Our User Experience and Service Design (MA or MSc) programme will give you a solid foundation to develop the skills and knowledge needed for a career as a UX professional. You can also do this programme part-time – for more information about part-time study patterns, please contact us.
Once you start the programme, it may be possible to switch between (1) User Experience and Service Design and (2) User Experience Design if you decide that the other programme suits you better. After the first few weeks, you will choose which award (MA or MSc) you wish to work towards. We will help you select the option that is best for you.
Compulsory
Experience Design (30 credits)
The aim of this module is to introduce the human centred design process and core experience design principles and their application to the design of interactive products and services.
Understanding People, Behaviours and Context (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to introduce postgraduate design students to the principles and practice of human-centered research to identify opportunities for the design of product and service experiences.
Systems Thinking for Designers (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to introduce students to systemic design and its underpinning theoretical foundations from systems thinking. It aims to equip students with systems-oriented frameworks and practices to critically inform the design of systems-conscious/shifting services and experiences
Compulsory
Industry Project (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to introduce students to the experience/service design profession through the tackling an industry set brief and delivering an evidence-based and meaningful design outcome for a sponsoring organisation. The module will enable students to enhance their professional team-working, collaboration, communication, and reflection skills and support their development towards becoming an effective practitioner.
Service Design (30 credits)
The aims of this module are to develop students knowledge, understanding and application of service design. It encourages students to utilise a contemporary range of design methods and tools to design original services comprising multiple inter-related touch points between system, service, stakeholder, and end user. Further, it also aims to encourage critical discussion of the subject within the broader societal and environmental context.
Compulsory for the MA award
Generative Research and Prototyping for MA Design Major Project (15 credits)
This module aims to equip students with skills and competencies to undertake generative design research and prototyping in their chosen topic of enquiry. Underpinned by a reflective mindset, this module helps students identify the key issues and methodologies appropriate for generative design research and prototyping, in preparation for undertaking a self-directed experience design major project.
Compulsory for the MSc award
Evaluative Research and Prototyping for MSc Design Research Project (15 credits)
This module is designed to help students develop the skills needed to carry out evaluative design research and create prototypes for their chosen topic. It promotes a reflective approach, helping students recognize important issues and methods suitable for evaluative prototyping and design research. This will prepare them for working on their own independent experience design research project.
Compulsory for the MA award
Experience Design Major Project (60 credits)
The aim of this module is to develop the student's in-depth knowledge of the UX design process relating to a specific UX Design opportunity, in order integrate and apply knowledge, skills and values from other modules in a significant user experience design project. The student achieves this aim by undertaking an iterative, human-centred design project. This project will address a specific UX design opportunity, and use innovative, best practice design approaches and tools in order to innovate, scope and develop potential solutions that create great user experiences.
The output of the research project will be a high-fidelity concept prototype of a new system/service or product. The module will provide a significant example of the student's design and innovation capability for their CV and portfolio, and will facilitate the student's further development from postgraduate student to UX professional.
Compulsory for the MSc award
UX Research Major Project (60 credits)
The aim of this module is to help students gain a deeper understanding of a topic or problem in UX Design. Students will do this by completing a research project that focuses on human-centered design. This project will address a gap in the existing research and use important theories and best practices. Students will create and test a prototype system, service, or product to answer specific research questions.
The project will contribute both ideas and practical solutions to the UX field. It will also give students a strong example of their design and research skills for their CV and portfolio, helping them move from being a student to becoming a UX professional.