This innovative course will prepare you for a career in interdisciplinary, collaborative teams in user experience design and research industries.
Year of entry: 2020/21
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Find out moreThis is a highly innovative degree which will equip you for a career in industry and research in our increasingly digitised and connected world.
This course is designed for you if you possess a strong background principally in computer science, design, or information technology and want to gain expertise and industry relevant practical skills in iterative, user-centred approaches for designing positive user experiences (UX) with interactive technology.
The course emphasises design that is driven from a deep understanding of users, through the use of qualitative and quantitative research techniques drawn from the diverse fields of cognitive psychology, computer science, sociology and beyond. You will gain expertise and skills in eliciting and analysing the goals of potential users, designing usable and inclusive user journeys, and evaluating the quality of user experiences with interactive technologies: all skills in demand in modern, UX related careers or in postgraduate study.
The course is also suitable if you are seeking to develop a more research-based career, as it provides breadth in an expanding and thriving research field, and the opportunity to specialise in particular areas through an independent research project.
When you are awarded the MSc in Human-Centred Interactive technologies you will automatically meet some of the conditions for profession engineering status in the UK. This course is recognised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology for partial fulfillment of the CEng, and by the BCS for partial fulfillment of the CEng and the CITP Further Learning.
Our staff are at the cutting edge of their fields and we maintain strong links with industry.
In the Times Higher Education's assessment of the 2014 REF, our research ranked 7th overall in the UK, 5th for impact and 6th for environment.
On the course you will undertake four modules, two in the Autumn term and two in the Spring term worth a total of 80 credits. The modules comprise a mixture of lectures, practical classes, and seminars, plus a significant amount of personal study time.
Following the modules, you will undertake a six-month individual study module with assessed dissertation worth 100 credits.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
The independent study module extends over the summer term and summer vacation period and gives you the opportunity to explore a topic in depth.
In order to undertake the independent study module, you will discuss and agree a topic with academic members of staff. You will have the opportunity to pick a topic that suits your interests and abilities. Your project will contribute new knowledge to the field of human-centered interactive technologies, or apply existing theories and design practice to novel domains.
Examples of previous projects include:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
The lecturers are all exceptional. They are very approachable and the group dynamic lends itself well to extending teaching beyond the classroom. Informal chats outside of class have helped me to put abstract ideas into focus and I have always felt that the lecturers treat us as peers rather than students.Jonathan, MSc in Human-Centred Interactive Technologies
| Study mode | UK/EU | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £9,010 | £22,720 |
Students on a Tier 4 Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK/EU or international student.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to courses
We're making changes to comply with rules on social distancing. We aim to deliver as much face-to-face teaching as we can, supported by high quality online alternatives where we must.
Find details of the measures we're planning to protect our community.
You will be taught via a mixture of lectures, practical classes, seminars, and a significant amount of personal study time.
You will have a personal tutor and will be part of a tutorial group, usually comprising five or fewer students. Your personal tutor provides academic and pastoral advice throughout your course.
When you undertake your individual project, you will be allocated a supervisor within your area of interest.
Built to the highest specifications, the department is packed with cutting-edge facilities housed in a modern, self-contained building.
The department houses four software labs and two hardware labs.
Our Interaction Labs provide excellent facilities for research and teaching in human-computer interaction and user experiment. The Interaction Labs consist of an Accessibility and Usability Lab a Games Research Lab, and the HomeLab (comprising a living room and a fully functioning kitchen) all of which are stocked with the latest technologies.
Find out more about our facilities, including a video tour, showing our labs, teaching and research spaces.
Computer Science is based on Campus East. The majority of teaching on this course takes place on Campus East in the Computer Science building and Ron Cooke Hub.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
The taught modules on this course are examined by open assessments. The assessment paper is published at the end of the week of teaching, and you will be required to submit your answers typically four weeks later. This type of assessment allows you to engage with the research literature and gives us the chance to assess your practical skills.
Once you have successfully completed the taught modules, you will undertake an extensive individual project. Here you will work on a topic relevant to human-centred interactive technologies, and document the results in a dissertation.
Assessments will take place at various times during the year. Practical exercises, reports and other forms of open assessment will be due either during the course module or just after its completion.
Graduates completing the course will be equipped to play leading and professional roles related to the design and evaluation of interactive technologies in industry, commerce, academia and public service. The MSc in Human-Centred Interactive Technologies is also intended to provide a route into a PhD or research in this rapidly expanding field.
Discussing my time at York and my MSc in my Capgemini interview was a definite advantage, as it put me a step ahead of the rest.Alex, MSc in Human-Centred Interactive Technologies, 2011
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent in Computer Science or an appropriate discipline related to human-computer interaction, or equivalent industrial experience |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, minimum 169 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
| Duolingo | Minimum overall score of 110 |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current IELTS scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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