Human-Computer Interaction MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Northumbria University

Program Overview

The MSc in Human-Computer Interaction at Northumbria University trains students to design, prototype and evaluate user-centred digital systems. It suits graduates from computing, design, psychology or related fields who want careers in UX design, interaction design, usability research or human-factors roles.

Curriculum Structure (Full-time, 1 Year)

Students begin with modules such as Introduction to HCI and UX, Technologies for HCI, and Interaction/UX Design Methods, learning core principles of usability, user-centred design and the technologies behind interactive systems.
They then move into applied modules like Research Methods, Prototyping, and advanced UX practices, where they conduct user research, build interactive prototypes and evaluate user experience.
The year concludes with a Major Project/Dissertation, in which students design, build and test a complete interactive system or UX solution, demonstrating both research and design competence.

Focus areas: “User-centred design, UX evaluation, interaction design, prototyping, research methods, accessibility, inclusive design, HCI project.”

Learning outcomes: “Ability to design and prototype interfaces, conduct usability testing, apply human-centred design principles, integrate technology and design, and complete an independent HCI research or design project.”

Professional alignment: Designed for careers in UX/UI design, usability engineering, interaction design, product design, user research and human-factors roles across tech, design and digital industries.

Reputation (employability): Known for strong computing and design strengths, Northumbria University produces graduates who are well-prepared for UX and HCI roles in industry, research labs, design consultancies and technology companies.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MSc Human-Computer Interaction at Northumbria University provides practical skills in designing, prototyping, and evaluating interactive systems. Students apply user-centred design methods using professional tools in dedicated studio and lab environments.

Key experiential components:

Software & Tools: Design and prototyping using industry tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch, alongside usability testing software, eye-tracking analysis platforms, and qualitative data analysis tools.
Dedicated Facilities: Access to Northumbria's User Experience (UX) Lab and Interaction Design Studio, equipped with eye-trackers, usability testing suites, motion capture technology, and collaborative prototyping spaces.
Group Projects: Core collaborative design studio projects, often involving live briefs from industry, where multidisciplinary teams follow an iterative design process to research, prototype, and evaluate an interactive product or service.
Research-Informed Practice: The curriculum is connected to Northumbria's Department of Computer and Information Sciences research. The final major project involves the design and evaluation of a significant HCI system, resulting in a professional portfolio piece.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Northumbria University's MSc Human-Computer Interaction secure roles as UX researchers, interaction designers, usability engineers, and service designers across tech companies, consultancies, digital agencies, and public sector organisations, creating inclusive and innovative digital experiences:

Careers Service provides CV workshops, portfolio development, industry networking events, and graduate development programmes with access to modern facilities for practical skill-building.
Strong employability in growing HCI/UX sectors; competitive salaries reflecting demand for human-centred design expertise.
Partnerships with organisations like Red Cross enable real-world projects in accessibility, participatory design, and social media analysis.
Industry-standard skills in usability testing, user-centred design, and ethical AI support certifications for senior HCI leadership.
Excellent outcomes in UX/UI design, human factors engineering, research consultancies, or tech innovation.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue PhD in human-computer interaction, accessibility design, or AI ethics at Northumbria/other institutions, extending capstone projects on multi-modal interfaces or ethical computing into advanced research.