Open
Open technologies, knowledge and approaches wherever possible.
Practical education in immersive technology
Learn to create
immersive
experiences.
XR Academy offers expert-led learning in XR, VR, AR, MR, spatial computing and immersive media—for people who want to understand, create and professionally apply immersive technologies.
Creative practice. Technical skills. Real-world applications.
European perspectiveInternational learning
XR Extended Reality
Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term for technologies that change how we experience digital content and the world around us.
- VRVirtual Reality
- Places you inside a digital environment, usually through a headset.
- ARAugmented Reality
- Adds digital content to a view of the physical world.
- MRMixed Reality
- Often describes experiences in which digital elements relate to, or interact with, physical space.
The boundaries can overlap. At XR Academy, these approaches connect with spatial computing and immersive media: designing experiences through space, interaction, image and sound.
See how reality becomes extended
Move through the experience to see how a physical space becomes an interactive and shared XR environment.
Preparing the visual…
Drag to explore the five stages, or use the arrow keys to move one stage at a time. Home returns to Physical Space; End reaches Shared Multi-User XR.
Physical Space
The experience begins in the physical world.
Our approach to XR
XR is more than entertainment.
XR Academy is open, hardware-agnostic and designed across disciplines—from development and creative practice to education and culture. We use the broader concept of Location-Based Experience rather than limiting XR to Location-Based Entertainment: immersive technology for art, learning, creation, collaboration, cultural expression, research and professional practice.
Hardware-agnostic
Not tied to one headset, device or platform ecosystem.
Cross-disciplinary
Designed for developers, artists, creators, educators and professionals.
Knowledge into practice
What can you learn?
Explore the creative and technical sides of XR. These are current and developing learning areas; the published course will be identified in the catalogue.
01Learning area
XR foundations & spatial computing
Understand immersive experiences and the design decisions behind them.
- XR / VR fundamentals
- Spatial computing
- XR design
02Learning area
Development & production
Explore how immersive applications and interactive experiences are built.
- Unity
- Open-source XR tools
- Interactive media
- Immersive production
03Learning area
Storytelling & creative practice
Use space, narrative and interaction as creative materials.
- Immersive storytelling
- Spatial storytelling
- Creative XR
- Location-based XR
04Learning area
AI, ethics & emerging ideas
Examine new tools alongside the questions they raise for creative practice.
- AI + XR
- Ethics
- Philosophy of emerging technologies
Start with the programme information, then check the tools, prerequisites and learning outcomes for each course.
Explore CourseFind your perspective
Develop your
role in XR.
Whatever your background, you can benefit from the course. Basic Unity knowledge is required, but no prior experience with XR is necessary.
Developer
Learn how immersive applications and interactive experiences are technically created.
Artist / Creator
Explore XR as a medium for visual art, storytelling, performance, design and creative expression.
Student / Emerging Professional
Build foundational and practical XR knowledge, and develop skills relevant to entering the field.
Professional
Understand how immersive technologies can be applied in organisations, industries and professional contexts.
Educator / Institution
Explore how XR can be integrated into education, cultural programmes and professional training.
Different ways to engage
Learn independently, get individual support, or discover selected immersive programmes.
XR Academy
Learn independently
XR Academy provides free access to learning content, masterclasses and resources for people who want to develop their XR knowledge at their own pace.
- Practical XR knowledge
- A flexible entry point
- Designed for independent learners
Individual Coaching
Get personal guidance
For learners who want more direct support, individual coaching provides optional paid one-to-one guidance tailored to individual goals, projects and learning needs.
- Personalised feedback and project guidance
- Technical or creative support
- Portfolio or professional development, where relevant
IMMENSIVA
Join a selected immersive programme
Annual programme · Selected participants
Held once a year, IMMENSIVA brings together a selected group of artists, creators and participants for an intensive period of guided development, collaboration and exchange.
- Intensive guidance and direct interaction with experts
- Collaborative development and artistic exchange
- Community and ecosystem connection
Course outline
Your course, in
7 masterclasses.
Begin with location-based XR, develop your experience, and explore its social and collective possibilities.
Masterclass 01
Building Location-Based XR Experiences with STYLY
Explore how physical locations become the setting for XR experiences built with STYLY.
Explore this masterclassMasterclass 02
Advanced Design, Narrative & Demoing Your Experience with STYLY
Develop the design and narrative of a STYLY experience, and explore how to present it in a demo.
Masterclass 03
Social Impact, Collective Presence & Community Co-design
Explore social impact, shared presence and approaches to co-designing XR experiences with communities.
Masterclass 04
XR AI World-Building
Explore how AI can support immersive world-building, spatial design and XR creation.
Masterclass 05
Designing for Presence & Virtual Embodiment
Explore how presence, embodiment and interaction shape immersive XR experiences.
Masterclass 06
How to Navigate the Immersive Festivals’ Markets Circuit
Learn how XR projects are positioned, presented and connected across immersive festivals and markets.
Masterclass 07
XR Foundations & Spatial Storytelling
Build a foundation in XR and explore how stories can be designed for spatial environments.
People & practice
Learn from
XR practitioners.
The teaching programme is being developed around people with practical experience in immersive technology, creative industries, research and education.
Meet the tutors and mentors here as their profiles are confirmed.
XR Technology Evangelist & Engineer
Degly Pava
Styly
Cross-platform XR engineer working across spatial computing, immersive experiences and wearable technologies. He combines technical development with mentoring and developer education.
Practice areas
XR Development · Spatial Computing · Wearables · Developer Education
Filmmaker, XR Designer & Transmedia Activist
Sultan Sharrief
Arizona State University
Sultan works across film, immersive media and socially engaged technology, using XR as a tool for storytelling, research and community-based design. His practice combines virtual and augmented reality with media production, speculative design and social impact.
Practice areas
Immersive Storytelling · Social Impact XR · Transmedia · Speculative Design
Interdisciplinary Artist & XR Creator
Kris Pilcher
Espronceda
Kris works across mixed reality, immersive installation and experimental technology, exploring how emerging digital realities reshape perception, memory and our relationship with physical space. His practice spans XR, interactive media, spatial computing and artistic research.
Practice areas
Mixed Reality · Immersive Installation · Spatial Computing · Experimental Media
Researcher in Embodiment & Immersive Media
Marte Roel Lesur
BeAnotherLab
Marte explores how immersive technologies can reshape our perception of the body, identity and otherness. Working across cognitive neuroscience, experimental psychology, performance and XR, he investigates embodiment, disembodiment and new forms of self-reflection through immersive experience.
Practice areas
Embodiment · Body Perception · XR & Cognition · Interdisciplinary Research
Micro-credentials
Learn. Create.
Get recognised.
At the end of the course, you will complete an assessment. After successfully completing the course and its assessment, you will earn an XR Academy micro-credential.
Defined learning outcomes, structured learning and relevant assessment make the achievement clear. The aim is a portable record you can share, with a way for others to verify it.
The approach is being developed in line with European micro-credential concepts and modern digital credential standards. Issuing is not yet active; availability and requirements will be stated for each programme.
Explore certification & credentials
Who is behind the Academy
Part of a wider
immersive ecosystem.
XR Academy is connected to ESPRONCEDA / Asociación EncontrArte and the creative-technology context of IMMENSIVA.
Art, culture & innovation
The organisational context behind the Academy, connected to creative experimentation, emerging technologies and interdisciplinary projects.
Immersive practice
An initiative focused on immersive technologies, XR, digital culture and related creative and technological developments.
Main partner · XR software
STYLY is XR Academy’s main partner, providing the software for all XR applications.
Ecosystem partners
Education, industry & culture
Connected to
the XR ecosystem.
The Academy’s direction is to connect learning with the tools, expertise and applications shaping immersive practice.
Connections we’re building
- Technology & practiceTechnology providers, XR companies and professional networks.
- Education & cultureUniversities, educational institutions and cultural organisations.
- Programmes & exchangeIndustry events, collaborative programmes and knowledge sharing.
Start building
your XR skills.
FAQ
A few things
to know.
Questions about joining the course, learning independently and what comes next.
Is the main course free?
Yes. The main XR Academy course provides free access to learning content, masterclasses and resources. Individual coaching is a separate optional paid service.
Do I need prior knowledge of XR?
No prior XR knowledge is required, but basic Unity knowledge is recommended. The course is open to learners from different backgrounds, including creative, technical, educational and professional contexts.
Is each masterclass a separate course?
No. There is one main XR Academy course containing 7 masterclasses. The overview above shows all seven masterclasses.
How long is the course, and what equipment do I need?
The total duration, software and equipment requirements are still to be confirmed. Check the learning-format section for the latest course details.
Do I need individual coaching to complete the course?
No. Coaching is optional paid one-to-one support. It is not a required part of the free self-paced course.
Will I receive a credential?
A programme completion credential is the intended model. It is still in development; final assessment requirements, availability and issuing details will be confirmed.
Is IMMENSIVA part of the course?
IMMENSIVA is a separate annual immersive programme or event for selected participants. It is not a course upgrade, an on-demand service or a requirement for taking this course. Discover IMMENSIVA
How do I start?
Explore the course and select Start the free course to continue to Moodle. Already a learner? Use Learner Login to sign in to Moodle, or contact the Academy if you need help.