Creative Computing BA, BSc, 3-4 years

Start date:

2021
2022

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UCAS codes G453, G452

Institute code L34

Taught by School of Informatics

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Admissions enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 5281
seadmissions@le.ac.uk

Course enquiries
andrew.hugill@le.ac.uk
hongji.yang@le.ac.uk

School of Informatics website

Today's digital economy needs tomorrow's leaders to have both creative flair and technical skills - and the business acumen to tie them together. The Creative Computing course is as flexible and innovative as you, giving you the option to study for either a BA or BSc degree.

Course description

Course description

The combination of creativity and computing is highly sought-after by industry and there is a real demand for creative coders, digital technologists and computer artists of all kinds.

Creative Computing is a future-oriented course that comprises creativity, computing and business, with the ability to choose an arts (BA) or science (BSc) pathway.

In your first year you will cover the fundamentals of computing and programming, digital design and Information Management. You will work in a digital arts lab and produce games and apps.

The second year of the course includes an opportunity to work on a collaborative project in a real-world situation. Your technical training will include web and mobile technologies and Big Data analysis.

Those students who choose the arts pathway will find themselves making narratives for games or writing, staging digital installations, or giving live performances. Those who pursue the science path will focus on areas such as software architecture, systems design, machine learning or cognitive science.

Year 3 features a major project in which you will develop a product and become an entrepreneur. This is supported by studies of computational creativity (machines that create), emerging technologies, social computing, ethics, law and activism. The technological focus extends to AI technologies and computing for health. Arts pathway students will work in areas such as games and culture, and technology management.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A/AS-levels: BBB. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level.
  • EPQ with A-levels: BBC + EPQ at grade B.
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 24 of which must be at Distinction. 
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points.
  • BTEC Nationals: Pass Extended Diploma with DDM.

No specific subjects at A-level are required, but you should ideally have a mix of arts and sciences qualifications. If you have all sciences or all arts, we will check your personal statement for evidence of sustained and credible activity in whichever side of things you're missing, such as evidence of computing, programming or web skills, or creative or artistic ability.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK and EU Students

Starting in 2022

Tuition fees for 2022/23 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2021/22 were:

  • £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
  • Year in Industry: your fee will be 15% of the full-time tuition fee that applies in that year

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £2,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2022

Tuition fees for 2022/23 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2021/22 were:

  • £21,515 per year
  • Year in Industry: £3,227.25, which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee

You will need to pay a deposit of £2,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

The creative digital economy is fast-changing and dynamic. This course will prepare you to work not just in roles that are available now, but for those jobs that will emerge in the future. You may become an entrepreneur running your own company, or work for an existing organisation. We work closely with industrial partners such as NSC, ESL and MBD to stay in touch with the employment market.

Jobs in the sector currently include:

  • App developer
  • Big data delivery lead
  • Concept artist
  • Creative developer
  • Creative technologist
  • Data visualisation designer
  • Digital analyst
  • Digital artist
  • Digital content creator/strategist
  • Digital designer
  • Digital entrepreneur
  • Marketing and optimisation manager
  • Front end developer
  • Interaction designer
  • Learning technologist
  • Media editor
  • Multimedia designer
  • Sensational data scientist
  • Social media manager
  • UX manager Web designer

Career Development Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Career Development Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we’re here to help you reach your professional goals.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Course structure

Year 1

Year 1

Modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2 (BA)

Year 2 (BA)

Core modules

Option modules

Choose one option module from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2 (BSc)

Year 2 (BSc)

Core modules

Option modules

Choose one option module from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)

If you want to, you can spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement (eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2). Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in three years.

NB. A year spent abroad or on an industrial placement still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See our Fees and Funding section for details.

Year Abroad

Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to work in the private sector, the state sector, a non-governmental organisation or become self-employed you will find the experience invaluable. Find out more from our Study Abroad Unit.

The School of Informatics at Leicester has links with several European universities, administered through the Erasmus+ scheme. If you are eligible for a loan from Student Finance you can apply for a travel grant from them. Languages courses, at both beginners and advanced level, are available through the University’s Languages at Leicester scheme.

  • For the latest information on the future of the Erasmus+ scheme at UK universities please see our Brexit microsite.

We have links with the following universities:

The School of Informatics also has links with some universities outside Europe. If you are receiving financial assistance from Student Finance your support will continue and you may also be eligible to apply for additional travel grants or scholarships. We have links with the following universities:

Year in Industry

You take an industrial placement: this is normally a paid company position, more than offsetting the additional cost of the extra year. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a working environment. You must apply for your placement yourself, but we will help you with the process.

During your placement you will be visited by a member of staff; when you return to the University you may give a presentation of your work experience. You will be provided with a log book to document your placement and will write a final report detailing your work, which will be assessed as part of your degree.

We provide excellent careers support, and our Industrial Advisory Board assists us in keeping our degrees fit for industrial needs. A year in industry is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the type of profession that you can choose after you graduate, and can also point you towards postgraduate studies that may help you strengthen the profile that you have identified for your career.

Your placement effectively begins in year two when you will be briefed in writing a CV, interview techniques and the procedures that you need to follow to obtain a placement. In addition, a list of potential industrial partners who have taken students in past years will normally be provided.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 3 (BA)

Year 3 (BA)

Core modules

Option modules

Choose one option module from:


Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 3 (BSc)

Year 3 (BSc)

Core modules

Option modules

Choose one option module from:


Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

Our Student Learning Community is here to support you

Our Creative Computing course is as flexible and innovative as you, giving you the option to either concentrate on the artistic aspects of the subject (BA degree) or take a more scientific approach (BSc degree).

In your first year you will cover the fundamentals of computing and programming; you will work in a digital arts lab and produce games and apps.

Year 2 of the course includes an opportunity to work on a collaborative project in a real-world situation.

Your final year features a major project in which you will develop a product and become an entrepreneur.

Teaching and learning

Teaching will include lectures and lab classes, small group tutorials, projects, seminars, workshops, field trips and innovative demonstrations.

State-of-the-art web-based materials, automated feedback and marking systems, on-line tests and electronic coursework submission all provide an excellent modern learning environment.

Assessment methods are varied and wide-ranging, including: annotated logs, blog posts, business plans, multiple-choice exercises, concept maps, essays, essay plans, field reports, lab reports, literature reviews, live performances, reflective journals, portfolios, presentations, role play and written exams and tests.

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.

Apply now

Course Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Creative Computing BA Duration 3 years UCAS Code G453 Availability Apply Now
Course Creative Computing BSc Duration 3 years UCAS Code G452 Availability Apply Now
Course Creative Computing with a Year Abroad BA Duration 4 years UCAS Code G453 Availability Apply Now
Course Creative Computing with a Year Abroad BSc Duration 4 years UCAS Code G452 Availability Apply Now
Course Creative Computing with a Year in Industry BA Duration 4 years UCAS Code G453 Availability Apply Now
Course Creative Computing with a Year in Industry BSc Duration 4 years UCAS Code G452 Availability Apply Now