BSc (Hons) Creative Computing

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BSc (Hons) Creative Computing

Our BSc (Hons) Creative Computing degree course has been developed in response to the digital and creative industries’ need for creative graduates with advanced technical skills

Build skills in coding and software design that are in high demand both nationally and internationally, all while developing your understanding of creative design principles.

The creative industries are changing. The lines are blurring between making and creating in the physical and digital worlds. Whilst many creative people know how to use digital platforms that others have designed, relatively few are able to design and make using coding as their medium.

“Imagine a world where creative practitioners can build the software they need to use for their creative practice”

On this course you will learn about creativity – What do we mean by this? How can computers support creativity? Can computers be creative? – and the coding necessary to build future applications. 

You don’t need to know how to code at the beginning: starting with the computational thinking that underpins all computer programming, you will develop practical coding skills by completing a series of carefully constructed projects. For example, applying coding and creative skills to creative web and app work, while thinking about interaction, image and text.

You will also 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. For example, being inspired by shapes and forms found in the natural world.

You will also be introduced to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to support more advanced project development (such as using AI to construct complex visuals and ML to train a computer to recognise facial expressions). Your final year research report and major projects will present significant opportunities for you to develop your very own creative computing specialism, supported by tutors, technicians, and specialist physical resources. These final projects will likely form the centrepiece of your graduate portfolio.

As with all courses at Norwich University of the Arts, your learning experience will be hands-on. 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.

Your tutors will be experienced industry professionals, grounding you in the technical skills you need whilst supporting the development of your creative and design flair.

Employability and entrepreneurship sessions integrated into your programme 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.

As a graduate of the course, you will be a creative professional with both strong software development skills and the creative and design skills that have been the bedrock of specialist teaching at Norwich University of the Arts since 1845. Cutting-edge coding skills will unlock a wide range of opportunities for high-quality graduate roles, from creative development, design engineering, mobile app development, and web development, to design projects linked to artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Typical career paths include:

Creative developer
Design engineer
Mobile app developer
Web developer
Audio/visual researcher

You’ll also get specialist creative careers advice from our Business and Employability Team to help support you as you plan your career.

Course information

Institution code: N39
Course UCAS code: C100
Course length: 3 years
Sandwich courses: Creative Professional Development (1 year, Level 5 diploma), or Creative Computing (1 year, Level 5 diploma), available between years 2 & 3

All courses started in September 2021 are run as a blend of on-campus and digital teaching and learning and will follow UK government safety advice. We may need to adjust course delivery if advice changes. We will notify applicants and students of any changes directly.

Course specification

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Course content

Year 1
Creativity and Design: Where we are - History and Theory examining Computers and examining Creativity; Challenging our world – Design Thinking; The Future – speculative design
Data: Where does it come from – exploring networks; What does it mean – exploring data; Who sees us — data privacy, security, ethics
Coding: Core coding; Coding objects; Web: your public presence; Creative Coding: animation, data, interaction
Building your Development Journal – tracking your creativity, productivity and progress.

Year 2
Computational Creativity: Algorithmic thinking
Software Development: Software engineering in the real world; Data & Information: collecting, mining & using
Interfaces in a mobile world: Interaction Design; Human Computer Interaction
Realising the potential for collaboration with other creative professionals or organisations by working on an industry project
Exploration of where you might fit in the world of creative computing
Determining your career direction and the basics of starting a business.

Year 3
Text and Vision: Image processing; Natural Language Processing
Machine Learning: Introduction to AI; How machine learning can support your creative output
Nature of Code – computational creativity part 2
Research report
Creativity – Final Major Project to showcase creative design and technical ability
Developing your career pack.

Entry requirements
Fees & funding
Level 5 Diplomas

Typical UK offers

A / AS Levels – GCE
3 A-level qualifications at grades BBB.
A-levels including Art & Design/Design Technology/Computer Science/Maths/Physics/Psychology are encouraged, but not mandated.
Where candidates are not taking 3 A-levels, NUA will consider combinations of A-level/AS-level and other Level 3 qualifications.

GCSE
Minimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4 and Maths at grade B or 5

BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF)
Distinction, Merit, Merit in Computer Science/Computing; Creative Digital Media; Creative Media Production

BTEC Diploma (QCF or RQF)
Distinction*, Distinction in Computer Science/Computing; Creative Digital Media; Creative Media Production

T Levels
A T Level in any subject with overall grade Merit or above

UAL Extended Diploma
An overall Merit in a related field

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)
Pass in Computer Science/Computing or a creative field

International Baccalaureate Diploma
A minimum of 27 points

NUA welcomes applicants of all ages from all backgrounds. Your application will be assessed through responses to questions asked as part of the application process and your personal statement — as well as your qualifications — so even if you have no formal qualifications or do not meet our typical offers it can still be worth applying.

If you are studying at the time of your application and your application is successful it is likely that you will receive a conditional offer.

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. Please do contact our Student Recruitment Team if you have any queries.

Fees and Funding

The cost of your course is determined by your status as either ‘UK or ‘International/EU’, so it’s important to check your fee status. If you’re unsure, the UKCISA website will help you determine whether you’re eligible to pay a UK fee (also called a ‘home’ fee). If you’d prefer to speak to NUA directly, please contact student.finance@nua.ac.uk

UK students are eligible for a tuition fee loan from the UK government, meaning you won’t have to pay your fees upfront. Further details about tuition fee loans are provided below. International students are not eligible for the UK government tuition fee loan.

2023/24 Tuition Fees for new entrants

Citizen status	Course	Annual fee
UK	Undergraduate degree (full-time three and four year degree)	£9,250
International (including EU)	Undergraduate degree (full-time three and four year degree)	£18,000

Fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

International students

Find out more about 2023 fees for international students and the scholarships and support available.

Financial support for UK students

Tuition fee loans and loans for living costs are available, as well as non-repayable NUA bursaries that take into account family income. Find out how to apply for funding.

Tuition Fee Loan for undergraduate study – 2023/24

Tuition fee loans are available for UK students.

Available to cover the full cost of your tuition
You don’t have to pay for your course upfront yourself
Only start paying back when you are earning over £26,575 per year

Maintenance Loan for undergraduate study – 2023/24

Student Maintenance Loans are available from Student Finance England for UK students to help with living costs such as accommodation, food, clothes, travel and course expenses. The amount students receive is dependent on household income and any maintenance grant received.

A loan of up to £9,203 may be available if you live away from home.
A loan of up to £7,747 may be available if you live with your parents.

Different figures may apply if you are currently based in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

How can you find out more?

To learn more about loans, repayment calculations and other financial support, visit Student Finance. If you have any questions about fees, please email us: student.finance@nua.ac.uk

Scholarships

Find out about scholarship programmes available to NUA applicants.

Bursaries

For new entrants whose household income is assessed as £25,000 or less, the university will offer a contribution towards the costs of studying at NUA (such as equipment, materials and other course-related costs). Find out more about bursaries at NUA.

NUA alumni, staff and feeder staff discount

All NUA alumni are eligible for a £1,000 discount on NUA postgraduate degree fees. All NUA staff and staff from feeder institutions are eligible for a £500 discount on NUA postgraduate degree fees.

All students have an opportunity to spend a year, between the second and third year of their course, enhancing their employability options through a Level 5 Diploma.

These courses are offered in Creative Professional Development; a structured programme of input sessions and work-based learning, and Creative Computing; designed to build the foundation skills in coding and software design that are in high demand in the digital and creative industries.