Bath Spa University

Bath Spa University is a public university in Somerset, England, whose origins trace back to the Bath School of Art in 1852 before gaining full university status in 2005. Its creative computing, screen, and design disciplines emphasize practice-led learning, coursework assessment, and production workflows across two distinct campuses.

Creative Campuses and Specialized Facilities

The university distributes its creative technologies and art workshops between two sites:

• Newton Park: Set on a historic estate outside Bath, this campus houses modern production infrastructure in the Commons building, including TV Studio B, equipped with a 12-camera Optitrack motion capture rig and a Vanishing Point virtual production tracking system.
• Locksbrook Campus: Housed in a repurposed, RIBA-award-winning former Herman Miller factory, Locksbrook features open-plan technical workshops and multidisciplinary studios that integrate traditional making with digital design.

Game Development

The BA (Hons) Games Development program uses a 100% coursework model structured around commercial development milestones rather than written exams:

• Year One: Focuses on interactive design foundations, including coding, 2D character illustration, level design, and prototyping, producing game design documents and quality assurance records.
• Year Two: Expands into 3D modeling and animation, web games, virtual reality experiences, and sound design, tested through user experience sessions and playable builds.
• Year Three: Covers advanced real-time systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data visualization, culminating in serious games, tangible games, and commercial pitches.

Animation and Digital Storytelling

Undergraduate animation study encompasses BA (Hons) Animation and BA (Hons) Digital Animation. Both pathways combine traditional movement principles with digital workflows, covering narrative structure, cinematic language, and sound design. Students assemble targeted showreels and project portfolios, with opportunities to work out of external spaces such as the Paintworks in Bristol to connect with commercial creative networks.

Virtual Production and Real-Time Pipelines

At the postgraduate level, the MSc in Virtual Production bridges live-action filmmaking and real-time computing. Based around Newton Park's motion capture and camera tracking studios, students build and light digital environments in Unreal Engine 4 for in-camera visual effects and live-action set integration. Across its digital arts programs, the university provides access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite as an Adobe Creative Campus.