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Immersive Factual Storytelling MA

London, Stratford (UCL East)

Are you interested in learning more about how the latest technology can be used to create compelling immersive stories? Join us at our new UCL East campus to take your storytelling skills and confidence to the next level, so you’re ready to join the international immersive VR/AR documentary community. Apply 360 production, ethics, spatial audio and coding to a series of short experiences before completing an ambitious graduate project.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£21,500
£10,750
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£39,200
£19,600
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

We normally require an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with lower second-class degrees (i.e. UK 2:2 or the overseas equivalent) may be considered if their application is supported strongly by relevant experience. In exceptional circumstances, we will also consider applicants without higher education qualifications provided they demonstrate a significant track record in this or a related field.
We seek students who can show evidence of active engagement in immersive storytelling in previous work or study experience. We require a portfolio of work to support all applications, please find the portfolio requirements under the Next Steps section (below).

The English language level for this course is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


'It has been a truly enriching and unique learning journey.'
Felicity Chen, Immersive Factual Storytelling MA, 2023–24

The Immersive Factual Storytelling MA will develop your skills as a factual immersive designer and storyteller, including training in the use of 360-degree cameras, immersive sound equipment and the creation of computer-graphics-based virtual-reality experiences. Unlike other virtual-reality and immersive-technology programmes, this MA focuses on factual storytelling, including creating stories for enterprise use.

You will learn to plan, produce and pitch exhibition-quality narrative-based immersive experiences and graduate with the skills to practice as a non-fiction 360-degree virtual-reality storyteller.
You will explore the boundaries of immersive storytelling by drawing on anthropological and social-science approaches to documentary, while taking inspiration from games, films, immersive audio experiences, and more.
You will benefit from regular contact with industry-leading practitioners to help you expand your ideas, ambitions and professional networks, equipping you for your professional life beyond UCL.
From audio production to experimental cinema, you will specialise in the elements of public anthropology that interest you most, choosing from a range of optional modules to enrich your appreciation and understanding of factual storytelling in different contexts.

You will study at the top university in London, and 4th in the world, for Anthropology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

You will study in a warm and welcoming department that is also one of the largest and broadest anthropology departments in the UK, which researches and teaches across five sub-sections, and which continually works to expand and reshape the discipline. 

Who this course is for

The Immersive Factual Storytelling MA is best suited to students looking to develop their immersive factual storytelling and production in a professional framework, guided by leading industry figures and informed by innovative and scientific approaches.

You may already be actively engaged with immersive storytelling in previous work or studies and want to extend your storytelling by exploring experiential factual storytelling.

The degree is well-suited to working professionals who wish to study part-time over two years.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you


The Immersive Factual Storytelling MA builds on UCL’s tradition of developing a new generation of immersive experts. Taught by leading immersive professionals, this programme is designed to meet increasing demand for professional training in virtual (VR) and extended (XR) technologies and storytelling techniques.

As virtual reality (VR) becomes a tool for enterprise and beyond, students have the opportunity to collaborate with members of other world-leading faculties across UCL to design and create collaborative, cross-disciplinary work which has the potential to address solutions for current social challenges.

You will receive advanced training in the fundamentals of immersive production and delivery, including: story design and development; independent research and implementation; ethics; pitching; 360-degree recording and filming devices; 3D production (including basic coding in game engines); and virtual reality (VR) software, equipment, editing and delivery.

You will also develop demonstrable competencies transferable to any profession, including complex problem-solving and creative initiative; design and communication skills, including the ability to interpret and present complex data to diverse audiences; and effective independent and team working, leadership, and time and project management.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates of this programme will be equipped to pursue a range of careers in extended reality (XR), particularly in virtual reality (VR) design and development.

UCL Anthropology graduates work in a diverse range of industry sectors including:  

  • Media
  • Performance and creative arts
  • PR, advertising and marketing
  • Consultancy
  • IT, technology and telecommunications. 

Many also pursue further academic study. (Graduate Outcomes Surveys carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 2017-2022).
 

Employability

The course provides students with skills in immersive design, research, 360 pre-production, production, experiential storytelling, editing, post-production and delivery. Students will also learn basic coding (for use in a game engine). Students will be introduced to the integration of associated software, IT and equipment necessary for these processes as well as receiving an introduction to the ethical, pitching and distribution skills required for an Immersive factual producer.

Students will learn to manage the production of an exhibition quality and broadly distributable immersive documentary experience, working collaboratively in conception, management and delivery.  Students also learn to pitch an immersive experience to funders and/or industry partners. Through participation in workshops, masterclasses, volunteering at industry events, and one round of Open City Documentary Festival, the course introduces students them to a range of industry contexts that raise employability.

The rigours of Virtual Reality multidisciplinary team-work also provide a general training for anyone wishing to work in an industry that demands problem-solving, teamwork, a self-learning mindset and creative initiative taking. The evolving nature of immersive storytelling also provides valuable experience for those wishing to work in emerging technologies, developing the capacity for mental agility, flexibility of approach, open-minded creativity alongside a focus on production goals.

Networking

As a student in UCL Anthropology, you have access to many opportunities to help further your career:

  • You will learn from and network with leading internal and external industry practitioners through a weekly seminar series, regular masterclasses and immersive events in and around London.
  • You will be supported by an industry mentor while planning and producing your final project, who will help you forge links with and gain access to relevant professional organisations.
  • You will be encouraged to get involved with UCL Computer Science's Virtual Reality (VR) Club and take advantage of opportunities to showcase your work across the university.
  • You will be encouraged to attend complementary departmental seminars given by active researchers in environmental, evolutionary and social anthropology and material, visual and digital culture throughout your studies.
  • You will be encouraged to take advantage of the broader virtual reality (VR) and factual storytelling communities at UCL, our neighbouring institutions and across London more widely, including attending and participating in seminars, conferences, virtual reality exhibitions and partnership opportunities to help you establish industry connections and extend your professional networks.
  • You will be encouraged to engage with the department’s active careers support activities and initiatives, which include regular career development seminars and networking events.

All students are encouraged to host and/or participate in a Reading and Research Group (RRG), which are open spaces to exchange ideas on themes of mutual interest and welcome staff and student participation from across UCL and our neighbouring institutions.

The department's central London location presents a range of opportunities to work, volunteer and carry out fieldwork in relevant organisations.

The department also houses London's global non-fiction film festival, Open City Documentary Festival, which all students are invited to volunteer to support to network with non-fiction film industry leading professionals.

Teaching and learning

You will learn through lectures, interactive seminars involving critical discussion to develop your analytical skills, masterclasses, practical workshops, exercises and independent directed and self-directed watching and reading. You will undertake supervised project developmentand create short immersive works throughout.

The three compulsory modules will teach you skills in virtual-reality storytelling and design, taught by a team of specialists in their field: spatial audio, 360-degree filming and editing, immersive storytelling and interactivity, including coding for game engines. While planning and producing your final project, you will benefit from mentorship from an industry professional.

You will learn to reflect on when and how immersive techniques can be used to tell stories effectively, and design and create headset-based immersive stories and experiences to understand, consider, analyse and experiment with the future of innovative, experiential storytelling. You will be encouraged to develop your own ideas for using immersive techniques to investigate the enormously diverse world around you.

You will critically analyse a catalogue of virtual reality (VR) and XR content to develop your critical thinking and analytical abilities. This will involve watching, experiencing and listening to various immersive works from different parts of the world, exploring different modes of representation and storytelling.

Assessment method will depend on the module, and may include essays, reports, presentations, coursework, and portfolios. All students on this course will also be assessed through an independent piece of work via the graduate project module.

For full time students, typical contact hours are up to 21 contact hours a week consisting of a mix of lectures, seminars and one-to-one project supervision.

Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically use their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments (around 15-20 hours).

Modules

In Terms 1 and 2, you will take the Introduction to Immersive Factual Storytelling and the Spatial Audio production module: Sonic Experience Production. These two modules are designed to prepare you to find compelling stories and produce and direct immersive projects using VR, 360 filming technology and spatial sound. Practical training in the use of 360 cameras, sound technology and coding will support you to bring your stories to light. In small production teams, you will produce a 360 film, a short spatial audio work and a fully interactive VR experience with associated critical evaluations

You will also take two optional modules.

From April to the end of the summer, in small production teams under the guidance of an established industry professional mentor, you will work on your graduation project: a full 360 or VR production. This will build your experience in advanced level immersive storytelling and design skills, preparing you for professional work in the immersive industry.

As a part-time student, you will complete your degree over two years. In Year 1, you will take the two compulsory modules.

You may choose to take one optional module in the first year and one in the second, or both in the second.

From April of Year 2, you will work on your graduation project.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules











Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Immersive Factual Storytelling.

Fieldwork

Students will spend the summer term researching, designing and creating their final graduate portfolio, which will include a practical immersive project, made through collaboration with other members of the cohort and beyond. In addition, students will research and write their critical evaluation. The portfolio is submitted in late August.

The scope and nature graduate project is formulated in discussion with students’ appointed supervisor, and subject to departmental approval.
 

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Immersive Factual Storytelling MA

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Thinking about taking the next step in your academic and professional journey? Join us online for our UCL Anthropology Postgraduate Taught Open Event. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore your future with UCL Anthropology! Save the date and join us online to find out how our postgraduate community could be the next step in your academic and professional journey.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £21,500 £10,750
Tuition fees (2026/27) £39,200 £19,600

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

You will need to have two hard drives capable of securely storing your work. These drives typically start at around £50. UCL provides one of these in exchange for you buying your own Head Mounted Display (currently we suggest this is a Quest 3, which starts at £469.99) for your personal viewing of VR work. It is important that you have your own headset for several reasons, including hygiene. There are a small number of headsets we can loan students, but in order to have full access to VR it is recommended you have your own.

All students will be provided with 360 editing software and 3D development tools. We encourage and expect students to complete their coursework on campus as the computers on site are equipped and licensed to support premium packages. Our course staff and mentors are actively engaged in industry to ensure that campus based resources are market leading. Some user licenses will allow students to work from home, but we can’t guarantee this, or support students to upgrade or purchase personal devices. Course staff can advise on free alternatives and hardware specifications for those looking to work off campus and personally purchase their own hardware where possible.  

As this programme is based at the UCL East campus in Stratford, students choosing to take an optional module only available at the Bloomsbury campus will need to fund their own travel between campuses. Tickets from zone 2 to zone 1 costs £8.50 for students or a travel card zone 1-4 for £15.90. Optional networking activities within London will incur similar travel costs. If students choose to attend networking conferences or other events outside of London, the costs will vary and will need to be covered by the student.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

UCL East Scholarship

The scholarship works to support the ambitions of east Londoners by funding the fees and living costs of eligible Master's programmes including this MA at UCL. For further details, visit: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/ucl-east-london-scholarship.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1 year)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

CLOSED FOR 25/26 ENTRY
Value: Tuition fees plus £16,000 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Immersive Factual Storytelling at graduate level
• why you want to study Immersive Factual Storytelling at UCL
• how your personal, academic and professional skills and experience inform your interest in, and will enable you to succeed on, this MA programme
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Please also include:

• a proposal for an immersive project (two sides of A4, typed and double-spaced max.) to include: an outline of what the experience is about; what will happen in the experience (the user journey); and other elements crucial to the narrative structure. You are not committed to this proposal for your final project.

Applicants with prior immersive experience should also submit a (linear) video portfolio of (up to 10 minutes) showcasing their work.

Applicants with no prior immersive experience should also submit a piece of creative work including (but not limited to) audio production, film or installation (up to 20 minutes), writing, painting, photography, music composition or theatre. For those with a performing arts background, evidence of productions e.g. photos and reviews can be submitted in place of a portfolio of work.

Please submit your portfolio by including a link to an external site of your choice at the end of your personal statement, or your photos and reviews by attaching a PDF to your application.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Anthropology
Anthropology

public.anthro@ucl.ac.uk

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