MSc in User Experience Design

Course details

This programme is a two-year part-time, one-stage, 90-credit programme that leads to one of two awards: an MSc in User Experience Design or an MA in User Experience Design.

The programme is designed to respond to the needs of industry for graduates with the required combination of knowledge, skills and competencies to work in the area of User Experience Design.

The programme is a result of collaboration between staff in the Dept. of Technology and Psychology and staff in the Department of Design and Visual Arts.

What is User Experience Design?

User Experience (UX) Design is a process of designing digital products that focuses on the maximising user satisfaction through user research, usability testing and iterative design. User satisfaction with a product primarily, but not exclusively, depends on their interaction with that product. Therefore, interaction design is an important aspect of UX design. However, UX design considers other aspects of a user’s experience, such as factors that influence the whether or not to use the product in the first instance, or the kind of external product support provided.

Aims and Learning Objectives

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

• Carry out user research using appropriate qualitative and quantitative user research methods;
• Iteratively design digital products using a variety of prototyping and wireframing tools and techniques;
• Carry out usability testing on digital products using appropriate testing tools, techniques and methodologies;
• Work in multi-disciplinary teams, assuming management, leadership and/or strategic roles when required;
• Communicate and defend the results of your work, making sound professional recommendations and judgments.

What modules will I study?

• Fundamentals of UX Design
• Design Thinking
• User Research and Usability
• Interaction Design
• Psychology and Usability
• UX and Visual Design
• Research Proposal
• UX Design Issues
• MA Research Project or MSc Research Project

How will I be assessed?

• During the first year of the programme, you will complete a number of practical projects and written assignments. At the end of the first year, students will start working on a research project proposal, which needs to be submitted for approval at the beginning of the second year. Once this proposal is approved, the research project will commence which will be submitted at the end of the second year.

What is the difference between the MSc and MA awards?

• The difference between these two awards is based on the assessment of the second year research project. Students enrolled on the MSc will be expected to do more in-depth user research and user/usability testing. Students on the MA will be expected to do more innovative design.

What are the entry requirements?

• Entry requirements for the Masters include an undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree Level. Some prior experience with user experience design is required.
• Shortlisted candidates may be called for interview and/or requested to submit a portfolio of previous work in this area in order to determine the extent of their prior experience.