Working at the cutting-edge of creative technology, the University of Bolton has always been at the forefront of all the dynamic subjects under this discipline. The School of Creative Technologies was one of the first in the UK to offer dedicated courses such as Film FX, computing, software engineering, and games. Our innovative courses are designed by experienced teaching staff that have strong professional links with the best in the industry, preparing you to take your place in this blockbuster economic sector.

Make Up Demonstration within the School of Creative Technologies

We believe in providing the highest-quality teaching to our students, which is why we are consistently ranked within the top ten universities in the UK for teaching quality; our most recent award was number one in the North West by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. Our resourceful teaching staff will not only provide academic support but also help you with a range of additional opportunities such as work placements and live projects. Our multi-million-pound facilities make our School of Creative Technologies stand out, as they are extremely beneficial in getting you industry-ready.

As a creative technologies student at the University of Bolton, you will have access to:

Fully-equipped games and visual effects labs
Computing and networking suites
Industry-standard hardware and software
Well-appointed teaching and seminar rooms
Casting and mould making spaces
Dedicated model making and make-up facilities

Depending on your subject area, you can choose to work in The Centre for Film FX, including our state-of-the-art make-up effects studios, where industry specialists will teach you how to transform actors using prosthetics, wigs, costume and props in purpose-built teaching and studio spaces. Or you could study in the Centre for Games Development, which boasts games studio-style team areas, dedicated VR development space and a digital art studio furnished with Cintiq drawing tablets to help develop your skills. If you are interested in computing then our Centre for Applied Computer Science boasts a dedicated networks and security lab, affiliated to both Cisco and Red Hat, as well as software engineering and computing labs and project studio spaces.

Thanks to our dedication towards improving the university experience for our students, we have been ranked number one for student satisfaction in Greater Manchester for the fourth year running by The Complete University Guide 2023. The School of Creative Technologies has important links to blue-chip software developers, AAA games studios, award-winning Film FX studios and BAFTA-nominated designers in the UK, Europe and beyond. These relationships enable us to organise high-profile guest lectures for you, some of our most recent ones have involved:

Nick Dudman, award-winning makeup effects artist, prosthetics designer and practical creature effects producer whose credits include The Empire Strikes Back, the Harry Potter Franchise, and Batman.
Jonathan Reilly, Senior Creature Character Artist for Academy Award-winning studio DNEG.
Hal Sandbach, Head of Design at work-for-hire software development company d3t.
Ben Ward, founder of independent games company Supergonk and co-founder of share games working space Rocketdesk.

An example of our commitment to industry collaboration includes our relationship with Neill Gorton, world-renowned prosthetics and make-up artist, and CEO of Millennium FX and Gorton Studios. Neill was named a Visiting Professor of the University of Bolton in 2013 and regularly attends campus to share his BAFTA-winning expertise with our SFX students. At the School of Creative Technologies you can study any of the following subject areas:

Computing
Games
Film FX

The University works closely with leading creative businesses, providing work experience, placements and interactions, to give our students a competitive edge in their dream career in creative technologies.

Subject areas

Computing

Games

Film FX

School of Creative Technologies

The School of Creative Technologies brings together Film FX, Computing, Software Engineering, and Games. Working at the cutting-edge of the UK’s fastest growing sector, we’ve always been at the forefront of these exciting fields. In fact, the University of Bolton was one of the first UK universities to offer dedicated courses in Games and Film FX. Our teaching staff have strong professional backgrounds, and use this experience to develop industry-ready courses, supported by a huge range of additional opportunities such as work placements, live projects, and a programme of high-profile guest speakers. With links to blue-chip software developers, AAA games studios, award-winning Film FX studios and BAFTA-nominated designers in the UK, Europe and beyond, we are dedicated to offering industry-focused courses that prepare graduates to take their place in this blockbuster economic sector.

Events

Launch of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CfAM)

12 May 25

Nursing Open Evening

14 May 25

Getting into law

14 May 25

Get into Teaching at The University of Bolton

15 May 25

Getting into law

27 May 25

Webinar Invitation: Mind the (Bias) Gap: Ethical AI for Inclusive Teaching

28 May 25

Getting into law

11 Jun 25

Get into Teaching at The University of Bolton

14 Jun 25

Get into Teaching at The University of Bolton

10 Jul 25

AI-Gen Global Conference

04 Aug 25

Testimonials

Neil Gorton

Millennium FX |

"The Special Effects for Film and TV degree course is second to none. More and more I’m seeing Bolton graduates securing jobs in the film and television industries and that’s entirely down to the quality of the education, the facilities and the guidance they get from Bolton."

Arthur Parsons

Head of Design at TT Games and LEGO Video Games Designer |

"The incredible new game development facilities at the University of Bolton combined with the hugely talented and experienced teaching staff really should make Bolton an essential choice for anyone aspiring to study video game development."

Simon Wiggins

Head of School of Creative Technologies |

"With excellent industry links, courses developed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitude to succeed. The School of Creative Technologies offers you the opportunity to become part of an exciting growing area of the creative industries sector."

Gareth Weston

Computing | 2016

"As a mature student, leaving my job to pursue a new career path was a big step but the university made me feel at home, helped to develop my technical and academic skills and equipped me with the graduate attributes to fulfil my dreams. I now work as a Drupal developer for CTI Digital."