User Experience Design
* IADT’s MSc in User Experience Design is currently undergoing a review. The content and delivery of the programme may change (subject to validation) for the 2024/25 academic year.
UX design encompasses all aspects of a user’s experience of using a product or service. A UX designer works in an iterative design process that includes researching current user experiences, understanding product and business strategy, designing better user experiences, evaluating user experiences, and communicating the results of their work.
What will I be doing?
The programme involves five distinct projects. Each project focusses on different aspects of the UX design process. During the first year of the programme, students complete three UX design projects.
1. The first project focusses on the UX design process, the stages of the process and the iterative nature of the process.
2. The second project delves into user research methods, interaction design principles and usability testing techniques in detail.
3. The third project explores the detailed aspects of user experience design, including human psychology, content design and navigation, visual and inclusive design.
4. The fourth project involves the use of speculative design to explore problems through design and to examine design strategy.
5. The final project is a capstone project that provides an opportunity to develop and showcase the knowledge and skills acquired on the programme.
The first three projects are completed during the first year of the programme; the final two projects are completed in the second year of the programme.
Subjects taught
What modules will I study?
There are five modules on the programme, one for each of the above projects:
Year One
Fundamentals of UX Design
The UX design process, design thinking, user research, interaction design, usability testing.
User Research and Interaction Design
Designing user research projects, collecting and analysis user research data, creating interactive products using best practice design principles.
Psychology, Information Architecture and Visual Design
Exploring human psychology, content design and navigation, visual and inclusive design
Year Two
UX Design Strategy and Futures
Improving design skills by exploring problems through speculative design, understanding design strategy
Major Research Project
Carrying out a capstone project that involves a significant amount of user and design research, iterative design, usability testing; and finally presenting the results of the project
Entry requirements
Min Entry Requirements
Undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree level.
Applicants may be considered provided they can demonstrate Honours Degree equivalence, which can be verified through our RPL (recognition of prior learning) process.
Some prior experience with a related discipline is required.
Shortlisted candidates may be called for interview and/or requested to submit a portfolio of previous work in this area in order to determine the extent of their prior experience.
Two references must also support your application.
Application dates
2024/25 Applications are now open
IADT operates a rolling admissions policy for graduate taught courses, with decisions issued in 4 weeks after a submitted and complete application is received.
An application is incomplete until you provide all required items on the checklist (including the application fee, if applicable).
Generally, courses will remain open to applications until all places are filled.
Duration
2 years [part-time] mid Sept-early May.
Year 1
• Wednesday evenings, 18:00-21:00; online
• One Saturday per month, 10:00-14:30; hybrid (online or on-campus)
Year 2
• Wednesday evenings, 19:00-21:00; hybrid. From late Sept-early Nov
• Meeting with project advisor every 3-4 weeks; hybrid. From early Oct-early May
Post Course Info
Future careers
Graduates with existing UX design experience have moved into more senior roles, including leadership and management roles. Graduates starting out on their UX design careers have been successful in applying for roles as user researcher and UX designers.