User Experience Design MA

Program Overview

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User Experience Design MA

Master user-centred design principles to develop and design socially and environmentally responsible, innovative products and solutions.

Key information

• Course duration: Full-time 1 year
• Annual fees:
  • Home (full-time): £10,600
  • Overseas (full-time): £24,000
• Course start: September 2025

Course overview

User experience profoundly and fundamentally impacts how we relate to technologies, interfaces and environments. Our MA in User Experience Design empowers you to create accessible and streamlined interactions with technology.

This dynamic course emphasises applied industry approaches to user research and product development, enabling you to tackle complex challenges through experimental methods. With a strong foundation in design thinking, you will refine your skills in creating inclusive digital touch points for diverse platforms. You will engage in user research, prototyping, and testing through project-based learning to develop functional and aesthetically refined outcomes. Course projects will centre around user research, challenging you to develop tangible results for various digital platforms and interfaces.

By the end of the course, you will have a professional portfolio that reflects your unique interests, equipping you with the practical skills to communicate your findings effectively and prepare for a successful career in the UX industry.

Why study with us

• Advanced design skills: Develop your skills and master the principles of user-centred design, accessibility, and usability to create impactful digital experiences.
• Innovative problem-solving: Engage in hands-on projects that promote original thinking and refine your technical and creative methodologies.
• Collaborative environment: Benefit from shared taught delivery with peers from related disciplines, supporting a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and interdisciplinary interaction.
• Professional resources: Access state-of-the-art facilities, including contemporary technology and industry-standard tools, media labs, 2D & 3D studios and workshops, computer labs, high specification PCs, digital darkrooms, analogue and digital resources, licensed specialist software, a media resource centre, and the Make Space.
• Ethical design frameworks: Develop products prioritising user privacy, inclusivity, and well-being, ensuring responsible design practices.
• Portfolio development: By the end of the course, you will have created a professional portfolio of work that showcases your interests, prepares your skills, aligns with your career aspirations, and prepares you for industry challenges.

Course details

This programme is a one-year course, including 30 weeks of direct teaching time and a 15-week final project. You will need to complete five units and one 60-credit major project (180 credits in total). All units on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. If you study part-time your modules will be split across two years. Full course details, including aims and assessment criteria, will be provided in the course specification upon validation.

• Core practice and context in User Experience Design (60 credits): This unit launches your master’s study experience at Norwich, encouraging you to explore leading practices and emerging research within and around user experience design.
• Advanced technical skills in User Experience Design (20 credits): This unit focuses on the advanced technical skills essential for idea generation, problem-solving, and practical development in user experience design.
• Dialogue, debate, and domain knowledge in User Experience Design (10 credits): This unit encourages your exploration of a range of leading practices and emerging research within user experience design through reflective analysis and interactive sessions.
• Professional technical skills in User Experience Design (20 credits): This unit deepens your expertise in professional-level technical skills crucial for human-centred design in user experience.
• Advanced critical context in User Experience Design (10 credits): This unit is designed to enhance your knowledge of leading practices and emerging research within and around the field of user experience design.
• Major project (60 credits): This unit marks the culmination of your master’s study, consolidating your specialist knowledge, communication skills, and sophisticated practices within user experience design.

Learning and teaching

The course is delivered through a variety of engaging learning and teaching methods.

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Technical labs
• Independent and group work

Assessment

Our assessment methods will vary based on the unit you choose and provide a comprehensive measure of your learning and progress. These methods may include:

• Critically reflective essay
• Course work
• Presentations
• Learning journal
• Reflective evaluation
• Body of creative work
• Reflective research report
• Team project evaluation
• Major project
• Supporting documentation

Real world problem-solving

This course is part of our suite of Master’s in UX, Interaction and Service Design, offering a collaborative framework across various specialisations, including MA User Experience Design, MA Interaction Design and MA Service Design. This provides students with opportunities to engage with peers from different disciplines while working on individual assignments. Such collaboration mirrors the professional dynamics in the creative industries today, allowing students to gain valuable experience in interdisciplinary teamwork and real world problem-solving.

Typical career paths

The user experience (UX) sector has grown substantially over the past decade as industries have increasingly recognised the necessity and importance of optimising digital user experiences. Our MA in User Experience Design has been designed and tailored to support you in developing essential skills that are highly sought after in the industry and how to work within multi-disciplinary teams to design, develop, and evaluate digital products and services across a range of platforms and technologies. We will also prepare you for a career by equipping you with a range of transferable skills, such as complex problem-solving expertise, the ability to analyse carefully and clearly, and working as a team member.

This course prepares you for a career in a variety of disciplines related to user experience design, including:

• User researcher
• Interaction designer
• Experience designer
• Digital director
• Interface designer

Entry Requirements

We typically require an honours degree of 2:1 or above in a science, technology, computing, maths, physics, engineering, data sciences or data analytics degree, or a professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an honours degree in a technology-related or engineering discipline.

Those with industry experience or relevant skills from non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including individuals currently employed. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact us for guidance before applying.

English language requirements (International/EU)

If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. we also accept other English language qualifications.

International Qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our international pages.

Portfolio requirement

When you apply for this course, we will ask you to prepare your portfolio and a written submission. We might also ask you to prepare for an interview. These methods are used to assess your suitability for the course. All three elements should clearly demonstrate your passion for the subject and your individual creativity.

Further information will be provided once you have applied.

Fees and funding

• Home: £10,600
• International: £24,000

Funding your study

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience. Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Additional costs

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition. Accommodation, cost of materials, and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees.

How to apply

Applications to our postgraduate courses should be made directly to Norwich University of the Arts using a Postgraduate Application Form.

Applications should be returned to [insert contact information].

Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details.

Postgraduate applicants can only apply directly by completing the below online application form or emailing the downloadable form to [insert contact information].

Online Postgraduate Application Form International Postgraduate Application Form (219kb)

International students requiring a visa should apply as soon as possible in the year they wish to start. Email our International Team for more information.

Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details.

Postgraduate open days

Get a taste of life at Norwich, learn more about our courses, our campus and meet the creators and makers you’ll be learning from.

Book an open day.

Related courses

Discover our courses and take the first step towards unleashing your potential.

• Interaction Design MA: Transform your understanding of user interaction and digital experiences through innovative practices and critical engagement.
• Service Design MA: Master the art of service design to create solutions that shape the future of user-centric experiences.