Program Overview

---

User Experience Design

The User Experience Design programme is offered as either an MA or an MSc, allowing students to choose the option that best suits their needs. This advanced degree aims to improve students' knowledge and skills in User Experience (UX) Design and Interaction Design. Students can also specialize in Virtual Reality, Inclusive Design, or designing for devices other than smartphones.

Qualification(s) available: MA, MSc

• Fees: Dependent on start date.
• Scholarships available
• Entry requirements: 2:1
• Full-time: 1 year
• Part-time: Typically 2 years
• Location: Loughborough
• Start date: October 2025 or October 2026
• Department: Design

Why you should choose us

• 3rd in the UK for Art and Design (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
• 39th in the world for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
• 4th in the UK for Art and Design (The Complete University Guide 2026)

Why you should study this degree

UX and UI specialists are forecast to be one of the fastest-growing jobs (The World Economic Forum ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025’, p.19). UX Designers create products and services that improve people's lives. The goal is to graduate designers who focus on people and can find new opportunities for innovation. They learn to design products and services that meet user needs and provide great experiences.

Aims of the programme

• Build understanding and skills: Help students understand User Experience Design and learn the skills needed to mix theory, creativity, and practice.
• Encourage new ideas: Encourage students to think in fresh and different ways when creating ideas by learning about people and their environment through real research.
• Design meaningful experiences: Teach students how to design and develop digital and non-digital experiences that are transformative, responsible, and sustainable.
• Develop essential abilities: Build students' organisational, technical, teamwork, and creative skills so they can work in many areas of UX Design.
• Challenge preconceptions: Challenge students' current ideas about UX Design by letting them work on practice-based learning and live industry projects.
• Prepare for the future: Enable students to become independent learners and professionals in UX Design, ready for further study or a career.

Professional recognition

Accredited by the CIEHF as a Technical Degree Course.

What you'll study

The User Experience Design (MA or MSc) programme will give students a solid foundation to develop the skills and knowledge needed for a career as a UX professional. Students can also do this programme part-time – for more information about part-time study patterns, please contact the university.

Semester 1

Compulsory

• Experience Design (30 credits)
• Usability, Principles and Practice (15 credits)
• Understanding People, Behaviours and Context (15 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory

• Industry Project (15 credits)

Compulsory for the MA award

• Generative Research and Prototyping for MA Design Major Project (15 credits)

Compulsory for the MSc award

• Evaluative Research and Prototyping for MSc Design Research Project (15 credits)

Optional (choose one)

• Interaction and Immersive Futures (30 credits)
• Disruptive Interaction Design (30 credits)
• Design for Inclusive Experiences (30 credits)

Summer

Compulsory for the MA award

• Experience Design Major Project (60 credits)

Compulsory for the MSc award

• UX Research Major Project (60 credits)

How you'll be assessed

Students will receive useful feedback on their work throughout the year to help them reach their full potential. They will be assessed through different coursework, such as submitting design projects, making group and individual presentations, and discussing their work.

How you'll study

There will be a series of guest lectures on various professional topics, including career development. The university provides teaching material online before the lectures and records the lectures so students can watch them again later. The User Experience Design programme uses a mix of teaching and learning methods:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Field trips
• Independent study
• Group work
• Supervision
• Workshops
• Practical sessions
• Online tutorials
• Virtual learning
• Access to online material

Where you'll study

Students' study time will be in a modern Design School building, which was built around 2010. The building has workshops, studios, study areas, lecture rooms, and a café.

Entry requirements

The university will consider applicants from all academic backgrounds, not just design. Students must have a genuine interest in new technologies and be comfortable working with data. Experience of software development/coding is not necessary. The university values and promotes diversity of all forms on the course.

Entry requirements for United Kingdom

• A 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification)
• Students from a range of disciplines relevant to User Experience Design (including Art and Design, Computer Science, Media, Psychology, Business)

International entry requirements

The university uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark. The entry requirements vary depending on the country and institution.

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and funding

Fees for the academic year

• UK fee: £13,250 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £30,950 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the academic year

• UK fee: £13,700 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £31,900 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the academic year apply to courses starting in October 2025 or January 2026. Fees for the academic year apply to courses starting in October 2026.

Scholarships and bursaries

There are scholarships and bursaries available to help with funding students' study.

10% off tuition fees

• Loughborough University Alumni Bursary

1851 Royal Commission Fellowships and awards

These opportunities are external to Loughborough University. See The Royal Commission website for eligibility criteria and further details.

Your development

The university is dedicated to helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career.

• Many extracurricular activities, such as guest lectures, seminars, and the chance to join UX Design competitions
• Personal tutor who provides guidance and support throughout the course
• Wide range of societies where students can explore their social, sporting, or creative interests

Our academics

• Dr Panos Balatsoukas, Lecturer in Experience Design
• Dr Tracy Ross, Reader in People-Centred Innovation Design
• Dr Andrew May, Senior Lecturer in Design
• Dr Chris Parker, Senior Lecturer in Design

Your future career

The university helps students develop the skills they need to succeed as a UX professional.

• Many different job roles, including UX Designers, UI Designers, User Researchers, Product Managers, Experience Designers, Product Designers, UX Consultants, User Insights Specialists, Service Designers, and Digital Consultants
• Companies outside the design field, including those in management and IT, that value the user-centred design skills taught
• Some graduates also go into research, teaching, or continue their studies with a PhD
• Recent graduates have found work at companies such as IBM Design, IBM iX, Samsung, Next, Dyson, Tencent, Huawei, Baidu, and Pivotal Labs

Related master's degrees

• User Experience and Service Design MA, MSc
• Ergonomics and Human Factors MSc, PGDip, PGCert
• Human Factors and Ergonomics for Patient Safety PGCert
• Integrated Industrial Design MSc