MS in Extended Realities

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall band score of  6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
• PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
• DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.

Northeastern University in Boston offers a range of scholarship opportunities for international students to help alleviate the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships are designed to support academically talented students from around the world, promoting diversity and fostering an inclusive campus environment.

Merit-Based Scholarships: Northeastern University provides merit-based scholarships to international students based on academic excellence and achievements. These scholarships are awarded during the admissions process and are highly competitive. The amount and criteria for these scholarships may vary, but they aim to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership potential, and a strong their chosen field of study.

Northeastern International Scholars Program: This prestigious program offers scholarships to outstanding international students who exhibit leadership, academic excellence, and a desire to contribute to the global community. The Northeastern International Scholars Program provides both financial support and opportunities for personal growth through networking events, leadership training, and involvement in community service initiatives.

Need-Based Financial Aid: Although Northeastern University does not offer need-based financial aid to international students, there are still many merit-based scholarships available that can significantly reduce tuition costs. However, international students are encouraged to seek external scholarships or funding from their home country to help cover the remaining costs.

External Scholarships and Funding: In addition to institutional scholarships, international students at Northeastern University can explore a variety of external scholarship opportunities from governments, foundations, and organizations in their home countries. Many international students receive funding from these sources to support their education at Northeastern.

Graduates of the MS in Extended Realities program from Northeastern University are well-equipped to pursue a range of exciting and high-demand career opportunities in the growing field of immersive technologies. With expertise in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), they can work across various industries, including entertainment, healthcare, gaming, education, and engineering. These professionals are in demand as companies increasingly look for innovative solutions that incorporate XR technologies to enhance user experiences, optimize training, and provide new forms of entertainment.

XR Developer/Engineer: One of the primary career paths for graduates is becoming an XR Developer or Engineer, where they are responsible for developing immersive experiences using VR, AR, or MR. These professionals use programming languages, development tools, and software frameworks to build interactive, user-centered applications. They might work on everything from gaming applications to training simulators or virtual collaboration tools, depending on their area of expertise.

Immersive Media Designer: Immersive Media Designers focus on creating engaging XR environments, blending design, technology, and storytelling to craft unforgettable user experiences. These designers work across industries such as entertainment, advertising, and education to create dynamic content for virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality platforms. Their work can range from designing virtual worlds to creating interactive storytelling experiences that utilize cutting-edge technologies.

XR Interaction Designer: XR Interaction Designers are responsible for optimizing how users interact with XR applications. They focus on designing intuitive and immersive interfaces, ensuring seamless and natural interactions within virtual and augmented spaces. Their goal is to enhance user engagement by creating user-friendly navigation, controls, and feedback mechanisms within XR environments.

Game Designer/Developer: With the growing influence of VR and AR in gaming, graduates of the MS in Extended Realities program can pursue careers as Game Designers or Developers. In this role, they design and build immersive virtual worlds, characters, and gameplay mechanics for VR and AR-based games. Their work can span across different types of interactive media, including video games, simulations, and virtual entertainment experiences.

Virtual Reality Specialist: Virtual Reality Specialists focus specifically on developing VR experiences, including games, training simulations, educational programs, and therapeutic applications. They utilize VR hardware and software tools to design and create environments that are fully immersive, catering to industries such as healthcare, education, and entertainment.

Augmented Reality Specialist: As an Augmented Reality Specialist, graduates work on developing AR applications that overlay digital content onto the physical world. They can design AR experiences for mobile devices, smart glasses, or other AR-enabled platforms, and their work can be applied to fields like retail, marketing, education, and healthcare. These specialists help create new ways for users to interact with their environment through innovative AR technologies.

Product Designer for Immersive Technologies: Immersive technology product designers specialize in creating hardware and software products that enhance XR experiences. This role can involve designing user interfaces, creating physical devices such as VR headsets, and ensuring that the overall product delivers a seamless user experience. These professionals typically work closely with engineers and developers to bring XR products from concept to production.

XR Project Manager: Graduates of the MS in Extended Realities program can also pursue roles as Project Managers, where they oversee the planning, development, and implementation of XR projects. They are responsible for managing timelines, budgets, and resources while ensuring that the project meets its goals. This role requires strong leadership skills and an in-depth understanding of XR technologies to guide interdisciplinary teams.

Simulation and Training Specialist: XR technologies are increasingly used in simulation and training, especially in industries like healthcare, defense, and aviation. Graduates with expertise in XR can work as Simulation and Training Specialists, developing immersive training programs that allow users to practice skills and gain experience in virtual environments. These applications are crucial for improving safety and efficiency in high-risk industries.

Entrepreneur or Consultant in XR: With their knowledge of immersive technologies, some graduates may opt to start their own businesses or work as consultants, helping organizations integrate XR technologies into their operations. They may assist companies in using VR, AR, or MR for product development, customer engagement, or employee training. As consultants, they provide expertise to help organizations innovate and create new opportunities through XR.