User Experience and Service Design

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a degree (with at least 2ii Honours standard) or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior learning.

The course interlinks the domains of: User Experience Design, Service Design and Design-Thinking. Students first explore aspects of each before selecting a personal focus during Semester 2.

The specific requirements for admission are detailed below:

i) Applicants should normally hold a good honours degree in design practice or cognate subject from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council of National Academic Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard.

ii) Applications are welcomed from diverse backgrounds however where there is a discipline shift the applicant must represent a coherent rationale for this shift and evidence prerequisite understanding and skills/experience (see below).

iii) Interview by portfolio and proposal. Portfolios must be digital but multiple file types are acceptable (e.g., .pdfs, .docx, .pptx, .jpegs, etc.). Portfolios may also take a variety of forms. For example, if applicants come from a non-design background (e.g., the social sciences), they may use the portfolio to demonstrate research competencies or outline a series of possible projects.

The programme is devised specifically to support continuing lifelong learning for professions in a rapidly changing field. Therefore APL (Accreditation for Prior Learning) will be considered as evidence of exceptional ability appropriate to recruitment to the programme. Applications from professionals with extensive professional, industrial and/or commercial experience but lacking recent or higher level academic qualifications will be encouraged. APL (Advanced Prior Learning) will be considered as evidence of exceptional ability appropriate to the course.

(The University regularly ‘refreshes’ courses to make sure they are as up-to-date as possible. In addition it undertakes formal periodic review of courses in a process called 'revalidation’ to ensure that they continue to meet standards and are current and relevant. This course will be revalidated in the near future and it is possible that there will be some changes to the course as described in this prospectus.)

Months of entry

September

Course content

Imagine a world where every interaction with a digital product or service is seamless, intuitive, and delightful. The MDes User Experience and Service Design course is your gateway to mastering the art of creating exceptional user experiences across various digital platforms and services.

On the course you will dive deep into understanding user behaviour, designing content that captivates, and crafting services that exceed expectations. Through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, you will learn to use design thinking as a powerful tool to solve complex problems.

From wireframing to prototyping, you will have the opportunity to both develop and hone your skills in translating ideas into tangible solutions. In addition, you will explore the intricate relationship between technology and psychology, ensuring that every touchpoint resonates with users on a deep level.

What sets our program apart is its focus on real-world applications. Collaborating with industry partners, you can tackle authentic challenges, gaining invaluable experience that transcends the classroom.

The course is run by seasoned professionals and supported by industry professionals who are ready to guide you towards becoming visionaries in user-centric design and research.

By the end of this journey, you will emerge not just as a designer or researcher, but as a strategic thinker who can shape the future of digital experiences and services. Join us at Ulster University and embark on a transformative adventure where creativity meets functionality, and where your passion for design and research finds its true purpose.

Through ongoing development during the course, students are able to identify themselves with a variety of outcomes:

Become a Designer – Thrive as part of in-house or agency teams or as a self-employed creative.

Pursue Design Research – Join in-house or agency teams, or lead academic research as a PhD student.

Emerge as a Designer Leader – Propel your career towards business leadership or strategic thinking in the creative industries.

Information for international students

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.