Investments in university-led facilities and studio partnerships throughout the UK have seen virtual production, real-time engines and hybrid pipelines move from the margins into mainstream curricula. But is higher education matching the skills demand from the industry? Michael Burns reports.
In late November 2025, Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) celebrated a successful collaboration with Sony, having officially opened a new virtual production studio used for both teaching and commercial work.
Equipped with 6.7-million-pixel LED Verona Panels and a Sony Venice camera, the new facility provides students with hands-on access to virtual production workflows, camera tracking and in-camera VFX. It sits alongside an existing Holosys 4D Volumetric Capture suite and a 10m x 4m 360-degree LED volume with immersive sound.
Chris Couzens, Sony UK Channel Manager for Virtual Production and Cine, said...
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