Human-Computer Interaction MSc
Our MSc in Human-Computer Interaction will give you the skills to create, design and develop engaging interactive digital technologies from apps to immersive environments.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a cross-disciplinary practice in the field of computing. It combines understanding people (drawing on social sciences and psychology) with the design of technology (using practices from art/design, computing and engineering).
You'll be suitable for this Human-Computer Interaction master's if you’re from technical and non-technical backgrounds, including:
- computer science, design, and psychology graduates
- former teachers, artists, and professionals from a range of backgrounds
You’ll gain the professional and technical skills to work in careers such as:
- user experience (UX) researcher / designer / consultant
- interaction designer
- usability engineer
- research (via a PhD)
Throughout the Human-Computer Interaction master's you'll learn the principles of human-centred design and how to design better products for human experiences. You'll also build an understanding of how using digital technologies can impact people at an individual, group or societal level.
Our MSc is taught by staff from a world-leading HCI research lab within the School of Computing called Open Lab.
Open Lab specialises in digital social innovation. This is sometimes known as ‘Tech 4 Good’. Open Lab and the wider School of Computing build on a vast range of research partnerships across both industry and public sector organisations including:
- the BBC
- Microsoft
- Barnardos
- the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- numerous other charities and NGOs
These organisations offer rich opportunities for enhancing your learning through:
- invited talks
- collaborative dissertation projects
- career-building activities
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Important information
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Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
Through compulsory and optional modules you'll:
- learn the principles of human-centred design
- build an understanding of the impact of digital technologies
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
If you have limited programming experience on entry, you are required to take Introduction to Software Development.
How you'll learn
The MSc in Human-Computer Interaction is a one-year full time course, based on the Newcastle campus and delivered by the School of Computing. It includes:
- seminars
- lectures
- practical classes
- group and individual project work
- guided independent reading
- self-directed learning
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Design or creative project
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written exercise
You'll complete a dissertation research project in the second half of the course. You'll have regular meetings with your project supervisor. They will help you to develop the specialist skills needed to complete your research project.
You'll be part of a close-knit cohort of fellow students. You'll also be part of a vibrant HCI community of over 80 staff, researchers and students within Open Lab. They'll help support your learning.
Our students have gone on to create a number of innovative digital technologies that have considerable real-world impact. They've worked with:
- community-led initiatives
- the public sector
- global NGOs
- local citizens
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
The programme is supported by academics at the School of Computing and is closely aligned with Open Lab. All our academics who work in HCI have international reputations for their contributions to the field and many have experience as practitioners in industry. You can find out more about Open Lab’s academic team on the Open Lab website.
Dr Jan Smeddinck, Degree Programme Director
Jan is a Lecturer in Digital Health at Open Lab in the School of Computing, with expertise and research interests in interaction design, serious games, web technologies, human computing, and machine learning. He has previously held research positions in the US and Germany. Jan is currently leading the Digital Devices and Technology strand of the €42million IDEA-FAST project.
Your development
The MSc in Human-Computer Interaction is a one-year full time course, based on the Newcastle campus and delivered by the School of Computing. It includes:
- seminars
- lectures
- practical classes
- group and individual project work
- guided independent reading
- self-directed learning
Your future
Careers
The Human-Computer Interaction master's prepares you for a wide range of careers such as:
- user experience (UX) researcher / designer / consultant
- interaction designer
- usability engineer
- research (via a PhD)
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You'll have access to a range of facilities including:
- workshops
- a design space
- a MakerSpace so you can build and test your own interactive products
We have:
- 3D printers
- a laser cutter
- open-source hardware platforms (Arduino etc)
- crafting materials
- other items to help you learn to be creative with technology
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Admissions Secretary
School of Computing
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 2736
Email: Computing.Admissions@ncl.ac.uk
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