User Experience and Service Design

The User Experience and Service Design programme is offered as either an MA or an MSc. This advanced degree will develop your knowledge, skills, and practice in Experience (UX) Design, Service Design, and Interaction Design. Our modules will teach you how to undertake user research, identify opportunities for creating great user experiences, and design transformative products/services. You will also work with industry clients and develop material for your portfolio.

Qualification(s) available: MA, MSc

Fees

• Dependent on start date. See below.
• 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

Programme Description

Our User Experience and Service Design programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practice required to become human-centred designers within the industry. The programme empowers students to design socially and environmentally responsible products and services. The content of the programme will enable students to develop their skills and competencies in both the creative and analytical aspects of UX while working on a diverse range of projects.

Programme Aims

The User Experience and Service Design programme has six aims:

1. Nurture a comprehensive intellectual understanding of User Experience and Service Design and the vocational and professional skills required to master connecting theory, creativity, and practice.
2. Foster an innovative, systemic, and disruptive approach to concept development informed by a detailed understanding of people and context through real-world research.
3. Achieve mastery in conceptualising, designing, and developing transformative, responsible, and sustainable digital and non-digital experiences.
4. Cultivate the organisational, technical, collaborative, and creative skills required to apply User Experience and Service Design across various sectors.
5. Challenge students' preconceptions of User Experience and Service Design by exposing them to transdisciplinary working through practice-based learning and live industry projects.
6. Enable students to become independent scholars and practitioners in User Experience and Service Design, preparing them for future study or practice.

Programme Structure

The programme is based around a series of lectures and workshops. There will also be a series of guest lectures on various professional topics, including career development. The User Experience and Service 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

Modules

Semester 1

Compulsory

• Experience Design (30 credits)
• Understanding People, Behaviours and Context (15 credits)
• Systems Thinking for Designers (15 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory

• Industry Project (15 credits)
• Service Design (30 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)

Summer

Compulsory for the MA award

• Experience Design Major Project (60 credits)

Compulsory for the MSc award

• UX Research Major Project (60 credits)

Assessment

We will give you helpful feedback on your work throughout the year to help you develop to your potential. You will be assessed through various coursework, including submission of design projects, group and individual presentations, and discussion of work.

Entry Requirements

Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications, i.e., first-class honours, upper second-class honours, and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.

We will consider applicants from all academic backgrounds, not just design. We value and promote diversity of all forms on our course. We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate a genuine desire to design better experiences for individuals and society.

Entry Requirements for United Kingdom

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

English Language Requirements

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

Please note: a good level of spoken English language is important to succeed on this programme.

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.

The fee stated is for a full-time student undertaking a master's programme of 180 credits. Part-time students should divide the published fee by 180 credits and then multiply by the number of credits they are taking to calculate their tuition fees.

Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

Scholarships and Bursaries

There are scholarships and bursaries available to help with funding your 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

We are committed to helping you develop the skills and attributes you need to progress successfully in your chosen career.

We offer diverse extracurricular activities, including guest lectures, seminars, and entry to UX Design competitions to build your personal, professional, and teamworking skills alongside your academic proficiencies. Each student has a personal tutor who offers mentorship and support to their students throughout the course. Loughborough University also offers an extensive range of societies for students to explore their social, sporting, or creative aspirations.

Our Academics

• Dr. Tracy Ross: Reader in People-Centred Innovation Design
• Dr. Stuart Cockbill: Senior Lecturer in Design
• Dr. Andrew May: Senior Lecturer in Design
• Dr. Chris Parker: Senior Lecturer in Design

Your Future Career

We help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a UX professional.

Our students work in many different job roles, including UX Designer, UI Designer, User Researcher, Product Manager, Experience Designer, Product Designer, UX Consultant, User Insights Specialist, Service Designer, and Digital Consultant. They work in many companies outside the design field, including those in management and IT, that value the user-centred design skills we teach. Some graduates go on to careers in research, teaching, or progress onto PhD study. The employment destinations of our recent graduates include IBM Design, IBM iX, Samsung, Next, Dyson, Tencent, Huawei, Baidu, and Pivotal Labs.

Related Master's Degrees

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

Search for a master's degree or browse all master's degrees.

Loughborough University

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Overview:

Loughborough University is a public research university located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in sports science, engineering, and business. The university boasts a vibrant campus life and a strong focus on research and innovation.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Loughborough University offers a diverse and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, societies, and volunteering opportunities. The university has a strong sporting heritage and is home to world-class facilities. Students can also enjoy a vibrant social scene with numerous bars, restaurants, and events happening on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class facilities:

Loughborough University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated sports village, a modern library, and cutting-edge research labs.

Strong academic reputation:

The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for its academic excellence.

Vibrant campus life:

Students can enjoy a lively and diverse campus community with numerous opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Focus on research and innovation:

Loughborough University is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on tackling real-world challenges.

Excellent career prospects:

Graduates from Loughborough University are highly sought after by employers, with strong career prospects in various fields.

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Academic Programs:

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

Engineering:

Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and more.

Business and Economics:

Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and more.

Sport Science:

Exercise Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Management, and more.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

Psychology, Sociology, History, and more.

Science and Technology:

Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.

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Other:

Loughborough University has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The university is actively working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions and promoting inclusivity and diversity within its community.