Recent advances in computer graphics, sensors and screen technology give us unprecedented possibilities to completely immerse humans in virtual environments or augment real environments. VR/AR constitute a completely new computing paradigm finding its way into applications for industry, health care, education, entertainment etc. The Master’s Programme in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality aims at educating qualified professionals who can design, implement and evaluate VR/AR applications while also considering the ethical, cultural, and social implications of such technology.

Programme structure

Courses in e.g. computer graphics, image analysis, interaction design and VR/AR are blended into a unified learning experience that covers the whole range from enabling technologies to the final user experience of VR/AR applications.The core of the programme is the assumption that VR/AR technology is best learned when students fuse theoretical knowledge and technical skills with design thinking. Active experimentation is a fundamental pillar of the master's programme, with laboratory work and project assignments in Lund University's top tier laboratories. Examples of concrete content in the Master's programme include:

• Computer graphics and its implications for VR/AR applications
• Image analysis and its applications in VR/AR tracking
• 3D interaction in VR/AR applications
• User-centred design methodology for VR/AR development

Local and global companies are strongly committed to contributing to the Master's programme in various ways. This creates huge opportunities for project assignments and master degree projects, solving real world problems by applying VR/AR technology in a creative and innovative manner. 

Programme modules/courses

The programme is carefully tailored and contains mainly mandatory courses.

Semester 1: Image Analysis  (7.5 credits), Computer Graphics (7.5), Interaction Design (7.5), High Performance Computer Graphics (7.5)

Semester 2: Virtual Reality in Theory and Practice (7.5), Computer Vision (7.5), Theoretical Perspectives in Interaction Design (7.5), Universal Design, Theory and Project (7.5)

Semester 3: Augmented Reality Interaction (7.5), Extended Reality, continuation course (7.5), Project Course (7.5) and one of the two mandatory-electives; Usability Evaluation (7.5) or Modelling and Learning From Data (7.5).

Semester 4: Master Degree Project (30)

More information on each course at the Faculty of Engineering website 

Career prospects

Graduates of the Master’s Programme in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality will be extremely attractive for industry in the near future. Large tech companies see VR/AR as the next natural step in computing. At the forefront of development is Meta, former Facebook, with its vision of  “the Metaverse”, a network of virtual worlds focused on social connection, believed by many to be the future of the Internet.
There is a strong development towards small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) specialised in VR/AR technology based on a quickly growing demand for such solutions from traditional manufacturing companies as Volkswagen Group, TetraPak and Atlas Copco. Local examples of SMEs with strong VR/AR focus are OneReality, Warpin Media, Devoteam Creative Tech and Virtuell Design.
The VR/AR research field is growing quickly, providing excellent opportunities for an academic career. The number of doctoral student positions is increasing all over the world and the Master’s programme provides qualifications for research studies at PhD level.