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.
Project Title: An affordable device for monitoring noise levels in home studio environments to warn users of duration-based hearing damage.
Purpose: As a drummer and someone who regularly practises in home studio environments, I quickly became aware of how easily you can be exposed to loud sounds for long periods. Many people only think about hearing damage in terms of volume, but in fact, long durations of noises that aren’t excessively loud can be just as dangerous. I wanted to build a simple and affordable device that could help raise awareness of this overlooked danger and help people protect their hearing.
Fig.: Design
Implementation: The system consists of a small microphone and microcontroller, both housed in a compact 3D-printed case. The device connects to a desktop application built in Python. It monitors the noise in the room in real time, calculates how long it’s safe to be in that environment based on the current sound levels, and sends a warning when the average noise levels since starting the application reach a point where it becomes dangerous to continue listening.
Fig.: Case implementation
The GUI displays current noise levels, the average levels since starting, the time remaining before risk becomes high, and how long the app has been running. The system was built for under £20 and was tested with real users, receiving very positive feedback for its usability and clarity.
Fig.: Application
Conclusion: The final product was a reliable, accurate tool that helped users understand their sound environment better. It successfully raised awareness of long-term hearing risks and provided clear, real-time feedback. The project met all its core goals and achieved an excellent System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 89.5. It also received valuable suggestions from users, which could shape future improvements, such as wearable versions and mobile app integration.
Next steps: I’m hoping to move into a role that allows me to work with people and ideally in music or creative environments. I’m particularly interested in opportunities that combine practical problem-solving with collaboration. My degree in Software Engineering has given me a strong foundation in project planning, technical thinking, and building things that work in the real world – skills that will be useful in many industries, not just computing.
Advice for students: Your time and energy are limited, so it’s important to prioritise your studies and project work, especially in your final year. Balancing other commitments is part of life, but giving focused attention to your degree when it counts will really pay off. Also, don’t be afraid to use the tools available to you – make use of AI, but without breaching academic standards. Do use it to help guide research and explore ideas related to your studies, don’t use it as a copy-and-paste tool to blindly research information. AI isn’t going to go away, so it’s important you learn how to use it to assist your studies as early as possible in your degree. Good luck with your studies!
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For further information about Computing & Computer Science courses at UWTSD, please click here.
Project Title: Women in STEM Study Buddy – A Mobile Application for Academic Networking
Fig.: FemSTEMConnect
Project introduction: The motivation behind this project was to address the under-representation and isolation that many women in STEM fields experience during their academic journey. I wanted to create a platform that would allow female students to connect, support one another, and collaborate through shared academic interests. The project reflects both my technical interests and my desire to contribute to inclusion and equity in higher education.
Overview of the Practical implementation: The application was developed in Android Development Studiousing the Kotlinprogramming language, with FirebaseBackend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform providing services for authentication, data storage, and real-time messaging.
Fig.: Kotlin | Android Studio | Firebase
Key features include:
Email link login (no passwords required)
Personalised academic profiles
Study partner matching using course and location filters
A Messaging system for real-time communication.
Fig: Coding
The project was tested on both emulator and physical Android devices for performance and usability.
Here are some screenshots from the final app up and working
Fig.: Navigation screen
Fig.: Messaging inbox
Fig.: Home screen & News feed
Conclusion: The final product successfully met the core functional goals. Users can register, create a profile, search for study partners, and communicate within the app. Although some features like the community forum were postponed, the application is stable, secure, and ready for future expansion. It represents a strong foundation for a peer-support platform specifically tailored to women in STEM.
What Career and job role are you hoping to move Into after Graduation? I’m planning to progress onto a Master’s degree and then move into a software engineering role, ideally within a company focused on education technology or socially impactful work.
Top Tips for Students interested in completing a University Degree: Don’t procrastinate. Choose a project that is manageable not just exciting. It’s better to complete something simple and solid than to get stuck in something too complex to finish on your own. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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For further information on Computing 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.
Guardian University Guide: #1 in Wales and #20 in UK
We’re thrilled to announce that in the Guardian University Guide 2025, our Computing courses have ranked #1 in Wales 🏆 and #20 in the UK for Computer Science and Information Systems subject area.
This achievement reflects the dedication we bring to delivering hands-on, real-world learning experiences, alongside exceptional support that guides our students every step of the way. Our highly qualified, industry-experienced staff work tirelessly to ensure students are prepared for a future in tech with the practical skills and knowledge they need to excel.
A huge thank you to our outstanding students, dedicated staff, and supportive community for making this recognition possible.
Together, we’re shaping the future of tech in Wales and beyond! 🌍💻
For further information about Computing courses at UWTSD, 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.
The Applied Computing Team at UWTSD, had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Rob Deaves (below), a visiting Professor of Robotics Systems Architectures to deliver a Guest Lecture on Complex Autonomous Robotic Systems.
The talk covered many related areas and enabled listeners to enhance their knowledge and skills in the following topics:
* Robotic components in a mass market commercial robot; * Usefulness of visualisation tools; * Testing campaigns based on simulation, prototyping and trials; * Product and support systems; * Appreciation of what is required to take research to product.
“In recent years autonomous robots are starting to provide useful functions for society. Future developments will be really exciting allowing robotics to help address the UN sustainability goals!” – Dr Rob Deaves, RAEng Visiting Professor of Robotics Systems Architectures.
Dr. Rob Deaves, Guest Lecture at UWTSD Swansea, School of Applied Computing.
About: Dr Rob Deaves is a Dyson Robotics Architect from Imperial College London.
The Applied Computing Team would like to thank Dr. Deaves for taking the time to share his knowledge and experience with our staff and students. The lecture was organised by UWTSD Computing Lecturer Dr. Nitheesh Kaliyamurthy as part of the Emerging Trends module, a final year module on all Computing degree courses.
For more information about our courses please click-here.
The Applied Computing Team at UWTSD would like to thank Paul Harwood (Seasoned Tech Entrepreneur and Co-founder of Techhub Swansea) for delivering a series of Enterprise Masterclass lectures to our students. It has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn from one of the most experienced Tech Start-Up professionals in the region.
Paul shared his valuable knowledge experience insights and industry predictions during a series of 6 talks (listed below) covering areas including Value & Money, Wallets & Cryptocurrency, Success & failure factors, Understanding Markets, Adaptability and Resilience.
A brief description of each talk is listed below:
Talk 1: Money, Shares, Value, Deals What is money anyway? Why measuring value is important. What do shares mean? A condensed history of measuring value, from bartering to cheques, from shares to cryptocurrency. How to bake a deal the right way.
Talk 2: Founders and Investors. How many founders is good? Looking at how many founders is good? What do you need to be a good founder? What do investors want? What do founder deals typically look like? Who’s liable.
Talk 3: Why Companies Die. Why companies failed and why they will typically fail in the future. How to handle a company failure and what tell tale signs can you identify before it goes bad.
Talk 4: Products, Sales, Markets and Timing. Identifying product / market fit is a key skill for any founder. Selling your wares to the world is also a skill. You can learn both techniques quickly by listening.
Talk 5: Viable Businesses. Viable systems are made because they can adapt to their environment. If you can’t adapt, you won’t survive. Learn how to structure a startup without strangling it with admin.
Talk 6: Resilience. Resilience Being ‘strong’ is normally the stupid thing to do. Coping with change means being flexible and resilient. Learn the difference and how to cope well with adversity.
About Paul: Paul is a seasoned entrepreneur with experienced knowledge of BigData, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency and a passion for Building systems for a decentralised future. Originally from Swansea, Paul co-founded TechHub Swansea and has spent the last 17 years working on his own companies in Bristol and London. A successful Entrepreneur/Developer with product management and delivery expertise. Proven successes in building Tech products and communities. Highly experienced in product management/product strategy, system design, high availability and UX skills.
For more information about Paul and Techhub Swansea please click-here. For more information about Computing courses at UWTSD please click-here.
UWTSD Applied Computing Blog 