Week
Interchange weeks are opportunities to step away from your disciplinary studies and engage in projects, workshops, visits and talks that extend your knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether you learn a new skill or take part in a global challenge project with students from other courses, you will come away with new insights to take back to your course. Interchange is part of the schedule for all Norwich students with sessions held across and beyond the campus led by university staff, visiting lecturers and students.
Diploma Year (optional)
Level 5 Diploma (120 credits)
Students have the opportunity to spend a year after the second of their degree (or the third year if studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year) enhancing their employability options through a Level 5 Diploma in Creative Professional Development. This course is designed to provide opportunities to gain industry insight, developing employability skills through a series of supported experiences, expanding professional networks and building confidence in the workplace.
This is the first and shorter of the two units that make up your final year of undergraduate study. The primary focus of this unit is the research report, a deep investigation into an area of interest to you and of relevance to the subject of creative computing. Through a structured research process, you will develop and document cutting edge knowledge that will provide you with a greater contextual understanding of your subject, as well as inform future practical projects. You will also be introduced to a series of more advanced theoretical and practical topics such as natural language processing, the technology underpinning chatbots and voice interaction, and shader programming, a powerful methodology used to address the graphics processing unit (GPU) directly.
40 credits
Resolution and Career Development (80 credits)
Your final unit allows you to research, conceptualise and create a self-determined final-year project(s), building on the skills and knowledge you have gathered throughout the programme. You’ll explore your digital and creative skill set, how to manage workflows, work to a brief, and success metrics. You’ll be able to participate in competitions, attend conferences, and meet visiting professionals. You’ll have the opportunity to display your final year work as part of our degree show, Grad Fest, showcasing your projects to a network of industry professionals and prospective employers. Additionally, you will be supported in developing a career pack consisting of elements such as a CV and portfolio website, all critical to helping you move forward at the end of your course.
80 credits
Core Projects
Wayfinding Week
The first week of each academic year is called Wayfinding week. It’s an opportunity get your bearings, establish new connections and, after your first year at Norwich, re-establish old ones. Your course team will talk you through the year ahead and explain the expectations for the year. We’ll help you navigate new encounters and identify areas to focus on as you progress through your course.
Make it Manifest(o)
An important element of Wayfinding Week is taking part in our annual ‘Make it Manifest(o)’ project. Your course team will introduce the project in which we’ll ask you to consider your hopes and vision of the year ahead at Norwich and work with students in other year groups to bring your ideas to life. The project culminates in a celebratory display of work across the campus. The project will help you to develop your critical creativity through different approaches, concepts, and mediums. You’ll encounter diverse perspectives and build friendships and networks within our university community.
Interchange Week
Interchange weeks are opportunities to step away from your disciplinary studies and engage in projects, workshops, visits and talks that extend your knowledge and understanding of the world. Whether you learn a new skill or take part in a global challenge project with students from other courses, you will come away with new insights to take back to your course. Interchange is part of the schedule for all Norwich students with sessions held across and beyond the campus led by university staff, visiting lecturers and students.
Assessment for this course is entirely coursework-based, meaning there are no exams. Your progress will be evaluated through the projects and assignments you complete for each unit. Throughout the year, you’ll receive ongoing feedback to help you refine your work and develop your skills. To support your learning and ensure you achieve the course outcomes, we use a variety of assessment methods, including:
Look around our city-centre campus, and you will find studios, media labs, and creative spaces in 13 buildings that sit among the cafés, bars, independent galleries and shops of Norwich’s cultural quarter.
The lab currently supports funded work exploring climate futures, virtual heritage, spatial computing, applied games, leading-edge approaches to virtual production and practice-based technology innovation for cultural organisations.
The UK’s creative sector is thriving, contributing £111.7 billion annually to the economy and offering over 2 million jobs.
Employability and career development are integral to every unit of our courses, ensuring students are well-prepared for the industry. Our students go on to secure exciting roles, launch successful businesses, and make a lasting impact in many sectors worldwide.
From day one, you’ll also get specialist career advice from our Business and Employability Team to help support you as you plan your career.
Typical career paths
Employability and entrepreneurship sessions will allow you to develop excellent transferrable skills in teamwork, project management, communication and problem-solving; and you will have opportunities to work with digital creative businesses in the University’s network.
In your final year you’ll produce a research report on a relevant area of theory, industry or practice, realise a significant portfolio project of your own choosing and develop a career plan that will help launch you from graduation into industry.
As a graduate of the course, you’ll be a technology-led creative professional, with top-level creative design and coding skills to embark on a graduate career in creative software development, immersive experiences, digital media, emerging technology, AI and machine learning. This course will also give you the skills and confidence to take roles and opportunities at the forefront of the discipline yet to be defined.
Creative developer
Design engineer
Mobile app developer
Web developer
Audio/visual researcher
92% of our graduates are in employment or further education within six months of graduating”
Graduate Outcomes 2021
Entry requirements
Norwich University of the Arts welcomes applicants of all ages from all backgrounds.
If the qualification that you are studying is not shown, do not worry as we are able to accept other pre-entry qualifications as well as combinations of different qualifications.
A/AS Levels (GCE)
GCE A/AS Levels 3 A-level qualifications at grades BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points) or above. Where candidates are not taking 3 A-levels, Norwich University of the Arts will consider combinations of A-level/AS-level and other Level 3 qualifications.
BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF)
Distinction, Merit, Merit in an art, design or media related subject
BTEC Diploma (QCF or RQF)
Distinction*, Distinction* in an art, design or media related subject
T Levels
A T Level in any subject with overall grade A* to C (Pass)
UAL Extended Diploma
Merit
UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Pass
UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Pass
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Pass
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)
Pass
International Baccalaureate Diploma
A minimum of 26 points
We accept qualifications from all over the world.
To find our entry requirements from a specific country, please check our dedicated international pages.
English language qualifications
Most international students are required to hold an English language qualification. Applicants are required to have a minimum UKVI approved IELTS exam score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each section. Equivalent English language qualifications are acceptable such as, IB English language syllabus A or B/English Literature (Grade 4).
GCSE in English and Maths at Grade 4 or above
If you do not have a Science or Mathematics-based A-level, you should have at least Grade B/Grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics.
Chat to a student
Got questions about studying with us? Chat to some of our students and find out everything you need to know about life at Norwich.
Integrated Foundation Year (optional): £9,535 per year
Level 5 Diploma Year (optional): £9,535 year
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Fees for subsequent years
Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used is expected to be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX). We would confirm this in advance to you of each academic year.
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert employability team, access to workshops and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year:
BA course (three year): £18,500
Integrated Foundation Year (optional): £18,500
level 5 Diploma year (optional): £18,500
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Fees for subsequent years
For Overseas students starting in 2025 inflation will be applied to your fees in later years. We will confirm this in advance to you of each academic year, and we will limit the increase to no more than the Office for Students’ recommended inflationary measure.
Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert employability team, access to workshops and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses will need to be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You’ll need our university UCAS code (N39) as well as your course code which you’ll find on your course page.
When you register with UCAS you will need include your previous and current qualifications information, personal statement, and reference.
Once we receive your application form through UCAS, we will email confirmation that we have received it and will give you access and instructions for logging into the applicant portal. Our decision will be communicated via UCAS.
Full-time Undergraduate International applicants can either apply via UCAS or directly by completing the online application form below or emailing the downloadable form to ioadmissions@norwichuni.ac.uk
