Program Overview
Overview
One of the first of its kind in the UK, this MSc Design Research course blends the practices of a designer and a researcher into one coherent pathway.
This new approach to design comes off the back of a shift in the industry, brought about by new disciplines like User Experience (UX) Design, which has led to an increased demand for designers focused on qualitative methods of research in fields such as Service Design, Policy Design, Systems Design, and Design Strategy.
This programme aims to equip you with the tools and knowledge required to:
- Become an effective and reflective design research practitioner who can navigate employer and client needs
- Gain a critical understanding of design and design research as both a career and a practice
- Engage and reflect on different aspects of design research and how it can contribute to a more fair and just society
- Effectively apply practical, critical, evaluative, and analytical human-centred design for diverse populations
Mode of Study:
Full-time
Duration:
1 years
Course details
This programme's approach to learning, teaching and assessment draws on a wide range of strategies which will empower you with the skills to become an independent and flexible life-long learner.
Tutors will use a variety of strategies and formats to share their knowledge on theoretical and practical aspects of design research.
The course offers a face-to-face learning strategy supplemented by a digital learning environment (Moodle) in which students receive information about the modules, reading lists, activities, assessments, etc. Students can also be invited to join online synchronous and asynchronous sessions to complement on-site activities. Face-to-face sessions will have a broad range of approaches.
How you’ll be taught
Teaching activities might include:
- Lectures: key issues in theory and practice are outlined and academic debate is encouraged and facilitated.
- Tutorials/Seminars: involving students in student-centred tasks such as analysis of issues, debates, presentations, role playing, problem-based learning (PBL), case study analysis, open discussion sessions, and student research papers.
- Studio based workshops: covering core skills in design and research methods often utilising specialised equipment and or software.
- Work-placement: integrating practice and theory and direct experience of the industry whilst developing contacts.
- Studio visits: with the opportunity to hear from leading practitioners on site, this also enables the development of industry connections.
- Independent individual or group work: this may include research or task-oriented exercises, casework, group projects that replicate conditions in industry (which could involve student peer assessment), simulations, and oral presentations.
- Guest Lectures and seminars: featuring a wide range of speakers and guest lecturers from industry.
Assessments
Assignments in the taught section of this programme ask students to apply their knowledge to scenarios from the outside world. Assessments are practical deliveries and presentations of solutions. In the Major Project, students are expected to work under their own initiative guided by a supervisor to conduct a research project of their choosing.
The assessment of students is explicitly linked to the pedagogical processes and learning outcomes of the degree programme. Assessment is informative and diagnostic, as well as summative and evaluative. The process will provide students with constructive feedback. Students will be given the opportunity to pursue original thought and ideas and encouraged to question received opinion.
Forms of assessment include, but are not limited to:
- Coursework (case studies, essays, reports, projects, and practical exercises).
- Project work (individual or collaborative).
- Tasks aimed at the development of specific skills (including skills in writing reports, conducting user testing, data analysis etc.).
- Portfolio work (including reflective journals, practical exercises, etc.).
Facilities
MSc Design Research and its sibling course, MA Service Design, are taught in dedicated studios based in Merchiston Campus.
Teaching and learning are specifically designed to take advantage of the studio facilities and atmosphere. The studios are a collaborative space where peer feedback and involvement are encouraged. The PG studios are situated in close proximity to dedicated computer suites exclusive to students in the School of Arts & Creative Industries.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above. We look for applicants to have a background in any discipline in order to be eligible for the programme.
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). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.
International students
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
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
The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.
Tuition fees
Students from | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | ---|---|--- Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland | £7,280 | £7,650 | Overseas and EU | £18,800 | £19,750 |
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
Careers
What can you do with an MSc Design Research degree?
Once you have obtained your degree in MSc Design Research from Edinburgh Napier University, you will have opened up opportunities to build a future career in the Design industry within the growing and in-demand field of Design Research.
Within this field, some specific roles you could find yourself working in include:
- Design Researcher
- Government Researcher
- Digital Product Designer or Consultant
- User Experience Designer or Consultant
What are the current prospects in the Design Research industry?
In Scotland, and in particularly Edinburgh, Design Researchers are in demand from employers such as the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland, and creative agencies such as Dentsu and Nile.
The average salary for UK design researchers is £60,250 (Glassdoor, 2023). Junior Designers typically earn between £25,000 - 34,000.
