User Experience Design MSc (PGCert PGDip)

  • Overview

    A flexible course that allows you to shape your own learning path, this MSc has a wide end-career scope, ranging from a focus on usability or interfacing, through to general project management and consulting roles.

    The award was set-up for designers and software developers wishing to deepen their knowledge and practice in user-centred design and usability evaluation of software-enabled products. Course content has been designed for maximum relevancy to the marketplace.

    Upon completion, you'll be able to apply your knowledge and interaction design skills to novel interaction paradigms; make effective use of a broad range of design methods; obtain in-depth knowledge of developments in mobile, ubiquitous or wearable systems; and understand the commercial contexts in which interaction design takes place.

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 1 year

    Part-time: 2 years

  • Course content

    Course structure

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

    Areas of study

    Taught modules cover general subjects needed to understand the industry, whilst elective module options allow you to specialise your knowledge and skills development for maximum relevancy to your chosen career path.

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

    Syllabus

    - New Media Applications Development
    - Interactive Design and Evaluation Process
    - Interface and Information Design
    - Research Methods
    - Project Management
    - Independent portfolio project
    - Independent research project

    Options including:
    - Marketing for Interactive Technologies
    - Interactive Technologies Business Context
    - Intellectual Property Law
    - Web Development
    - Creative Design Lab
    Not all options may be offered each year

  • Entry requirements

    Typical entry requirements Help
    individual offers may vary

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IELTS 6.5 overall, 6.0 in writing.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Normally, a good honours degree in a relevant discipline, ie those including substantial elements of computing, psychology, information design or product design. For appropriate candidates without an honours degree, entry to the course will normally involve an interview.

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

  • Career opportunities

    Graduates have gone on to work as commercial interaction designers on both software and software-enabled physical products, as well as using this as a starting point for a research career in human-centred interaction design.

    Visit the careers centre website.

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

    To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

    Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    User Experience Design (MSc) (Full time)  [J4BH025]
    UK/EU (Full Time)4,500 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)9,450 GBP
    International (Full Time)13,500 GBP

  • Apply online


    You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.

    Entry requirements

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IELTS 6.5 overall, 6.0 in writing.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Normally, a good honours degree in a relevant discipline, ie those including substantial elements of computing, psychology, information design or product design. For appropriate candidates without an honours degree, entry to the course will normally involve an interview.