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University of Limerick

Design for Health & Wellbeing

This programme brings together students from across disciplines to develop and apply innovative, interdisciplinary and humancentred approaches to the design of medical devices, consumer health & wellbeing products, and product service systems for health. The programme is based on working and co-designing with stakeholders right across health care, from hospitals, to mental health services, to public health, to wellbeing of consumers in society.

Overview

The MSc in Design for Health and Wellbeing is based on working and co-designing with stakeholders right across health care, from hospitals, to mental health services, to public health, to wellbeing of consumers in society.

The Masters is delivered predominantly in a design studio environment, cultivating a culture of creativity, peer learning and transdisciplinary exploration. The core design modules are based on project work, problem solving and creativity, that centres on collaboration, human centred design and contemporary design processes. Students work across domains and at the borders of design and other disciplines.

The approach is based on real-world challenges linked with industry and community partners. Through this real-world approach students learn to identify opportunities and innovate solutions that have a positive impact on individuals, as well as public, health and wellbeing.

Foundation knowledge in design processes will build to specific expertise, as applied to the areas health and wellbeing. The curriculum focuses on experimentation, exploration to develop critical thinking, independent learning and an ability to bring new processes and thinking to this emergent global area.

Entry requirements

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 design and 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.

WHAT TO INCLUDE WITH YOUR APPLICATION
•Qualification transcripts and/or certificates (including certified English translations if applicable)
•English language qualification(s) (if English is not your first language)
•A copy of your birth certificate/passport
•Statement of Interest: Applicants should describe their key areas of interest in the health sector, detailing how their academic background and professional experience relate to their interests, and how their intended practice and research align with the objectives of the program. The proposal must be typed (750 max words).
•Design Portfolio (for design applicants): Applicants must submit a digital portfolio showing samples of relevant student or professional work produced in the last five years. Visual work, analytic reports, proposal documents etc. may be included. Applicants are expected to demonstrate proficiency in their primary design discipline(s). The applicant's best work should be represented.
•Alternative Portfolio (for non-design applicants): Applicants must submit a digital portfolio showing samples of relevant student or professional work produced in the last five years. The portfolio should focus on providing sufficient documentation of experience relevant to health innovation.
•CV: Applicants should include an updated copy of their curriculum vitae.

Applicants may be called for an interview. The interview normally takes 20-30 minutes and includes a review of the applicant's portfolio and application documentation.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than two years prior to application):
Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:
•Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
•Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
•TOEFL – 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based)
•IELTS – Minimum score of 6.5 with no less than 6 in any one component
•English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
•GCE 'O' level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
•University of Cambridge ESOL –Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English - Grade A
•GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.

Duration

1 year full-time. MSDEHWTFAD

Further enquiries

For further information contact:

Course Director: Dr Louise Kiernan
Email: louise.kiernan@ul.ie
Tel:353 (61)233686
Web www.ul.ie

Subjects taught

Programme Content

The Masters will be delivered in a design studio environment, cultivating a culture of creativity, peer learning and transdisciplinary exploration. The core design modules will be based on project work that centres on collaboration, human centred design and contemporary design processes.

Autumn Semester
•Fundamentals of Regulatory Affairs
•Entrepreneurship – Establishing International Ventures
•Design Research
•Introductory Anatomy and Physiology

Spring Semester
•Human Factors in Health Systems
•Introduction to Health and Health Promotion
•Ideation and Representation
•Concept Development and Evaluation

Summer Semester
•Design Project (30 credits)

Students will work across domains and at the borders of design and other disciplines. The approach will be based on real-world challenges linked with industry and community partners. Through this real-world approach students will learn to identify opportunities and innovate solutions that have a positive impact on individual, as well as public, health and wellbeing. Foundation knowledge in design processes build to specific expertise as applied to the are as health and wellbeing. The curriculum focuses on experimentation, exploration to develop critical thinking, independent learning and an ability to bring new processes and thinking to this emergent global area.

Application date

Application Deadlines

Taught Programmes
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basies but specific programmes have individual closing dates which can be found on our on-line prospectus

Research Programmes
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for research programmes. The applications for Research programmes are review each month by the Postgraduate Research Committee.