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PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Final

PART 1: COURSE SUMMARY INFORMATION

Course summary

Final award MSc User Experience Design

PgDip User Experience Design

PgCert User Experience Design

Intermediate award PgDip User Experience Design

PgCert User Experience Design

Course status Validated

Awarding body University of Brighton

School Computing, Engineering & Mathematics

Location of study/ campus Moulsecoomb

Partner institution(s)

Name of institution Host department Course status

1. SELECT

2.

3.

Admissions

Admissions agency Direct to School

Entry requirements Include any progression opportunities into the course.

Check the University’s website for current entry requirements.

Normally, a good honours degree in a relevant discipline,

i.e. those including substantial elements of computing, psychology, information design or product design. For appropriate candidates without an honours degree, entry to the course will normally involve an interview.

For non-native speakers of English IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the university's Language Institute: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/international/study-with-us/courses-and-qualifications/brighton-language-institute/eap-programmes/extended-masters/index.aspx

Start date (mmm-yy) Normally September

Full-time September and part-time September and February. Part-time February starters will be offered the diet of optional modules available during semester 2. These students will study alongside full-time students who have chosen the same options. Part-time February starters can choose the compulsory and mandatory modules from the following September onwards.

https://www.brighton.ac.uk/international/study-with-us/courses-and-qualifications/brighton-language-institute/eap-programmes/extended-masters/index.aspx




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Mode of study

Mode of study Duration of study (standard) Maximum registration period

Full-time Other: 13 months 6 years

Part-time 2 years 6 years

Sandwich Select Select

Distance Select Select

Course codes/categories

UCAS code

Contacts

Course Leader (or Course Development Leader)

Andrew L BLAKE

Admissions Tutor Andrew L Blake

Examination and Assessment

External Examiner(s)

Name Place of work Date tenure expires

Mr Gavin Sim University of Central Lancashire

31/12/2022

Examination Board(s) (AEB/CEB)

Computing Postgraduate AEB/CEB

Approval and review

Approval date Review date

Validation March 20101 May 20152

Programme Specification January 20203 January 20214

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 1 (if applicable): BCS

2013 Most recent accreditation May 2016. Next accreditation May 20205

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 2 (if applicable):

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 3 (if applicable):

1 Date of original validation. 2 Date of most recent periodic review (normally academic year of validation + 5 years). 3 Month and year this version of the programme specification was approved (normally September). 4 Date programme specification will be reviewed (normally approval date + 1 year). If programme specification is applicable to a particular cohort, please state here. 5 Date of most recent review by accrediting/ approving external body.

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PART 2: COURSE DETAILS

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims

The aims of the course are:

For the Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma awards;

A001 to develop the student's knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of human computer interaction and design for interactive products in a range of application areas

A002 to encourage innovation and creativity in interactive design

A003 to develop the student's awareness of, and ability to incorporate, current research and development work in interactive design

A004 to serve as an induction medium to encourage students to become acquainted with, identify with and become integrated into the appropriate professional communities

A005 to provide the opportunity for students to share their experiences and to learn from the experiences of others

A006 to develop the student's knowledge, understanding and skills in such a way that the student is better equipped to study further areas within their field

For the Postgraduate Certificate award;

A007 to allow the student to demonstrate the ability to learn and operate at master’s level within the user experience design area.

Learning outcomes

The outcomes of the main award provide information about how the primary aims are demonstrated by students following the course. These are mapped to external reference points where appropriate6.

Knowledge and theory LO1 develop a critical understanding of the theories underpinning interactive design

LO2 critically apply theories of interactive design in practice

LO3 plan and manage an interactive design project from conception to implementation

LO4 apply an analysis of the market environment to the design of an interactive product

LO5 appraise existing and developing technologies for interactive system design and production, and choose appropriate technologies for particular products

LO6 analyse user requirements and specify designs for interactive systems

LO7 communicate design ideas effectively using a range of techniques

LO8 evaluate designs for interactive systems with respect to usability, accessibility, acceptability and similar criteria.

LO9 apply interactive design skills and techniques within a larger development project

LO10 demonstrate in-depth knowledge of developments in non-desktop applications, e.g. mobile, ubiquitous and wearable systems

Skills Includes intellectual skills (i.e. generic skills relating to academic study, problem solving, evaluation, research

LO11 Make effective use of research literature

LO12 Reflect on their current practice with a view to continuous improvement

LO13 Communicate, share and critique designs for interactive systems

LO14 Collaborate effectively with professionals from other disciplines

6 Please refer to Course Development and Review Handbook or QAA website for details.

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etc.) and professional/ practical skills.

LO15 Use, advocate and promulgate current best practice in user-centred design in a professional context

LO16 apply knowledge and skills of interactive design to novel interaction paradigms

LO17 make effective use of a broad range of design methods both established and new

LO18 Demonstrate the ability to work at masters level; typically the student will demonstrate the ability to evaluate current user experience design development techniques and technologies and their implications, and select an appropriate approach to solve a problem

LO19 Demonstrate the ability to be an independent learner

LO20 Demonstrate the ability of critical thinking and the ability to apply learning in practice.

These aims and objectives fulfil the requirements stated in the Descriptor for a Masters Degree, as shown in the QAA publication - The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – January 2001: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/EWNI/default.asp

QAA subject benchmark statement (where applicable)7

This course conforms with the ‘QAA Subject Benchmark Statement: Master’s Degrees in Computing 2011’ available at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Masters-degree-computing.pdf

PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY AND REGULATORY BODIES (where applicable)

Where a course is accredited by a PSRB, full details of how the course meets external requirements, and what students are required to undertake, are included.

Accredited by British Computer Society, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional, conditional on studying module ISM105 The Business and the Information System.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Learning and teaching methods

This section sets out the primary learning and teaching methods, including total learning hours and any specific requirements in terms of practical/ clinical-based learning. The indicative list of learning and teaching methods includes information on the proportion of the course delivered by each method and details where a particular method relates to a particular element of the course.

The course has been designed to meet the needs of:

Students wishing to complete a Masters award via 13 months full time study

Computing or design practitioners who will typically study part-time or in CPD mode

In order to provide a flexible programme, the taught modules have been designed with as few dependencies as possible. As far as possible, each module is stand-alone and available for study as a CVE/CPD course.

Taught modules are delivered by weekly lectures, tutorials and/or workshops given over the course of one semester.

Modules are rated in Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points based on one CATS point per ten hours of student effort. Modules are designed in denominations of 10, 20 and 60 CATS points

7 Please refer to the QAA website for details.

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/EWNI/default.asp

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Masters-degree-computing.pdf

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Masters-degree-computing.pdf

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indicating respectively 100, 200 and 600 hours of student effort. A full-time student is expected to put in approximately 40 hours per week on the course.

Education for sustainable development

The University of Brighton is committed to the principles of sustainable development. The products of the digital media industry are intangible, but require material and energy in the form of computers and data networks for their storage and activation. However greater impact on ecological sustainability may be made by the informational content of digital media products through their support for increased efficiency in utilisation of natural resources, or conversely by encouraging increased consumption. The University Sustainability Policy’s Key Principles are inherent in the topics covered and the teaching approach adopted on this course, centred as it is in the ethics based user-centred design approach. The capabilities described in these principles will be developed in students; these are understanding of the digital media industry’s context, critical thinking and problem solving, a participatory, value driven and inter-disciplinary approach, understanding of local circumstances and global implications, and action-orientation. These are all required attributes for the role of digital media producer.

Research informed teaching

This course is delivered by research-active academic staff members of the School’s Interactive Technologies Research Group. Specialist aspects of the curriculum reflect their particular interests. These currently include the application of new media technologies to learning, games and cultural heritage, with special attention paid to accessibility and to user-centric design methods.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment methods

This section sets out the summative assessment methods on the course and includes details on where to find further information on the criteria used in assessing coursework. It also provides an assessment matrix which reflects the variety of modes of assessment, and the volume of assessment in the course.

All modules are assessed using the assessment criteria detailed on the individual modules descriptions, which are linked to the learning outcomes for that module.

The range of assessment methods utilised on the course currently contains:

Portfolio of work with a reflective journal

Design journal

The intermediate & final deliverables of an interaction design with a critical reflection

Report on current research in field relevant to the students specialisation

A developed research plan with a critical review

A research report

Oral presentation

Dissertation

Project with reflective report

Group project portfolio

The majority of modules are assessed by means of individual coursework assignments. This allows the student to schedule the assignment within their overall workload.

The normal pattern for coursework is: The assignment is issued early in the semester. Tutors ensure that students have access to all the resources required to complete the assignment. The normal deadlines for coursework submission are:

For full-time students, by the end of the semester.

For part-time and CPD students three months after the end of the semester.

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Learning Outcome Assessment method Module Number of credits

LO1 develop a critical understanding of the theories underpinning interactive design

Interaction design intermediate & final deliverables 50% + critical reflection 50%

IDM21 20

Interaction design intermediate & final deliverables 70% + critical reflection 30%

IDM22 20

Report on current research in field 20%, plan + review or report 80% + oral presentation

IDM25 20

Dissertation or project and report

IDM90 60

LO2 critically apply theories of interactive design in practice

Design journal IDM21 20

Interaction design intermediate & final deliverables + critical reflection

IDM22 20


IDM90 60

LO3 plan and manage an interactive design project from conception to implementation

Dissertation or project and report IDM90 60

LO4 apply an analysis of the market environment to the design of an interactive product


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM90 60

LO5 appraise existing and developing technologies for interactive system design and production, and choose appropriate technologies for particular products


IDM90 60

LO6 analyse user requirements and specify designs for interactive systems


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM90 60

LO7 communicate design ideas effectively using a range of techniques


IDM21

IDM22

20

20

Report on current research in field + plan, review or report + oral presentation

IDM25 20


IDM90 60

LO8 evaluate designs for interactive systems with respect to usability, accessibility, acceptability and similar criteria.

Design journal


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM90 60

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LO9 apply interactive design skills and techniques within a larger development project


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM90 60

LO10 Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of developments in non-desktop applications, e.g. mobile, ubiquitous and wearable systems.


IDM25 20

LO11 Make effective use of research literature


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM25 20


IDM90 60

LO12 Reflect on their current practice with a view to continuous improvement


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM25 20


IDM90 60

LO13 Communicate, share and critique designs for interactive systems


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM90 60

LO14 Collaborate effectively with professionals from other disciplines


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM90 60

LO15 Use, advocate and promulgate current best practice in user-centred design in a professional context


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM90 60

LO16 Apply knowledge and skills of interactive design to novel interaction paradigms


IDM21

IDM22

20

20

LO17 Make effective use of a broad range of design methods both established and new


IDM21

IDM22

20

20

LO18 Demonstrate the ability to work at masters’ level; typically, the student will demonstrate the ability to evaluate current interactive technologies development techniques and technologies and their implications, and select an


IDM21

IDM22

20

20

Report on current research in field + plan, review or report + oral presentation IDM25 20

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appropriate approach to solve a problem

LO19 Demonstrate the ability to be an independent learner


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM25 20

LO20 Demonstrate the ability of critical thinking and the ability to apply learning in practice


IDM21

IDM22

20

20


IDM25 20

SUPPORT AND INFORMATION

Institutional/ University All students benefit from:

University induction week

Student Handbook: the University and you

Course Handbook

Extensive library facilities

Computer pool rooms

E-mail address

Welfare service

Personal tutor for advice and guidance

Course-specific Additional support, specifically where courses have non-traditional patterns of delivery (e.g. distance learning and work-based learning) include:

In addition, students on this course benefit from:

The CEM computer suite and the course specific material on Studentcentral

The CEM Postgraduate Computing Suite equipped with relevant specialist software including specialist usability evaluation software

Dedicated usability laboratories

Additional resources for this programme include the CETL-funded Creativity Zone.

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PART 3: COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

COURSE STRUCTURE

This section includes an outline of the structure of the programme, including stages of study and progression points. Course Leaders may choose to include a structure diagram here.

The Masters award is achieved through the accumulation of 180 credits of which 120 are normally gained through taught and independent study modules and 60 are gained from the Project. The postgraduate diploma award is achieved through the accumulation of 120 credits normally gained through taught and independent study modules. The post graduate certificate award is achieved through the accumulation of 60 credits normally gained through taught modules; see the award structures diagram below: Compulsory and mandatory modules apply as described below.

Award structures illustrating indicative modules.

Compulsory and Mandatory taught modules

IDM21: Interaction Design & Evaluation Process will be taught in Semester 1 with the follow-on module IDM22: Interface and Information Design, taught in Semester 2. These modules are mandatory for all awards. The project is mandatory for the MSc.

The compulsory module is IDM25: Research Methods.

Optional Modules

Individual optional modules may not be offered in a particular year.

Optional modules offered by other awards may have different patterns of teaching.

Extended Master’s option

The Extended Masters (EMA) for Computing Programmes is approved to run in conjunction with this course.

Modules

Status:

M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award)

C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award)

O = Optional (optional modules)*

A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules)

* Optional modules listed are indicative only and may be subject to change, depending on timetabling and staff availability

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Level8

Module code

Status

Module title Credit

7 IDM05 O Independent Portfolio Project 20

7 IDM12 O Independent Research Project 20

7 IDM18 O Web Development 20

7 IDM04 O Design Thinking 20

7 IDM21 M Interaction Design and Evaluation Process 20

7 IDM22 M Interface and Information Design 20

7 IDM25 C Research Methods 20

7 ISM105 O The Business and the Information System 20

7 IDM90 M Major Project 60

8 All modules have learning outcomes commensurate with the FHEQ levels 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. List the level which corresponds with the learning outcomes of each module.

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AWARD AND CLASSIFICATION

Award type Award* Title Level Eligibility for award Classification of award

Total credits9 Minimum credits10 Ratio of marks11: Class of award

Final MSc User Experience Design 7 Total credit 180 Minimum credit at level of award Other: 180

Level 7 marks Postgraduate degree

Final PgDip User Experience Design 7 Total credit 120 Minimum credit at level of award 120

Level 7 marks Postgraduate (taught) degree

Intermediate PgCert User Experience Design 7 Total credit 60 Minimum credit at level of award 60

Level 7 marks Postgraduate (taught) degree

Select Select Total credit Select Minimum credit at level of award Select

Select Select

Select Select Total credit Select Minimum credit at level of award Select

Select Select

*Foundation degrees only

Progression routes from award:

Award classifications Mark/ band % Foundation deg ee Honours degree Postgraduate12 degree (excludes PGCE and BM BS)

70% - 100% Distinction First (1) Distinction

60% - 69.99% Merit Upper second (2:1) Merit

50% - 59.99% Pass

Lower second (2:2) Pass

40% - 49.99% Third (3)

9 Total number of credits required to be eligible for the award. 10 Minimum number of credits required, at level of award, to be eligible for the award. 11 Algorithm used to determine the classification of the final award (all marks are credit-weighted). For a Masters degree, the mark for the final element (e.g, dissertation) must be in the corresponding class of award. 12 Refers to taught provision: PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters.

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EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS

Please refer to the Course Approval and Review Handbook when completing this section.

The examination and assessment regulations for the course should be in accordance with the University’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses (available from staffcentral or studentcentral).

Specific regulations which materially affect assessment, progression and award on the course e.g. Where referrals or repeat of modules are not permitted in line with the University’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses.

The course regulations are in accordance with the University's General Examination and Assessment Regulations (available from the School Office)

In addition, the following course-specific regulations apply:

To gain an MSc the candidate must obtain 120 credits from taught modules and 60 credits from the project. In addition, normally, the student must not have been reassessed in modules amounting to more than 60 credits.

Awards intended to support specialised areas of application require the student to take appropriate modules designated as compulsory and mandatory.

A maximum of 40 credits (less any credits gained from advanced standing) can be gained by studying suitable units provided by other courses, including units provided by other Faculties or Universities. The Course Leader will determine the suitability of such units according to the following criteria:

the units must be within the broad scope of the interactive technologies field, which may include a specialist domain for which technologies are to be developed, the technologies themselves or the social, business or other context within which development takes place.

the subject matter of the units must have no significant overlap with that of other units contributing to the award.

Where candidates are studying for a specialist award, their Project (IDM90), their research subject (IDM25) and any independent study (IDM05 and IDM12), will normally be within their specialist area. In addition, students on a specialist award are encouraged where possible to develop this specialist orientation in the shared core modules.

Postgraduate Diploma

To gain a Diploma candidates must accumulate 120 credits. In addition, normally, the student must not have been reassessed in taught modules amounting to more than 60 credits. The maximum number of “imported” credits is 40, subject to the criteria specified for the MSc award.

To gain a specialist award, the candidate must accumulate at least 60 credits from the appropriate collection of modules.

Distinction and Merit Awards

In addition to the regulations in GEAR, a student reassessed in more than 40 credits is not normally considered for a distinction in the MSc award or the Postgraduate Diploma award.

Document template revised: 2010 of 13

Postgraduate Certificate

To gain a Certificate candidates must accumulate 60 credits. In addition, normally, the student must not have been reassessed in taught modules amounting to more than 30 credits. The maximum number of “imported” credits is 20, subject to the criteria specified for the MSc award.

Exceptions required by PSRB These require the approval of the Chair of the Academic Board

Recognition of Prior

Learning (RPL)

A student who has completed part of another postgraduate programme may

be admitted to the course with advance standing.

Where prior learning and achievement is at the same or higher level than the

course, it is identified, assessed and formally recognised through the award

of credit (accreditation). Provided that it is clear that a student has fulfilled

some of the progression and assessment requirements of the programme of

study by means other than attendance on the planned programme, the

student may be admitted to any appropriate point in the programme with

academic credit.

Decisions about the equivalence of learning are informed by the intended

learning outcomes of the course/module(s). The evidence provided must

demonstrate how the applicant has previously achieved the learning

outcomes of the module(s) at the appropriate level.

Where learning has been gained through experience e.g. from the workplace,

rather than formally assessed/certificated study, it can be assessed and, as

appropriate, recognised for academic purposes. The learning achieved (i.e.

the skills, knowledge and understanding) can be given academic credit which

can be used towards an MSc User Experience Design award.

The maximum amount of credit cannot normally exceed 90 credits. In

exceptional circumstances a student may be awarded with 120 credits

(taught modules only).