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User Experience Design MSc

As more and more devices now have interactive capability, there is a growing need for designers who can harness these new possibilities, creating interactive products that are engaging to use.

The MSc in User Experience Design equips students with the skills required to design, create and manage interactive and multimedia content across different digital platforms.

Flexible study

The course is flexible and can be studied full-time or part-time. The taught part of the course consists of a number of individual core and optional modules.

For full-time students the academic year is divided into three 15-week semesters. The taught element of the course is delivered during the first two semesters. Modules involve approximately 20 per cent classroom teaching and 80 per cent individual or group work. A full-time student is expected to put in 40 hours effort per week. The major project occupies the third semester.

Part-time students study alongside full-timers with a minimum attendance of one half day per week (depending on the number of modules taken).

At the end of the taught element there is the possibility of a placement with a digital media company for the major project module. This puts real experience on your CV as you consolidate your expertise.

Modules can be taken towards an award or as single modules for professional development.

The core modules for students studying MSc User Experience Design are:

    New media applications development
    Develop an informed and critical approach to the design and development of multimedia applications.

    Interaction Design & Evaluation
    Provides a solid foundation in user-centred interaction design.

    Interface & Information Design
    Develops interface design skills.

    Project Management
    Provides the theoretical underpinnings, practical skills and confidence to manage an interactive project successfully.

    Research Methods
    Assess quality and validity in research in digital media, and apply in practical research activities.

    Major Project (MSc students only)
    Extend and unify understanding of the subject through an independent piece of advanced research or the development of an interactive artefact.
    May be carried out in an external organisation during the last 3 months of the course.

The elective module options include evaluation of the usability of interactive artefacts, studies into the principles behind the implementation and realisation of commercial gains from innovation, and independent research and portfolio projects.

The following awards can be taken in this subject:

  • Master of Science (MSc) (180 credits)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) (120 credits)
  • Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) (60 credits)
Further information
This masters course is part of the Postgraduate Programme in Interactive Technologies.

Usability evaluation suite