Design for Health & Wellbeing

Key programme benefits to future students

Some of the skills you will learn are:

- The process of design: problem solving, critical, creative and design thinking skills; design research, brainstorming, ideation, prototyping, role-play, design development, testing, iteration, visualization skills, sketching, modelling and design tools.

- How to identify areas of opportunity by uncovering health care needs;

- The legal and regulatory aspects of healthcare;

- How to work with hospitals and clinics;

- How to engage with patients and stakeholders;

- How to apply human factors and ergonomic principles;

- How to appreciate the complex nature of health as a concept and the various determinants of health;

- How to understand the causes, risk factors and symptoms associated with different types of disease profiles as well the different types of treatments;

- How to harness the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge required to establish and grow a new venture.



The programme features a short research immersion in a hospital or other healthcare environment. The program also involves collaborating with industry partners to work on sponsored briefs.



The programme is comprised of seven modules spread over three semesters. The part-time programme is delivered over 6 semesters. While it is studio based we can also cater for those who need to be online, via the University’s learning management system, meeting the needs of working professionals in Ireland and overseas.

Autumn Modules

• Entrepreneurship – Establishing International Ventures

• Design Research

• Anatomy and Physiology in Emergent Care 1



Spring Modules

• Human Factors in Health Systems

• Introduction to Health and Health Promotion

• Ideation and Representation

• Concept Development and Evaluation



Summer Modules

• Design Project

The minimum entry requirement to the programme is a 2:2, (Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant or appropriate subject as outlined below, or equivalent prior learning that is recognised by the University as meeting this requirement.



Applications are welcome from students of non-design backgrounds who are interested in innovating solutions for tomorrow’s health and wellbeing challenges and opportunities. Examples include, but are not limited to, technical disciplines (science & engineering), business, medicine and allied health professions, and social sciences.



Where applicants are non-native English language speakers, certified achievement in TOEFL or IELTS Standard English Language Competency Test will be required. An interview may be part of the admission process

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time on campus

Autumn

Graduate careers

Graduates of this programme will have advanced design skills setting them up for innovation roles to lead the development of new health solutions across diverse applications and industries. Graduates have a high employment rate and are currently working in design practices, medical technology companies, hospitals and other healthcare settings.



Example careers include working in: Product and medical device innovation; UX/UI design for healthcare; Service & systems design; Design project manager; Design Researcher; Human factors specialists; Regulatory affairs specialist; Business model design or design entrepreneurship.