Course information

Department

Computing

Length

1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Course overview

This innovative programme will explore how people experience the world, particularly when using technology. You'll learn how each layer of technology, from core hardware through to the way that media is handled, can affect user experience and gain the skills for researching user requirements and designing the best solutions.

A user’s experience of technology depends on the design and engineering choices that influence their interactions. Emerging and future technologies will exceed the capabilities available today, so our experts will give you the research skills needed to exploit and design new possibilities for the benefit of users that are fit for the relevant market.

The importance of human-computer interaction and good interface design is increasingly recognised as the key to the future of successful tech development. User-centric software and hardware continue to evolve and are becoming more important in product design as technological breakthroughs drive innovation. The ability to select and implement the appropriate technologies to deliver usable and satisfying solutions will address a current skill shortage and will equip students with in-demand vocational skills.

Why study MSc User Experience Engineering

  • This specialist masters degree provides more focused employment possibilities than a more general computing programme
  • This degree consolidates a variety of topics that may be available as short professional courses but provides a clear framework within which to use the UX skills and knowledge while providing sufficient time to think deeply about the underlying UX principles
  • You'll learn to design and produce computing-based systems and solutions that have been validated to meet the functional requirements of users, be accessible and inclusive, and provide users with a satisfying user experience
  • A variety of optional modules in advanced technologies and psychology means you can choose a path that emphasises the career of your choice
  • You will have access to the specialist UX lab with a variety of user measurement tools such as eye-gaze tracking, muscle movement and brain activity
  • The vocational nature of the programme gives you the option to complete a field study thesis project as an alternative to the conventional academic thesis
  • Through presentation and demonstration of your work, we'll prepare you to enter a field of work characterised by the agile approach and team working within multi-disciplinary cohorts
  • You'll benefit from the expertise of the Department of Computing, as well as drawing on the knowledge of staff in the Department of Psychology and the Institute of Management Studies (IMS)
  • Guest Lectures and Field Project modules will introduce you to the professional aspects of working as a UX designer, researcher or engineer and hearing from industry professionals will give you an insight into what it's like to work in the field

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Nicolas Hine.

What you'll study

Compulsory modules

All students will take the following modules:

Module title Credits
Computing the User Experience 15 credits
Introduction to Research Methods 15 credits
Interaction Science 15 credits
Human Factors 15 credits
Applied Topics/Guest Lectures 15 credits
Designing Information & Services 15 credits

As well as one of the following thesis projects:

Module title Credits
Academic Project 60 credits
or
Field Project 60 credits

Optional modules

You will choose one or two optional modules to the value of 30 credits from a list provided annually by the department. Recent modules have included:

Module title Credits
Marketing Strategy 15 credits
Physical Computing 15 credits
Workshops in Creative Coding 1 15 credits
Digital Sandbox 30 credits
Augmented and Mixed Realities 15 credits
Interactive Data Visualisation 15 credits
Workshops in Creative Coding 2 15 credits
Critical Social Media Practices 15 credits
Cognitive Neuroscience 15 credits

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in computing, psychology, design or related disciplines, and an interest in and capability for working in interdisciplinary contexts.

In exceptional circumstances, outstanding practitioners or individuals with strong commercial experience may be considered.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 overall and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £12520
  • Home - part-time: £6260
  • International - full-time: £18560

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your academic qualifications
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
  • Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
  • personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

Find out more about applying.

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