Program Overview

Overview

The Human-Computer Interaction MSc is a one-year full-time course that aims to provide students with the expertise to create, design, and develop engaging interactive digital technologies. The course combines understanding people with the design of technology, drawing on social sciences, psychology, art, design, computing, and engineering.

What You'll Learn

Through compulsory and optional modules, students will learn the principles of human-centred design and build an understanding of the impact of digital technologies. The course covers topics such as:

• Systems and Societies
• Technologies for Human-Computer Interaction
• Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction and UX
• Research Methods in Human-Computer Interactions
• Interaction / UX Design Methods
• Project in Human-Computer Interaction
• Physical Prototyping
• Human-Artificial Intelligence (AI) Interaction & Futures

How You'll Learn

The course is delivered through a combination of:

• Seminars
• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Group and individual project work
• Guided independent reading
• Self-directed learning Assessment methods include:
• Design or creative project
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Written exercise

Your Future

The Human-Computer Interaction MSc prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:

• User experience (UX) researcher / designer / consultant
• Interaction designer
• Usability engineer
• Research (via a PhD) Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles, including:
• User Experience Designer at BBC
• Graduate UX Designer at Sage
• Senior Research Analyst at Capgemini
• User Experience / User Interface KTP Associate at City, University of London
• UX Designer / Researcher at Novacroft
• UX Designer at Barclays

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of the university's research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 170 for Computing Science and Information Systems - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

Facilities

The course is based in the £58 million Urban Sciences Building (USB), which offers:

• Specialist facilities for Human-Computer Interaction, including MakerSpace and media studio
• Spaces to conduct design and workshop activities
• Professional photography, video, and audio capture equipment
• VR equipment for immersive technology exploration
• Robots, including Pepper and Nao, for project use

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year):
  • Home students: £15,100
  • International students: £32,300
• Scholarships are available, including a 25% discount for EU students without settled or pre-settled status

Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in any subject
• Account will be taken of any relevant practical or work experience
• English Language requirements:
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in all sub-skills)
  • Pearson: 62 overall (with a minimum of 59 in all sub-skills)
  • Duolingo English Test: 105 overall (with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills)
  • TOEFL: 90 overall (with a minimum of 20 in all sub-skills)

How to Apply

• The course starts in September
• There is no application closing date, but international students are advised to apply at least two months before the course starts
• A deposit of £1,500 is required for international students who need a visa to study in the UK
• Programme code: 5447F
• Applications can be made through the university's application portal
• For more information, please contact the Admissions Secretary or visit the university's website.