Immersive learning spaces at Birkbeck
At Birkbeck, you can use state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) workstations, create your own virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) content and borrow headsets and 360 cameras.
All of the spaces are located in Birkbeck's main Malet Street Building, next to the library and will open at the beginning of October 2025.
Immersive Learning Classroom
Our immersive learning classroom features 20 state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) workstations equipped with both tethered and untethered headsets. Each is designed to provide dynamic and collaborative experiences, allowing you to immerse yourself in virtual field trips, conduct realistic laboratory experiments, and participate in interactive simulations that bring abstract concepts to life.
Tethered headsets allow you to explore detailed simulations and intricate virtual environments whilst untethered headsets will provide greater mobility and flexibility, allowing you to move freely within the space as part of a group activity.
Immersive Learning IT Lab
Our collaborative workspace is equipped with 20 high-performance PCs, each designed to support immersive environment creation and conventional editing tasks. They have powerful processors, ample RAM and advanced graphics cards, ensuring smooth performance even with demanding applications which include Adobe Creative Cloud. Whether you're working on VR/AR content creation, video editing, or graphic design, these PCs provide the necessary computational power to handle complex tasks efficiently, for example, detailed modelling, rendering, and simulation.
From October 2025, the IT Lab will be freely accessible to all staff and students outside of class teaching sessions.
Immersive Learning Studio
The Immersive Learning Studio was built for you to create your own virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) content:
Motion Capture
Record the movements of objects or people and translate them into digital models. Motion capture (MoCap) allows for real-time tracking of user movements, creating fluid and responsive interactions
3D Scanning
Digitise real-world objects or environments to create highly detailed and accurate 3D models for use in VR/AR applications
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry involves using photographs (or other imagery) to obtain measurements and create representations of real-world objects or scene. This could be used to create ‘digital twins’ for game development
360 and binaural audio
Create immersive audio experiences for VR, game design and live performances using special microphones.
Immersive Learning Loan Facility
You will be able to borrow headsets, 360 cameras, and other production equipment to explore virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) independently from the Library Service Desk from October 2025.
Staff will be able to develop their own immersive learning content and students will be able to use the production equipment to complete diversified forms of assessment.