BA (Hons) Immersive Media & Virtual Film Production

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Bray Institute Of Further Education

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Immersive & Virtual Film Production delivered at Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE) and awarded by IADT is a forward-looking degree that blends filmmaking with immersive technologies such as virtual production, VR, AR and real-time media. It is designed for creative students who want to tell stories using cutting-edge tools while preparing for careers across film, television, games, digital media and emerging immersive industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a strong creative and technical foundation through modules such as Technical Skills, Storytelling Through Media, and Introduction to Immersive Media Production. Alongside hands-on broadcast projects, students develop essential abilities in Postproduction Video and Audio and gain an understanding of media workflows and production management. This year focuses on experimentation, collaboration and developing confidence with industry-standard tools.

Year 2

The second year expands technical depth and creative ambition with modules including Virtual Production, 3D Modelling and Asset Creation, and Production Sprint. Students begin working with Game Engines and Motion Tracking, while Creative Coding introduces interactive media development. Professional growth is supported through Personal Professional Development, preparing students for real-world creative environments.

Year 3

Year three is delivered at IADT’s National Film School and focuses on advanced immersive storytelling through Storytelling for AR and VR and New Media Technologies. Students develop critical thinking and research skills through Digital Studies and Research Methodologies, alongside a Thesis Research Proposal. A Professional Practice and Placement module provides valuable industry exposure and insight into creative careers.

Year 4

In the final year, students demonstrate their creative identity and technical expertise through a Major Project, supported by a Minor Project and a written Thesis. This year allows students to specialise, build a professional portfolio and graduate with a clear direction into industry or further study.

Focus Areas

Immersive and virtual film production, virtual sets, AR and VR storytelling, real-time media, motion tracking, 3D asset creation, creative coding, and professional production workflows.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to plan, design and produce immersive film and media projects using industry-relevant technologies. They will develop strong creative, technical and collaborative skills, enabling them to work confidently across film, television, games, immersive media and digital content industries.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This is a Level 8 BA (Honours) degree awarded by the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) and delivered in partnership with Bray Institute of Further Education, fully aligned with Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications.

Reputation (Employability)

The program prepares graduates for employment in rapidly growing creative sectors, including immersive media production, virtual filmmaking, VFX, gaming, digital storytelling and freelance creative practice. Skills developed are directly aligned with current and emerging industry demands.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA (Hons) Immersive & Virtual Film Production programme is designed around hands-on learning, ensuring students graduate with real, practical experience rather than just theoretical knowledge. From the beginning of the course at Bray Institute of Further Education, students work directly with professional equipment and digital tools, developing creative and technical skills through active production projects. As students progress to IADT’s National Film School, learning becomes increasingly industry-focused, with access to specialist facilities and opportunities that mirror professional creative environments.

This practical approach allows students to experiment, collaborate, and build confidence while creating work that reflects current industry practices, leading naturally into more advanced immersive and virtual production work:

Media and production facilities at BIFE: Students work in television and video studios, multimedia production spaces, sound and editing labs, and computer suites designed specifically for film, media and digital production. These facilities support hands-on learning in broadcast production, post-production, and immersive media from the first year of study.
Industry-relevant software and digital tools: Throughout the programme, students develop skills using professional editing and post-production software, 3D modelling tools, game engines, creative coding environments, and motion-tracking systems that support virtual and immersive production workflows.
Collaborative group projects: Many modules are built around teamwork, including production sprints and media production projects, allowing students to work in crews, manage roles, and deliver creative outcomes together, reflecting how film and immersive media are produced professionally.
Professional practice and work placement: In Year 3 at IADT, students undertake professional practice and placement activities that provide exposure to real creative workplaces, helping them build industry awareness, experience, and professional networks.
National Film School facilities at IADT: During the final stages of the programme, students access specialist National Film School facilities, including television studios, green-screen environments, control rooms, radio studios, and advanced production spaces that support immersive storytelling and virtual production.
Library and research support: Students benefit from access to IADT’s library and research resources, which support project development, thesis work, and critical engagement with film, media, and immersive technologies.

Through this strong emphasis on experiential learning, graduates leave the programme with a professional portfolio, hands-on technical confidence, and real production experience that prepares them for careers in film, immersive media, virtual production, gaming, and digital storytelling.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Immersive & Virtual Film Production programme are well prepared to move into creative and technical roles across the fast-growing immersive media and screen industries. Typical career paths include Immersive Media Producer, Virtual Production Specialist, AR/VR Content Creator, and Multimedia Creative or Digital Designer, with opportunities in film, television, games, advertising, and interactive media. Because the programme combines hands-on production with emerging technologies, students graduate with a strong portfolio and practical experience that employers actively look for.

This career readiness is supported throughout the programme in the following ways:

Career guidance and employability support: Students benefit from career and student support services provided through IADT, including advice on career planning, portfolio development, interview preparation, and creative enterprise support for those interested in freelance or self-employed work.
Industry experience through placement: In the third year of the programme, students engage in professional practice and placement activities that provide real workplace exposure and help build industry confidence and professional networks.
Strong creative reputation: IADT is nationally recognised for creative education and is home to Ireland’s National Film School, with a strong record of graduate employment across its film, media and creative technology programmes.
Industry-aligned programme design: The degree is delivered through a partnership between BIFE and IADT, ensuring students are introduced early to professional standards, industry workflows, and the expectations of higher-level creative production environments.
Recognised qualification: This is a Level 8 honours degree on Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications, offering long-term value for both employment and further academic study.
Flexible graduate outcomes: Graduates are equipped for a wide range of roles, from working in production companies and immersive media studios to building careers as freelance creators, digital artists, or independent producers.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BA (Hons) Immersive & Virtual Film Production, students may choose to continue into postgraduate study in areas such as film production, immersive media, virtual production, animation, creative technologies, or media research. The Level 8 award also provides a strong foundation for master’s programmes and, for those interested in research or academic careers, potential progression to doctoral study.