Graduate Diploma in Virtual Reality

Programme Overview

Academic Level

Postgraduate/Masters,

Awarded by

University of London, UK

Programme type

Full-time, 1 year

Campus location

SIM Campus

Application Dates

Now till 20 Feb 2025 (local and international applicants)

Estimated Fees
(incl. GST)*

S$14,770 to S$15,685

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* All fees inclusive of current 9% GST (exclude textbooks / course materials, SIM application fee, preparatory / bridging course fee, and other fees). Refer to GST Notes under Fees Tab for more information.

Programme Outline

Awarded by the University of London, UK and Developed by federation member, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK.

Exploring virtual reality's transformative potential

Virtual reality (VR) is the creation of immersive, simulated environments using computer systems. Advancements in technology has now put virtual reality in the hands of the consumer. This has created a demand for people who can develop this software and experiences in this medium. 

VR involves the creation of immersive, simulated environments using computer systems. Recent technology advances have made it possible to create high fidelity, high immersion virtual realities which people can access with consumer hardware. Virtual reality has many application areas, including entertainment, education and military.

We want you to learn by doing – we’ve got a strong focus on the practical rather than the theoretical. The program is highly hands-on; you will be designing, developing and implementing software solutions since Day 1.

SIM and the Goldsmiths Department of Computing have collaborated to offer computing programmes locally since 1993. The new programmes, which focus on AI, Web Services and other rapidly rising technologies, will propel �� to achieve its dreams of becoming a smart nation and intelligent island

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Learning Outcomes

The classic stereotype of the nerdy, solo, and socially awkward computer scientist is officially a relic of the past. As the economy digitises, technologists are being integrated into the fabric of business. These days attending meetings, presenting at conferences, and sharing ideas with colleagues are as crucial a part of a developer’s work as writing code.

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a sound understanding of the main areas of virtual reality and development and also demonstrate the ability to exercise critical judgement to the evaluation of virtual reality applications;
Apply a critical understanding of essential concepts, principles and practices of virtual reality, and critically evaluate the results.

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Further Studies & Career Prospects

The explosive and ever-growing use of technology in business and commerce means that there’s a whole range of different career possibilities for computing graduates. In terms of job opportunities and salaries, the IT sector is well ahead of most other industrial and commercial sectors.

This programme was designed for students who would like to have a strong foundation in computer science. And depending on the graduate diploma completed would like to have specialist knowledge in areas including: Artificial Intelligence, User Experience (UX), Virtual Reality, Games Development, Physical Computing and the Internet of Things and Web Development. Typical job titles include:

VR Developer
Environment Artist
VR Architect
Augmented Reality Engineer

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Why study at SIM x University of London

SIM is the leading private education institution in ��.

Excellent value with lower tuition costs in SIM.

SIM has collaborated with the Department of Computing at Goldsmiths since 1993.

For Bachelor's degree graduates who would like to have an additional qualification but do not want to commit to a full second degree.

Learn more about the University of London

Intake Dates

2025 Apr intake

PROGRAMME DURATION

Apr 2025 to Mar 2026

APPLICATION PERIOD

Now till 20 Feb 2025 (local and international applicants)

Early submission of eApplication is strongly recommended.

Minimum / Maximum Candidature Period
Minimum: 1 year
Maximum: 5 years

No refund or recourse should student fail to complete within the maximum period.

At SIM, students who are academically weak and find it difficult to progress or complete the programme within the minimum duration will receive counselling.

SIM reserves the right to recommend and withdraw a student who cannot cope with the demands of the programme, especially when the student’s pass has expired.

Curriculum

Structure

This programme will run over two semesters a year. Student can study up to four new modules in one semester; or two plus final project.

Classes

All class are conducted on SIM campus unless otherwise stated.
Classes are held in three-hour blocks between Monday and Friday, starting at 8.30am, 12pm, or 3.30pm. There are occasional classes on weeknights at 7pm and weekends.
Average teacher-student ratio: 1:80
Minimum class size to commence: 25 students

Academic Support

Local faculty support from SIM and online academic support from Goldsmiths, University of London.
View a list of lecturers (PDF 24.9 KB)
A blended learning approach is adopted. Besides learning via online resources, SIM prepares students for discussion, coursework or project work; face-to-face sessions emphasizing discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises. In class, the lecturer facilitates discussion and learning. As such, a large amount of time is spent on a mixture of:
- Lectures, Lab work, Computer simulation sessions, and Online learning through Coursera
Academic materials are drawn from:
- Coursera, Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), SIMConnect portal, and University materials such as subject guides, past exam papers and exam commentaries, reading lists and handbooks on good study strategies

Learning with Coursera

The BSc Computer Science (CS) programme is fully developed and taught by the same faculty that teaches on-campus at University of London. The University of London leverages Coursera’s online education platform to deliver the programme curriculum, allowing our students to benefit from Coursera features such as interactive video transcription, in-course note taking, and seamless learning across multiple devices.

The supplementary readings, video lectures, assignments, and discussion forums are extensively discussed in class. Students also collaborate on group projects using Zoom and Slack. Students may access all course materials anywhere with the mobile app on Coursera, available on iOS and Android.

Using the mobile app, learners can: (1) Save a week’s worth of content for offline access with one click (2) Save and submit quizzes offline (3) View text transcripts of lecture videos (4) Take notes directly in the app (5) Set reminder alerts to help students progress.

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Assessment & Attendance

Modules: Each module, excluding the Final Project, is assessed either by coursework or a combination of coursework and a written examination.
- Each coursework element may consist of multiple items of assessment. The pass mark for any element of assessment is 40%.
- Students are required to have a portable computer for assessment.
Final Project: The summative assessment for the Final Project consists of both coursework and a written examination, weighted in the ratio 80:20. The written examination consists of questions relating to the project.

Attendance requirement:
- Local: 75%
- International (inclusive of Dependent Pass/Long-term Visit Pass holders): 90%

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Requirements to Graduate

The award of the Graduate Diploma requires successful completion of all modules and final project.

Grading Scheme:
- 70-100: First Class Honours
- 60-69: Second Upper Class Honours
- 50-59: Second Lower Class Honours
- 40-49: Third Class Honours
- 0-39: Fail
A student who does not qualify for honours may be awarded a Graduate Certificate relating to the specialism of their Graduate Diploma as an exit award.
Graduates may participate in the presentation ceremony on SIM campus in April or the University of London (UK) in March.

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Modules

Students are will be expected to enroll and complete the following in the course of their study:

Three core modules
Three compulsory modules
One Final Project

CM2030 Graphics programming
CM3025 Virtual reality*
CM3045 3D graphics and animation*

CM3030 Games development*
CM3050 Mobile development*
CM3055 Interaction design

PLUS a compulsory project:

CM3070 Final project

Hardware and Software requirements

Module	Requirements
CM1015 Computational Mathematics	A scientific calculator or equivalent
CM3050 Mobile Development	Access to an Android or Apple smart phone that can be connected to a computer using a USB cable
CM3030 Games Development	Students will need a computer that matches the specifications for Unity 3D ()
CM3045 3D Graphics and Animation	Students will need a computer that matches the specifications for Unity 3D ()
CM3025 Virtual Reality	Students will need a computer that matches the specifications for Unity 3D () VR Head Mounted Display with the ability to be used in developer mode. Any VR headset as long as it is compatible with Unity 3D.
CM3040 Physical Computing and the Internet of Things	An Arduino Starter kit or similar () Optional: A small kit to make electronics at home (tweezers, cutters, cutting mat, protective glasses) A multimeter

*Note: Students should ensure they have access to the listed hardware (i.e. an Arduino kit or similar) and have the ability to install the listed software on their computer before registering for these modules. Students are responsible for budgeting for the above requirements where relevant.

View a sample timetable (PDF 16.9 KB)

Admission Criteria

Accepted Entry Qualifications

An acceptable Bachelor's degree;
An acceptable Master's degree (or any other appropriately accredited Level 7 award) provided this is at least 1 year full time in duration.

Plus:

GCSE Mathematics (Grade A - B) or equivalent

Equivalent International Qualifications

For information on international qualifications, refer to SIM’s International Student Prospectus.

Other Requirements

English Language Requirements

Demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to the programmes.

UOL accepts a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. Those without evidence may be considered on a case-by-case basis by UOL.

Fees & Financial Aid

All fees listed are inclusive of 9% GST. Fees do not include textbooks, hardware and software requirements for selected modules as listed under Modules. These estimated fees are based on:

SIM Programme Fees - Payable at the start of each semester and is calculated on a per module basis.
UOL Programme Fees - Payable in £ per semester and is calculated on a per module basis.
Exam Admin Fee - Payable in S$ per semester to the Examinations Authority and is calculated on a per module basis, for the courses which have exams. For physical examinations, the Exams Authority will also collect an admin fee (per paper). This admin fee is waived in the event exams are held online.

View all payment modes

Programme Fees

Estimated Overall Programme Fees

Graduate Diploma
(6 modules + 1 Final Project for 1 year)

Semester 1: S$7,440
Semester 2: S$7,330

Total programme fee: S$14,770

Breakdown of Estimated Overall Fees

Payable to SIM	6 modules + 1 Final Project: S$7,848
Payable to University of London (UOL)	UOL Application Fee (One-Time Payment): £65.40 UOL Programme Fee (Band B country, 6 modules + 1 Final Project): £3,958.88 Inspera Assessment Fee (Per paper): £12 Exam admin fee (Per paper): S$203

Additional UOL and SIM fees apply for those who repeat/resit the coursework/exam and also for those who extend their registration with the University.

*The fees above are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax.
While SIM fees do not fluctuate during a student's study period, the other fees to UOL are likely to increase each year.

Estimated Overall Programme Fees

Graduate Diploma
(6 modules + 1 Final Project for 1 year)

Semester 1: S$7,895
Semester 2: S$7,790

Total programme fee: S$15,685

Breakdown of Estimated Overall Fees

Payable to SIM	6 modules + 1 Final Project: S$8,763.60
Payable to University of London (UOL)	UOL Application Fee (One-Time Payment): £65.40 UOL Programme Fee (Band B country, 6 modules + 1 Final Project): £3,958.88 Inspera Assessment Fee (Per paper): £12 Exam admin fee (Per paper): S$203

Additional UOL and SIM fees apply for those who repeat/resit the coursework/exam and also for those who extend their registration with the University.

*The fees above are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax.
While SIM fees do not fluctuate during a student's study period, the other fees to UOL are likely to increase each year.

Mandatory Fees

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST.

Student Development Fee

Applicable to all students embarking on a full-time Diploma or Undergraduate programme at SIM. This fee goes towards activities that will help in students’ personal growth and equip them with functional skills that enhance their employability.

Payable with the programme fees’ first instalment.

S$512.30

International Student Induction Fee

A one-time fee payable by new full-time international students. This fee covers pre-arrival and arrival support, including activities to enhance the international student learning experience.

As applicable, payable with the programme fee's first instalment.

S$436.00

Application Fee

Payable for each application form that is submitted. Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee will be refunded fully only if the intake does not commence. Unpaid applications will not be processed.

Local applicants: S$109.00

International applicants: S$545.00 (not inclusive of Student’s Pass application)

Scholarships & Bursaries

SIM GE Bursary

The SIM GE Bursary aims to provide financial assistance to needy students studying at SIM GE. It offers monetary assistance of up to $2,000 and is tenable for one year of study.

Learn more

SIM GE Bursary

SIM GE Scholarship

The SIM GE Scholarship is given to students with exemplary academic results or achievements in sports and arts. It is applicable to �� citizens, permanent residents and international students.

Learn more

SIM GE Scholarship

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