MA Design for Interactive Experience

Overview

This course will give you the skills and understanding to design technology-driven experiences that inspire and delight. The MA Design for Interactive Experience course draws from design and visual arts to understand how to create unforgettable interactions between people and technology.

Mode of Study:

• Part-time

Duration:

• 2 years

Start date:

• Jan
• Sep

Course details

Working at the intersection of creativity and new and emerging technology, The MA Design for Interactive Experience programme attracts applicants with backgrounds in design, visual arts, computing, and engineering.

This course is constructed from core modules that will give you the skills and knowledge to design for creative experiences.

This course takes a human-centred design approach to incorporating technology into everyday experience in a meaningful way. Our graduates learn a critical approach to designing with technology. We explore how and why interaction can contribute to an engaging and satisfying experience and use experience design as a method to critique and respond to current issues.

This course is led by staff from Edinburgh Napier University’s Design Photography and Advertising group. Our permanent staff are actively involved in cutting-edge research in the fields they teach, contributing to conferences, journals, and books as well as gallery exhibitions and products for visitor experiences. Module teaching is augmented through contributions from professionals working in the field.

How you’ll be taught

As a highly interdisciplinary course, the MA Design for Interactive Experience is taught through several delivery methods. Studio-based teaching and design activities will enable you to apply technical knowledge within creative projects. This is supported by formal lectures and seminars that deliver core information and current state of the discipline thinking. You will benefit from experiential learning activities by visiting and critiquing relevant exhibitions and visitor attractions.

Assessments

Assessments are focused on practical outputs (i.e., coursework) but you will be expected to contextualize your work in written reports. Studying this programme will provide opportunities to develop work that will contribute directly to your personal portfolio.

Work placement

There are opportunities for working with organisations throughout your studies and staff work to involve external clients on modules. External client work is often developed by students themselves and throughout your studies, you are expected to be self-directed and self-reliant.

Facilities

Postgraduate design programmes in the School of Arts & Creative Industries are delivered in studio learning environments. There is a well-equipped workshop and digital manufacturing environment that is open to students across the design subject area.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

• The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline.
• We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

English language

• If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.
• This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course).

International students

• We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
• Entry requirements by country

Admissions policies

• We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study.
• Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2024/25

• Students from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules: £1,315
• Students from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Dissertation: £845
• Overseas and EU-Taught Modules: £2,820
• Overseas and EU-60 credit Dissertation: £1,900

Tuition fees for 2025/26

• Students from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules: £1,379
• Students from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Dissertation: £890
• Overseas and EU-Taught Modules: £2,959
• Overseas and EU-60 credit Dissertation: £2,000

Careers

As well as using their entrepreneurial skills to develop their own career paths, graduates from this programme can expect to find work in:

• Exhibition, museum, and interpretation design
• Interaction Design
• Service Design
• User Experience
• Immersive and Interactive Art
• Design for mixed reality

---

Degree Overview:

The MA Design for Interactive Experience is a postgraduate, part-time program offered by Edinburgh Napier University. It is a 3-year program that starts in September. It focuses on applied and theoretical approaches for designing interactivity for everyday experience, drawing from disciplines like user experience, interactive art, and interaction design.

---

Assessment:

Assessments are focused on practical outputs (i.e., coursework), but students are expected to contextualize their work in written reports.

---

Teaching:

The MA Design for Interactive Experience is taught through several delivery methods:

• Studio-based teaching and design activities: Enable students to apply technical knowledge within creative projects.
• Formal lectures and seminars: Deliver core information and current state of the discipline thinking.
• Experiential learning activities: Include visiting and critiquing relevant exhibitions and visitor attractions.
Permanent staff are actively involved in cutting-edge research in the fields they teach, contributing to conferences, journals, books, gallery exhibitions, and products for visitor experiences. Module teaching is augmented through contributions from professionals working in the field.

---

Careers:

Graduates from this program can expect to find work in:

• Exhibition, museum, and interpretation design
• Interaction Design
• Service Design
• User Experience
• Immersive and Interactive Art
• Design for mixed reality
Graduates can also use their entrepreneurial skills to develop their own career paths.

---

Other:

• The program attracts applicants with backgrounds in design, visual arts, computing, and engineering.
• The course takes a human-centered design approach to incorporating technology into everyday experience in a meaningful way.
• Graduates learn a critical approach to designing with technology.
• The program explores how and why interaction can contribute to an engaging and satisfying experience and uses experience design as a method to critique and respond to current issues.
• External client work is often developed by students themselves, and throughout their studies, they are expected to be self-directed and self-reliant.
• Postgraduate design programs in the School of Arts & Creative Industries are delivered in studio learning environments.
• There is a well-equipped workshop and digital manufacturing environment that is open to students across the design subject area.

---

Tuition fees for 2024/25

Students from 2024/25 2025/26 Stage 1 £3,315 £tba Stage 2 £3,965 £tba ====== ====== Total - Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,280 £tba ============================ ====== ====== Stage 1 £8,450 £tba Stage 2 £10,350 £tba ====== ====== Overseas and EU-Total Fee £18,800 £tba ============================ ====== ====== The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Edinburgh Napier University

---

Overview:

Edinburgh Napier University is a modern university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is renowned for its student learning experience and its commitment to innovation and enterprise. The university boasts a diverse student body with over 20,000 students from over 140 countries.

---

Services Offered:

The university offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Libraries and Heritage Collections:

Access to extensive library resources and heritage collections.

Accommodation:

On-campus accommodation options for students.

Student Life:

Opportunities for student engagement through clubs, societies, and events.

Funding:

Bursaries and scholarships to support students financially.

Career Services:

Guidance and support for career development and job searching.

International Student Support:

Dedicated services for international students.

Online Study:

Flexible learning options through online courses.

Short Courses:

Opportunities for professional development through short courses.

---

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Edinburgh Napier University provides a vibrant and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a variety of activities, including:

Clubs and Societies:

Joining clubs and societies related to their interests.

Events:

Attending university-organized events and social gatherings.

Sports:

Participating in sports teams and activities.

Student Union:

Engaging with the student union for representation and support.

---

Key Reasons to Study There:

High Rankings:

Consistently ranked among the top modern universities in Scotland and the UK.

Student Satisfaction:

High student satisfaction rates, reflecting a positive learning environment.

Research Power:

Strong research output and impact, contributing to knowledge advancement.

International Focus:

Diverse student body and global partnerships, fostering a multicultural environment.

Career-Focused Education:

Programs designed to equip students with the skills needed for successful careers.

---

Academic Programs:

Edinburgh Napier University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Accounting and Finance

Acting

Biological Sciences

Building and Surveying

Business and Management

Computing

Criminology, Psychology, and Sociology

Design, Photography, and Advertising

Engineering

English, Creative Writing, and Publishing

Film, Journalism, and Media

Health and Social Care

Law

Marketing

Music

Nursing and Midwifery

Sport and Exercise Sciences

Teaching

Tourism, Hospitality, Festival, and Events Management