We’re thrilled to announce that in the Guardian University Guide 2026, our courses have ranked 1st in Wales & 9th in the UK for Animation & Games Design and 1st in Wales & 11th in the UK for Computer Science and Information Systems. 🎉🎊
This achievement reflects our dedication to delivering hands-on, real-world industry relevant learning experiences, with exceptional student support. Our highly qualified, industry-experienced staff work hard to ensure students are prepared for a successful future with the practical knowledge & employability skills they need to excel.
A huge thank you to our students, staff, and supportive community for making this recognition possible. 🙏👍
For information about our courses, please click-here.
What truly inspires me about animation and the broader field of digital arts is the unlimited creative potential it offers. I have a genuine passion for games, animation, VFX, and CGI, particularly the captivating effects seen in Marvel movies. The ability to bring ideas to life through digital mediums and create immersive experiences that can transport viewers into different worlds is incredibly motivating.
Video below: BA Game Design animation by Hamza Qasim
Beyond the creative aspects, I’m inspired by how this field connects to my other interests, especially automotive design. The intersection of technical precision and artistic vision in CGI, particularly in automotive visualisation, represents the perfect blend of my passions. What makes this journey even more inspiring is the supportive environment at UWTSD, where I feel encouraged to explore emerging technologies and push the boundaries of what’s possible in animation and interactive media.
Video below: Portfolio from BA Games Design Yr.3 by Hamza Qasim
Throughout my Masters program, I’ve been developing a diverse range of technical and creative skills. On the technical side, I’ve advanced my proficiency in 3D modelling, animation, texturing, and rendering using various versions of Blender (4.0, 4.2, and 4.4). I’ve also expanded into video editing and composition using Wondershare Filmora 13, along with comprehensive sound design capabilities.
Video below: Cans by Hamza Qasim
Video below: Koi by Hamza Qasim
Recently, I’ve ventured into VR development using Unreal Engine 5.5, where I’ve learned to create custom blueprints for asset switching, material switching, and targeted interactions. One of my proudest achievements has been developing a real-time sun movement system that enhances environmental immersion in VR experiences.
Video below: Material Switching & Sun Movement by Hamza Qasim
Beyond technical skills, I’ve been developing crucial soft skills through modules like Leadership, Management and Ethics. This module, though different from animation, has taught me about various leadership styles, management approaches, and proper research methodologies, skills that are invaluable for any creative professional.
Favourite Technology: My current favourite tool is definitely Blender. While we also learn Maya at University, I’ve found that the modelling and animation skills transfer seamlessly to Blender, and it offers several advantages that make it exceptional for independent learning and creative work. What I love most about Blender is its comprehensive nature, I can model, sculpt, texture, animate, composite, and render all within a single application.
The fact that it’s completely free removes financial barriers to learning, and the extensive community support through YouTube tutorials and forums means that virtually any problem I encounter has likely been solved by someone else. The accessibility and community aspect of Blender have been game-changing for my learning process. While Maya still has some advantages, particularly for UV unwrapping, the plugins available for Blender help bridge most gaps, making it an incredibly versatile tool for independent artists and students.
Video below: Liminal Spaces using Advanced Techniques by Hamza Qasim
After you Graduate? My career aspiration is to work as a CGI Artist at an automotive company, with Mercedes-Benz being my preferred destination. This goal is informed by my previous experience working there before enrolling at UWTSD, which gave me valuable insight into the industry and confirmed my passion for automotive visualisation.
Video below: Car in motion by Hamza Qasim
The automotive industry’s increasing reliance on high-quality CGI for marketing, design visualisation, and virtual showrooms aligns perfectly with my skills in 3D modelling, animation, and rendering. My experience with both traditional animation techniques and emerging technologies like VR positions me well for the evolving demands of automotive CGI, where immersive experiences are becoming increasingly important.
Video below: Cloth Reveal by Hamza Qasim
Advice for students? My most important advice is simple but crucial: do something that you truly enjoy. Don’t choose a course based on others’ expectations or perceived prestige, choose it for yourself and your genuine interests.
I love what I study because it encompasses everything I’m passionate about: games, animation, VFX, CGI, and automotive design. This genuine enthusiasm makes the work feel less like a chore and more like an exciting challenge. When you’re passionate about your subject, you naturally strive for excellence and find yourself more resilient when facing difficulties.
Fig.: Digital Arts image
Another key lesson I’ve learned is about perfectionism and deadlines. As an artist, I’ll always strive for perfection, but I’ve come to understand that sometimes you need to aim for the best work possible within tight deadlines rather than perfect work that never gets completed. It’s better to submit a strong, complete project than to miss deadlines chasing an impossible ideal of perfection. The balance between ambition and pragmatism is essential for success in any creative field.
Experience at UWTSD? My experience at UWTSD has been absolutely transformative and couldn’t have been better. The support system here is extraordinary, from Richard Morgan in the Games Design department, who has been my rock throughout my three-year BA journey, to lecturers like Nabeel Masih, Adam Head, Philip Organ, and James Williams, who have consistently encouraged my growth and exploration of emerging technologies. The university’s holistic approach to student support extends beyond academics. The well-being department has been incredibly supportive during challenging times with my mental health, and the entire campus environment, from reception and canteen staff to lecturers, creates an atmosphere that feels genuinely supportive and nurturing.
I’ve had numerous opportunities for leadership and community involvement, serving as Student Representative for both my BA and MA courses and participating in the UWTSD Esports Committee, where we organised events and created lasting memories. The university even pushed me toward pursuing my Masters degree when I wasn’t initially planning to continue, a decision that has proven invaluable. The collaborative environment has allowed me to form lasting friendships with both staff and students, and I’ve been able to contribute through graphic design work for various university projects. If I could change anything about my university experience, it would be nothing, every aspect has been beneficial and has contributed to my growth as both a person and a professional.
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For further information about Computer Games & Animation courses at UWTSD, please click here.
Additional Occupation: Redevelopment Business Director
Q. The organisation you work for?
The BT and EE group is the UK’s largest residential Internet Service Provider, in addition to being the UK’s largest mobile phone network provider.
cc-fig.: BT EE
Additionally, I am the director of my own company, focusing on the redevelopment of properties and converting them into environmentally conscious, sustainable student lets. (Known officially as HMOs, Houses of Multiple Occupation.)
Fig.: Pre-renovation
Fig.: Post-renovation
Q. Which skills learned at University are helpful to you in your job?
As part of my undergraduate degree, I undertook modules such as ‘Managing People and Change’ and ‘Usability Engineering’. These modules provided me with real-world insight into how to lead and manage teams of individuals in my professional career. Additionally, usability engineering directly aided me in developing contemporary business plans and product/marketing strategies.
Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?
Money.. Jokes aside, there is something incredibly satisfying in helping others achieve heights they once thought impossible. Turning low-confidence, underperforming team members into smiling, highly productive employees helps both the individual and the wider business achieve the goals and targets set before them.
The same satisfaction is directly correlated to the real-estate projects, as turning unloved, dilapidated properties into homes for multiple students allows me not only to see a project develop from its infancy until its final stage, but it also provides high-quality, lower-cost accommodation for individuals who are trying to achieve more for themselves.
Q. What opportunities has University opened up and supported you in pursuing?
Upon my graduation, the university kindly offered me the opportunity to pursue further study, such as PHD Doctoral support, and whilst at this stage I have not taken up this offer, the fact that this is available for high-achieving graduates illustrates how UWTSD is willing to invest and support in home-grown talent.
In addition, the network I built during my time at the university has proved invaluable, with friends who have become Mortgage Brokers (aided in real estate) and Openreach Engineers (Helped in my BT teams roll-out of FTTP in South Wales).
cc-fig.: BT Towers in Swansea (Wales) & London (England)
Q. Do you have any advice for students who would like to start a Career?
Do not be afraid to take risks. Through personal travel, I have visited nations where ‘real’ abject poverty is unavoidable. This reality check gave me a major perspective shift on the country we call home.
We are incredibly lucky to live in a country with such a strong safety net, so if you’re ambitious and have a business idea you really want to try, plan it out properly and then give it a go! Worst case scenario, you’re back where you started. Best case? Skies the limit.
Fig.: Myles Anderson – 12,000ft above Sea-level in Taiwan.
Q. A Quote that sums up your time at the University?
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
cc-fig: Yoda (Legendary Jedi Master)
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For more information about Computing courses at UWTSD click-here.
This week, Nagaraj Ravinuthala, a DevOps trainer at HCL Technologies Limited and a specialised trainer for WorldSkills UK Squad on Infrastructure Automation, delivered a Guest Lecture on Network Automation and CI/CD to our students.
The lecture began with basic yet powerful concepts of deployment and CI/CD, connecting the dots between writing code, integrating APIs, and automating the process of pushing updates live. The session emphasized simplicity and clarity, presenting CI/CD as a pipeline that automates code testing, integration, and deployment to production environments.
“Think of CI/CD as a conveyor belt for your code,” explained Nagaraj. “You write it, test it, and deploy it—all in a streamlined process that ensures faster delivery and better reliability, which are essential in modern network automation workflows.”
Students were introduced to tools and techniques aligned with Cisco’s CCNA DevNet, providing a glimpse into industry-standard practices. To make deployment relatable, the lecturer drew parallels with the earlier lectures on Python and API during their Network Programmability Module where the students integrated the OpenWeather API creating and running a Python script, and explaining that deployment involves taking code that works locally and making it accessible to users.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where students enthusiastically asked about real-world applications of network automation and the career paths that mastery in CI/CD can unlock.
This guest lecture was an eye-opening experience for students, sparking curiosity and laying the foundation for further exploration in network automation. It was a step toward preparing them for the evolving demands of the industry.
We would like to thank Nagaraj Ravinuthala for taking time to speak and share valuable industry knowledge with our students.
For further information about our courses, please click-here.
Introduction/rationale: The motivation behind choosing the project stemmed from the growing need for more structured and standardized approaches to penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. With cyberattacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, organizations struggle to identify and remediate vulnerabilities efficiently.
TECH TERM: Penetration testing, often referred to as ‘pen testing‘, is a cybersecurity practice where ethical hackers simulate cyberattacks on a computer system, network, or web application to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious hackers. The main goals of penetration testing is to: 1. Identify security weaknesses 2. Assess the effectiveness of security measures 3. Improve overall security posture: By identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, organizations can strengthen their defenses against potential cyber threats.
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework provides a well-defined structure for understanding adversarial techniques and tactics, making it ideal for enhancing VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) methodologies. This project aimed to leverage MITRE’s capabilities to analyze risk, improve testing scope, and ensure that testing efforts are comprehensive and aligned with real-world threats.
Project overview: In this project, we integrated the MITRE ATT&CK Framework into the traditional VAPT methodology to refine the testing scope and increase effectiveness in detecting vulnerabilities. The steps involved included:
Defining the Scope: The project began by clearly defining the boundaries and goals of the penetration test. Using the MITRE Framework, specific attack vectors and techniques relevant to the organization’s environment were identified.
Conducting Vulnerability Scanning: Automated tools were used to perform initial vulnerability scans, identifying weak points that attackers might exploit.
Simulating Attacks Using MITRE Tactics: We designed attack scenarios based on the tactics and techniques outlined in MITRE ATT&CK, simulating adversarial behavior. This allowed us to target the actual risks that real attackers would exploit, rather than theoretical vulnerabilities.
Analyzing Results and Refining Scope: Post-attack analysis identified network gaps and weaknesses in current defenses. The scope of the testing was iteratively refined based on these findings.
Reporting and Remediation: Finally, comprehensive reports were generated, providing actionable insights for the security team, along with specific recommendations for closing vulnerabilities.
Visual Representation: A flow diagram illustrating the process of integrating MITRE with VAPT in Penetration Testing Stages, is located below:
Project outcome & conclusion: The integration of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework significantly enhanced the scope and depth of the VAPT process. By aligning testing activities with real-world adversarial tactics, the project was able to identify previously overlooked risks and vulnerabilities. The methodology provided a more focused, risk-based approach to penetration testing, ensuring that organizations could better prepare for and mitigate threats. The project demonstrated that using MITRE not only strengthens the identification of vulnerabilities but also offers a more comprehensive understanding of the adversarial techniques that could affect critical systems.
OpenVAS is a full-featured vulnerability scanning tool, that was used for this purposes of this project. An example output of vulnerability findings can be seen below:
Q. What Career and job role are you hoping to move into after graduation? After graduation, I am hoping to pursue a career in cybersecurity, with a specific focus on roles like:
Penetration Tester: Using tools and methodologies (such as MITRE ATT&CK) to identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s IT infrastructure.
Cybersecurity Analyst: Monitoring, analyzing, and defending against cybersecurity threats.
Security Consultant: Advising organizations on how to improve their security posture by implementing effective VAPT practices.
These roles align with my passion for understanding and mitigating cyber risks, particularly in offensive security and ethical hacking.
Q. Please share a top tip/advice for students who are interested in completing a University Degree? My top tip for students is to focus on practical applications of what you learn. Theoretical knowledge is important, but real growth happens when you apply it in real-world scenarios, whether through internships, projects, or labs. Hands-on experience not only solidifies your understanding but also makes you more marketable in the job market.
For further information about Computing courses at UWTSD, please click-here.
Q. What inspires you about Computing/Technology/Electronics? The fact that computing is logical based and not emotionally based, I know that if my program doesn’t work, I have done something wrong. And I know that if it works as I want it to work, then I know I have done it correctly.
Q. What is your current favorite piece of Technology/hardware/software/App? Currently, my favorite piece of software would be Opera GX, it is a web browser specifically made for Gamers, one of the features I love the most about it is the “Force dark pages”, which does exactly as it sounds, no matter what page or website you load into, the browser will force the page to dark mode and adjust the font accordingly.
Q. What technical and employability skills are you learning on your course? I have learned to create a GDD (Game Design Document), which in the future game industry, I would be required to create and understand GDDs to create a new game. I have also been learning the C coding language as a whole to further my knowledge of coding.
Q. How do you think Technology is and will change the world for the better? On 16th July 1969, the first man landed on the moon, and now on the 29th of September 2023, humanity has created artificial intelligence to start automating mundane tasks. I would say technology CAN change the world for the better.
Q. What Career/job role would you like to enter after you Graduate? Videogame developer/designer.
Q. Do you have any hints/tips/advice for students who would like to start a University course? Your time at university is not just time to learn, it is also a time to connect with others and to start networking with others.
Q. In a few words describe your experience so far at UWTSD?. I have met so many great people on my course, not just my classmates, but my peers as well. It has been amazing, and I have already learned so many things while at UWTSD.
For further information about Computing courses at UWTSD, please click-here.
Q. What is your job title and role? As a Senior Software Developer, it is my role to engage in all phases of the software development lifecycle that include the analysis, design, development and support of nationally used clinical systems used within NHS Wales. It is also my role to mentor new staff with less clinical and technical knowledge and expertise.
Q. Could you briefly describe the organisation you work for? I work for the NHS Wales Informatics Service (NWIS); we supply over seventy software services to users across NHS Wales and to other parts of the United Kingdom. We support doctors, nurses and other clinical professionals, helping them provide specialist care to patients in hospitals, GP practices and across the community.
My team in particular are responsible for updating, maintaining and creating new modules for the Welsh Patient Administration System (WPAS). This system records details of patient’s hospital visits, including waiting list management, medical records, inpatient treatment, outpatient appointments and emergency visits.
Q. Which skills learned at University are helpful to you in your job? The most prevalent skill I gained whilst at University was the ability to write clean code and learn new languages as and when required. Other skills I learned that were helpful include:
• Project Management.
• Software Development Methodologies (Agile etc…)
• Usability Engineering & UX Design.
• Web Design.
• JavaScript, JQuery, JSON, Web Services (REST/SOAP), CSS/LESS.
• SQL.
Q. Do you have a typical day and how would you describe it? My typical day usually starts at 0800 with me planning the day ahead by checking emails and the Team Foundation Server (TFS) to ensure that all work tasks are on schedule and prioritised correctly. We hold daily SCRUM meetings to divide workloads amongst the team and to effectively help those struggling on certain tasks. Throughout the day, the team (Including myself) work on agreed tasks, but sometimes we have to fix bugs identified by users. This usually comes through from the helpdesk, though we do have to call users to gain an insight into the bug before creating a fix. Once a fix is completed and checked into Source Control, tests are conducted against the Systems Requirements Specification (SRS) document as well as a pre-defined Test Plan that the developer creates at the start of each task. The job at times can be unpredictable and requires focus and efficiency.
Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most? I enjoy problem solving, especially when it takes a long time to solve and it gives me great joy when a piece of work that I have developed is released LIVE with the knowledge that it is being used in hospitals across Wales.
Q. Do you have any advice for students who would like to start a Career? If you wish to start a career straight from University, then I suggest looking for jobs half way through your third year, this will give you scope as to what is out there. Also, look out for Graduate schemes in workplaces, these will give you the experience you need and can help you progress in that organisation. Also to Quote Vincent, van Gogh:
“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”
Think about this as you start each assignment and think what grade you wish to achieve at the end goal ‘Graduation’. Also, remember to ask questions.
Q. A Quote that sums up your time at the University?
“Teachers/Lecturers open doors, but you must walk through them yourself. “
I loved my time at university; it gave me perspective into my capabilities and motivated me more than I ever was in school. The lecturers were extremely helpful and I urge students to talk to them whenever they can.
For more information about Computing courses and opportunities at UWTSD please click here.
Q. What is your job title and role? I am a junior developer and my role is configuring the companies scripts to match all different client needs.
Q. Could you briefly describe the organisation you work for? The organisation I work for CloudIQ is a Tech Start-up company that was created around 2012, we want our clients to make the most of their e-commerce website by re-marketing old ones and marketing new ones.
Q. Which skills learned at University are helpful to you in your job? I feel the main ones would be business awareness – this was important on adapting to a different situations you may be faced with and being aware of how it’s impacting the business and environment you are in. Another skill that I feel is of high value to me is analytical thinking, this has helped me so much when being faced with a problem or when my code isn’t working, it is having to think of different ways and think out of the box to solve it.
Q. Do you have a typical day and how would you describe it? Every day is different, but will have a similar feel to it, mostly I am writing or editing code to meet the clients needs but I could also be investigating the code and working with the team to try and fix the issues we have.
Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most? I enjoy working with the people I work with, but more so I enjoy learning and overcoming the different situations where I may have struggled for a while. I get a real sense of achievement when something works after trying to figure it out for ages.
Q. Do you have any advice for students who would like to start a Career? Be patient and don’t be afraid of changes, if you are unhappy with your working life change it.
Q. A Quote that sums up your time at the University? Challenging but worth it – I’d do it all again!.
Many thanks to Business Technology Graduate Dan Hawkes (BT), Web Development Graduate Jordan Crocker (Senior Web Developer) and Computer Networks Graduate Simon Downes (PhD student) for visiting the University today to talk with our students about their University and Career journey to date, sharing valuable hints and tips for academic and career success. Inspirational invaluable and greatly appreciated. Thank you all.
What was your University course? I completed two University Degrees at Swansea’s School of Applied Computing. Both my Undergraduate degree and Postgraduate Masters were in the area of Computer Networks.
Could you briefly describe the organisation you work for?
I work for a company called Medical Connections Ltd; the company name may suggest a medical company however it is actually a software company. The company specialises in a software toolkit (API) which allow software developers with limited knowledge of DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) to cover the medical area of all types of scans ranging from ultrasound to MRI. DICOM is the standard way an image or video is created, transferred, shared, and even stored in a clinical environment. Because the standard is so vast, it makes sense for a ‘new’ DICOM developer to use a toolkit which would do all the standardisation for them, so they can concentrate on making a successful application.
Which skills learned at University are helpful to you in your job?
The University gave me the independence to break down tasks, and to troubleshoot in a manner which was thorough and precise. The University also gave me the knowledge to find and research in a critical way while also only looking for ‘relevant’ information and how to identify them quickly and efficiently so not to spend too much time on a ‘dead end’.
Do you have a typical day and how would you describe it?
I’ll usually start my day by looking through email filtering to ensure customer emails have not been falsely stopped. I will then look at the Virtual Hosts to ensure clean operation and if any errors have been found then to action them appropriately. After checking all internal systems, I will then inspect / improve / action external services such as the website, license services, and cloud services. I will then check my “to do” tasks and complete as necessary, which can range from improving developer’s machines (upgrading hardware) to changing infrastructure and servers.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?
Troubleshooting: I like finding a difficult or unusual problem and trying to find a solution or even sometimes a workaround. Sometimes the problems can test your researching skills, intuitions and/or even your patience, but always satisfying to find a solution that just works.
Do you have any advice for students who would like to start a Career?
Make sure that you enjoy your chosen field of study, that’s it’s not something that you only excel at, but you actually enjoy doing. For me technology has always excited and inspired me, and I’ve always loved troubleshooting and tinkering. Using things in a manner where they were not originally designed.
I would also recommend that whatever your chosen field is don’t stop at its completion, if you can complete your professional qualifications even at the lowest level as soon as possible this will give you an edge in the job market, but also give you a boost in confidence.
UWTSD Applied Computing Blog 