User Experience Engineering MSc

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

City University of London

Program Overview

The MSc User Experience Engineering at City, University of London equips students to design, evaluate, and engineer technologies that truly fit users’ needs — blending human-centred design, computing, and research. It is ideal for students who want to shape how people interact with digital systems and emerging technologies, ensuring they are usable, inclusive, and aligned with real human behaviours and capabilities.

Curriculum structure

Core Study

Students begin by building solid foundations through modules such as Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction, which prepares them to conduct rigorous user-research and evaluation studies; and Human Factors, exploring how human perception, psychology, and physiology affect interaction with technology — critical for effective UX design.
Experiencing AI examines how AI-powered systems shape user journeys, including ethical, social, and usability considerations. Modules like Computing the User Experience and Low-Code for UX bridge design thinking and technical implementation, enabling rapid prototyping and iteration based on user feedback. AI for UX Professionals addresses how emerging AI tools can support research, design, and evaluation while highlighting ethical and technical challenges.

Optional / Elective Modules and Project Work

Students select electives to tailor their degree. Options include Data Visualisation to communicate user-research insights, or Virtual Reality Development to explore immersive UX design. Other choices include Interaction Design, Inclusive Design, or Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship, depending on career interests.
The degree culminates in a substantial Individual Project, either research-led or practice-based, which can include real-world collaborations or building functional UX solutions. This project often serves as a key portfolio piece for future employment.

Focus areas

Human-computer interaction; human factors and ergonomics; AI-enhanced UX; user-centred design and research; rapid prototyping and low-code development; inclusive design and accessibility; immersive/VR interfaces; data visualisation for UX; bridging design, technology, and user wellbeing.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to research, design, and evaluate technology-mediated systems grounded in human needs; build usable and inclusive digital products; integrate AI and modern computing with human-centred design; prototype and test real-world solutions; communicate UX insights effectively using data visualisation and design documentation; and manage end-to-end UX workflows from concept to deployment.

Professional alignment (accreditation / career prospects)

This MSc prepares students for roles such as UX researcher, UX designer, UX engineer/developer, product manager, usability/accessibility specialist, or information architect in sectors including software, digital services, healthcare tech, fintech, and education. The programme’s emphasis on project work and industry collaboration helps students build a professional portfolio, making graduates highly employable in competitive UX and product design markets.

Reputation (employability & outcomes)

City’s MSc in User Experience Engineering combines computing, design, and human factors to deliver a comprehensive and modern UX-focused programme. Its practical, project-based structure, exposure to emerging technologies, and real-world challenges provide strong employability outcomes and flexibility across multiple sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MSc is designed around real, applied UX engineering work, combining design, research, development, and evaluation so you build usable, inclusive technology with a strong user focus. Through labs, projects, and industry collaboration, students learn modern human-computer interaction (HCI) and UX skills in realistic environments.

Key practical and experiential components:

Dedicated User Experience Lab with cutting-edge tools including biometric and neurological sensors, eye-gaze tracking, audiovisual recording, and immersive/extended-reality hardware for detailed user behavior studies and usability testing.
Emphasis on research methods in HCI and human factors, practicing rigorous user studies, data collection, and analysis.
Modules like “Computing the User Experience” and “Low Code for UX” allow you to design, prototype, and build interactive systems, bridging design and development.
Practice-based projects and external partnerships provide real-world UX challenges, helping you create portfolio-ready work.
A substantial individual project (dissertation or placement-based) enables either research or practical UX solution delivery in real conditions.

What you’ll study — blending design, technology, and human-centred thinking

Core modules:

Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction — planning and running human-centred experiments.
Human Factors — studying human perceptual, cognitive, and biomechanical traits for better system design.
Experiencing AI — evaluating ethical, social, and usability aspects of AI-enhanced systems.
Low Code for UX — bridging UX design and software engineering via rapid prototyping.
Computing the User Experience — translating user needs into practical, interactive solutions.
AI for UX Professionals — integrating AI tools into UX workflows for smarter design and prototyping.

Electives include Data Visualisation, Virtual Reality Development, Interaction Design, Inclusive Design, and Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship, allowing you to tailor the degree to immersive UX, accessibility, or entrepreneurial applications. The programme culminates in an individual project integrating learning into a practical UX deliverable or research dissertation.

Career Prospects & Why This Degree Matters

Graduates are prepared for a wide variety of UX- and design-oriented roles:

UX Designer, UX Researcher, UX Engineer
Product Manager, Information Architect, Usability or Accessibility Specialist
Roles in technology, healthcare, education, public services, and creative industries
Opportunities for further study or research (e.g., PhD in HCI or UX research)

The programme’s focus on AI, low-code tools, immersive/VR, and human-factors research ensures graduates are highly sought-after in global UX design and innovation roles.

Why This Degree Could Be a Great Fit for You

Provides a globally relevant skillset in human-centred design, technology, AI, and research.
Practical orientation (lab work, real projects, prototyping, optional placement) builds a strong portfolio and hands-on experience.
Flexible electives in immersive experiences, data visualisation, and inclusive design let you focus on your career interests.
Studying in London offers exposure to a vibrant tech and creative industry, with potential networking, internship, or placement opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc User Experience Engineering emerge ready to work in a variety of roles shaping how people experience technology — a field in growing demand globally. Typical roles include UX Designer, UX Researcher, UX Consultant, Product Manager, Usability or Accessibility Specialist, Information Architect, and UX Developer.

Opportunities and strengths you get through the course:

Strong industry relevance and employability support: The programme includes a professional placement option, providing real-world experience and industry connections.
Practical, industry-aligned skills: Training in human factors, UX research, AI for UX, prototyping, and development equips graduates with a competitive skill set for software, product design, tech, and services roles across multiple sectors.
Versatile sector applicability: UX skills are needed in almost every sector — from healthcare to fintech, education to entertainment, public services to start-ups — giving graduates flexibility in choosing their domain.
International and interdisciplinary cohort: Exposure to diverse global perspectives enhances understanding of cross-cultural user needs and broadens professional opportunities.
Solid academic and technical foundation: The combination of research skills, design thinking, technical development, and ethical/social awareness ensures graduates are equipped for evolving demands in human-centered design and human–computer interaction.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the MSc, you could:

Enter directly into the UX/design industry in roles such as UX Researcher, Designer, Product Manager, Usability or Accessibility Specialist, or UX Consultant.
Pursue doctoral-level or research-oriented study in Human–Computer Interaction (HCI), cognitive computing, human factors, UX research, inclusive design, or related fields for an academic or advanced research career.
Combine UX expertise with fields like data science, AI, product design, or service design to move into leadership, product strategy, or innovation roles across tech, healthcare, public services, or creative industries.

Why This Degree Could Be the Right Fit for You

If you are fascinated by how humans interact with technology and want to shape that experience using a mix of design, research, engineering, and ethics, this MSc is an excellent choice. It provides both technical and human-centered thinking skills, preparing you to make technology more usable, inclusive, and meaningful. The programme also offers versatility for roles in software, product design, accessibility, and research, ensuring strong employability prospects.