University of Gloucestershire is collaborating with leading virtual production platform Pixotope to provide students with access to the latest technological innovation and prepare them for careers in virtual production.

The University of Gloucestershire's School of Creative Industries, home to a state-of-the art Media Centre including film and TV studios, editing suites and a creative sound lab, has joined the innovative Pixotope Education Program.

This initiative, designed by Pixotope specifically for universities and other education institutions, includes access to virtual production software tools to create virtual studios, augmented reality and extended reality experiences.

Developed as a response to the talent shortage in virtual production, the Pixotope Education Program helps to ensure that courses meet rapidly evolving industry needs by linking educators with industry and enables students to develop skills using the latest virtual production tools and benefit from networking opportunities with employers.

Dr Tom Bradshaw, associate professor of employability at the University of Gloucestershire School of Creative Industries, said: "Our partnership with Pixotope is part of a major investment in our virtual production facilities.

"We are focused on teaching the latest story-telling techniques to our students, on courses ranging from Animation and Digital Media to Film Production and Journalism.

"Working with industry is something we do every day in the School of Creative Industries to ensure that our curricula are up to date, that our students have the latest industry insights, and that industry in turn has access to our bright and creative students.

"The jobs market in the creative industries does not stand still and nor do we. Through our education partnership with Pixotope, we are preparing our students to be in the best possible position for securing the best graduate jobs of the future."

Looking ahead, the University plans to work with Pixotope to develop a Master's programme in digital media as another pathway to building the virtual production talent pipeline

Carina Schoo, education program manager at Pixotope said: "We can't overstate our excitement about working with University of Gloucestershire's students and staff. University of Gloucestershire is an incredible partner for the Pixotope Education Program.

"Our relationship is founded on open communication about the needs of today's virtual production students and how we can work together to meet those needs."