Human-Computer Interaction and Design with Extended Reality - ICT Innovation (EIT Digital Master School), Master of Science (Technology)
Espoo, Finland
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee only; EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not pay
Key Summary
About: HCID/XR (EIT Digital) is a double-degree MSc in human-computer interaction and extended reality, teaching user-centred design for interactive, immersive systems across two countries. The two-year, 120 ECTS programme combines a 60 ECTS Major, 30 ECTS Innovation & Entrepreneurship minor, and 30 ECTS thesis. Aalto offers Cross-Device Interaction and practical projects with Unity and Flutter. Admissions and scholarships are run by EIT Digital; Aalto charges no tuition and awards no Aalto scholarships for EIT Digital students.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as UX designer, XR developer, HCI/UX researcher, product manager, business developer, consultant, in games, e-learning, entertainment or launch startups.
HCID/XR (ICT Innovation / EIT Digital Master School) is an interdisciplinary, double-degree master’s programme focused on user-centred design for interactive and immersive systems. Studies are carried out at two universities in two countries (EIT Digital double degree). The two-year programme totals 120 ECTS: a Major (60 ECTS), an Innovation & Entrepreneurship minor (30 ECTS), and a Master’s thesis (30 ECTS).
Students study foundation courses (see curriculum) and specialise in second-year exit options; Aalto offers a specialisation in Cross-Device Interaction in XR (designing XR experiences that interoperate with desktops, mobile and other platforms). The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical projects using industry-standard tools (examples given include Unity and Flutter). Admissions and scholarships are handled via the EIT Digital Master School; Aalto itself does not charge tuition for students admitted through EIT Digital and does not award Aalto scholarships to those students.
Graduates qualify for roles in international and local organisations in technical and business positions, including:
- User experience (UX) or interaction designer
- UX Architect
- Usability engineer
- XR Interaction designer
- XR Application developer
- VR/AR Game developer
- HCI / UX Research in XR
- Business developer
- Product manager
- Consultant
Graduates can work in companies providing value-added products/services (games, e-learning, web development, entertainment) or start their own companies offering product/technology development, media content, business development, or consultancy services.
The programme is a two-year (120 ECTS) double-degree track. Structure:
- Major: 60 ECTS (HCID/XR advanced studies)
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship minor: 30 ECTS
- Master’s thesis: 30 ECTS
The first year includes foundation courses common to HCID entry-point universities: Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction; Introduction to Virtual Reality; User-Centred Design Methods; Programming of Interactive Systems; Evaluation Techniques; Multidisciplinary Design Project. The second year is spent on a chosen specialisation/exit programme (Aalto offers Cross-Device Interaction in XR).
Students admitted to the ICT Innovation (EIT Digital Master School) HCID/XR track are eligible for scholarships and liable for tuition fees according to EIT Digital's tuition fee and scholarship scheme. Students admitted via EIT Digital are not liable for paying tuition fees to Aalto University and are not eligible for Aalto University scholarships.