Interaction Design and Technologies, MSc
Chalmers University of Technology
Key Information
Campus location
Gothenburg, Sweden
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
Interaction Design and Technologies, MSc
From our careers and social lives, to shopping and entertainment, human life increasingly takes place online, mediated through digital applications and services. This programme will give you the opportunity to play a vital part in building the next generation of applications, those which may come to define how we live and work in the coming decades.
As interactions between humans and machines become ever more deeply embedded in our daily lives, they need to be refined, improved and made as effective as possible. A system, product or application that is simply functional or efficient is no longer enough — there must also be consideration of human factors, such as ethics, sustainability and accessibility. Are they pleasurable to use, or fun, or intriguing? When working with entertainment or educational products, you might even wish for the experience to be challenging, frustrating, or provocative.
Interaction design is the process of designing precisely these kinds of user experiences, and this Master's programme is intended for those with a keen interest in how humans interact with technology. The programme therefore attracts students from a wide range of educational backgrounds, from computer science, software engineering and cognitive science, to design — in all its many forms.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships are a great source of funding for Master's students who are liable to pay tuition fees. Some of these are administrated by Chalmers and others by external institutions. Additional scholarships may be appended to the list and applicants are therefore encouraged to check this webpage regularly.
Please visit the university website for more information.
Curriculum
Compulsory courses year 1
During the first year the programme starts with three compulsory courses that form a common foundation in Interaction design and technologies. Each course is usually 7.5 credits.
Compulsory courses year 2
In the second year you complete a master's thesis in order to graduate. The thesis may be worth 30 credits or 60 credits depending on your choice. You also take the compulsory capstone course Interaction Design Project.
Program Outcome
Credits: 120
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
As an interaction designer, you can work in any industry and any company or other organization that develops digital applications, systems, or machines that interact with a human. Interaction designers can be found in any software company, as well as in the game industry, or in companies that combine hardware and software in products such as cars, kitchen equipment and smartphones. Other key areas include web design, information visualization, artistic applications such as interactive installations and live performances, and design of online services such as webshops and online banking.
Large companies such as Volvo, ABB, Google, and Microsoft are of course a place where you often find interaction designers (or UX designers which is a popular title at the moment), but you can also find work at non-profit organizations or governmental institutions. Other potential employers are start-up companies or smaller companies developing new and innovative solutions, for example in the gaming industry or in virtual reality providers. You can also work as an engineer and designer in interactive art projects and performances.