User Experience Design MSc (PGCert PGDip)

Program Overview

---

The User Experience Design (UXD) MSc at Brighton campus equips students with advanced skills in human-computer interaction and interactive design. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience, graduates are prepared for careers as user-centered interaction designers in the digital media sector. The flexible program offers full-time, part-time, and placement options, fostering innovation and creativity in interactive design.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

---

Overview:

The User Experience Design (UXD) MSc is a flexible program designed for those seeking careers as user-centered interaction designers in the digital media sector. This course, offered at the Brighton campus, fosters innovation and creativity in interactive design. Students will gain knowledge of human-computer interaction and learn to design for a range of applications within interactive products.

---

Objectives:

• Equip graduates with advanced skills to work as commercial interaction designers in both software and software-enabled products.
• Prepare graduates for research careers in human-centered interaction design.

---

Description:

This program offers a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience, leading to the creation of an interactive product as the major project. The curriculum features:

• Research methods: This module equips students with the skills needed to plan, conduct, and evaluate research effectively.
• Interaction Design and Evaluation Process: This core element focuses on usability evaluation and effective interaction design in projects.
• Interface and Information Design: Students build on the user-centered interaction design process, developing their interface design skills and producing commercially viable designs.
• Design Thinking: Develop creative problem solving and design thinking through practice.
The flexible structure allows students to study full-time, part-time, or take an optional year-long placement with a digital media company, which complements the major project module.

---

Outline:

---

Course Content:

The UXD MSc involves five core modules and two chosen option modules:

---

Core modules:

• Major Project: Design and build an interactive product as a showcase of expertise.
• Research Methods: Develop professional research skills for planning, conducting, and evaluating research in the field.
• Interaction Design and Evaluation Process: Gain the knowledge to develop effective user interaction aspects of projects and reliably evaluate usability.
• Interface and Information Design: Develop interface design skills, producing work to a commercial design quality.
• Design Thinking: Learn the design process through research, understanding stakeholders, and creating innovative and user-centric solutions.

---

Option modules:

• Independent Portfolio Project: Create and develop innovative products to the prototype stage for your professional portfolio.
• Independent Research Project: Explore theories, methods, and technologies in your chosen field.
• Industrial Placement: Undertake a minimum 24 weeks of work experience as an MSc UXD professional (48 weeks for international students)

---

Assessment:

---

Assessment Methods:

• Major project: Design and develop an interactive product.
• Coursework assignments.
• Exams (depending on chosen option modules).

---

Assessment Criteria:

Assessments will focus on individual creativity, critical thinking, theoretical understanding, research skills, and the ability to design and build interactive products effectively.

---

Teaching:

---

Teaching Methods:

• Interactive lectures.
• Seminar discussions.
• Design workshops and studios.
• Industry guest lectures and talks.
• One-to-one tutorials and supervision.

---

Faculty:

• Dr. Andrew Blake (Course Leader): Research interests include diagrams, impact of graphical choices, and cognitive processes in interpreting diagrams.
Collaborations with Cambridge and Jadavpur Universities.
• Other Experienced Academic Staff: Contribute in their areas of expertise.

---

Teaching Philosophy:

• Collaborative and student-centered learning environment.
• Emphasis on industry relevance and real-world applications.

---

Careers:

---

Career Opportunities:

Graduates can pursue careers in various roles, including:

• Digital consultant.
• Senior developer.
• UX designer.
• Web designer.
• Digital marketer.

---

Other:

• The UXD MSc enjoys strong industry links with Zoonou, an East Sussex-based software testing and QA consultancy.
• Students have opportunities to attend UX Brighton conferences.
• Graduates are working in various industries, contributing to their success and demonstrating the program's strong outcomes.