Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction Design

Master of Science

Postgraduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction Design

Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate Diploma in Human-Computer Interaction Design

Postgraduate Diploma

Master of Science, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma

Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction Design, Postgraduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction Design, Postgraduate Diploma in Human-Computer Interaction Design

PSHCID

Placement Programme

Placement 

Students take the following dissertation module.

Option 1 - Dissertation

Students who secure an internship will take an additional elective module, and the corresponding project module.

Option 2 - Dissertation (Internship Track)

Dissertation component. Optionally, the dissertation can be carried out within a period of internship. Students who secure an internship will take an additional elective module, and the corresponding project module.

Dissertation

Elective

Core

Compulsory

5 compulsory modules, 2 core modules, plus one elective module

Taught Modules

Programme Structure

This programme will provide you with research, theories and techniques for designing and evaluating interactive systems, from web to mobile and multi-touch devices. You will acquire leading-edge knowledge in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), evaluating the usability of interactive systems and expertise in designing and evaluating systems for diverse user groups, including people with disabilities.  
This programme is delivered by the internationally renowned Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCID) and will equip you for a professional career in usability, user experience and Human-Computer Interaction. The programme has a strong record of placing graduates in roles such as user experience consultant, user researcher, user experience designer, usability specialist and accessibility specialist in leading consultancies and blue-chip IT companies. Some students may choose to continue their studies towards a doctoral level qualification.  
This programme is offered both as full-time and part-time routes, with an optional internship of professional industry experience as part of your postgraduate degree.  
The programme provides a range of modules which include 15 and 60 credit modules at Masters level. This programme includes seven core taught modules and one elective module, listed later in this document. The taught part of the programme will be followed by your individual project, a substantial module worth 60 credits (or 45 credits on the internship track with an additional compulsory 15-credit module) that you can commence once you have successfully passed all your taught modules 
Students on the MSc programme with Placement will undergo an additional 120-credits, achieved through successful completion of a 12-month placement. 
The programme provides you with a choice of 4 exit routes:  
Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, MSc in Human-Computer Interaction Design and MSc in Human-Computer Interaction Design with Placement.

Accredited by BCS The Chartered Institute for IT as partially meeting the academic requirement for CITP registration, for a period of 5 intakes from the 2024 intake, up to and including the 2029 intake, in the full time and part time modes. Please contact BCS directly for information: http://www.bcs.org 

Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of a wide range of evaluation techniques.  

Knowledge

Critically evaluate key HCI research papers.

Coherently summarise complex, subject-specific information and present it to others in a structured and professional manner using oral and written presentation skills.  

Skills

Evaluate the impact of important professional issues related to HCI research, such as ethical conduct and data protection. 

Critically adopt and adapt a range of user-based and expert-based evaluation techniques.

Assess, select, and critically apply techniques and tools for stimulating creative thinking in the context of designing socio-technical systems.

Undertake detailed and rigorous analyses of usability data

Rationally exploit both traditional and novel technological approaches

Values and attitudes

Create designs for interactive systems that build on current ideas in HCI.

Rigorously assess alternative approaches and novel designs and implementations.

Apply accurately and effectively an iterative, interaction design process.

Design and conduct effective user-based evaluation techniques.

Identify and analyse the requirements of users for a variety of interactive systems.

Develop and apply a critical and reflective mindset to design.

Embrace technical challenges as an opportunity for personal development.

Respect the work and intellectual property of others and reference it in a professional manner that is clear, consistent, and unambiguous.

Exercise initiative and sustained effort to attain clear objectives within specified deadlines.  

Interpret and critically apply a range of interaction design techniques including techniques for data collection, conceptual design, detailed design and evaluation.  

Evaluate designs for interactive systems to assess whether they will be usable and acceptable to diverse users, and identify any conflicts between the needs of different user groups in specific designs.

Reflect on own functioning and apply self-criticism in order to improve practice. 

Demonstrate professional conduct, especially during research and activities involving users.

Assess the importance of usability and the consequences of poor usability for interactive systems.

Interpret HCI principles and guidelines, including visual design guidelines, applying them to a variety of situations.

Develop and critically evaluate a variety of arguments to justify inclusive design in a range of different design situations to fulfil the needs of a diverse user group, including disabled users. 

Apply and appraise research approaches appropriate to Human-Computer Interaction.

Develop conceptual and detailed designs for interactive technologies.

Critically adopt and adapt latest processes for understanding design and evaluation in human-computer interaction, and understand when it is appropriate to undertake them.

Promote innovation that rest on users as the core for socio-technical systems.

Design and conduct effective usability inspections and expert-based reviews.

Compare and contrast interaction technologies.

Become familiar and sensitive to issues related to designing interactive systems for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Design and evaluate interactive systems for users with a variety of different individual needs and capabilities.

Create designs for interactive systems that can accommodate the needs of a diverse base of users, and identify any conflicts between the needs of different user groups in specific designs.

Design and conduct user research using a range of data collection techniques.

Demonstrate an appreciation of the value of scientific research within this discipline from a critical perspective.

Understand the needs of a variety of different user groups not normally considered in the design process, for example, those with sensory, cognitive and physical impairments, and older users.

PSHCID - Human-Computer Interaction Design

The programme covers: 
 
<ul>
<li>A range of user research methods common in Human-Computer Interaction and user experience. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A range of methods for the evaluation of digital systems. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The fundamentals of interaction design and information architecture. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Social implications of technology. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Participatory and creative design methods. </li>
</ul>

You will learn via a mix of learning and teaching strategies.  
In taught modules you will learn through lectures and tutorials. Fundamental concepts are introduced in lectures. Demonstrations and videos exemplify the lecture material. You will then apply the concepts in small, interactive exercises and in practical work in supervised tutorials.  
In addition, you will engage in self-directed study to deepen your understanding, during which you will read recommended materials, engage in reflective exercises, participate in seminars and tutorials, and prepare for formative and summative assessments.  
Some of the assessments and exercises will involve group work to enable you to learn how to work effectively in teams and learn other transferable skills. It will also result in the creation of a portfolio.  
The face-to-face teaching is supported via online tools which will also enable feedback and engagement via discussion forums and the dissemination of additional material made available to you.  
For the individual project, you will learn through regular meetings with your project supervisor, in addition to self-directed study.

Curriculum Catalogue

Human-Computer Interaction Design - MSc

PSHCID