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Overview
Are you seeking to leverage and cultivate your expertise in creative digital technology for a career in the creative industry? Our MSc User Experience Design degree program equips you with the necessary skills to stand out in competitive fields such as web application development, mobile application development, screen based and screenless application design, interactive design, animation, and video/audio production. The MSc UxD course offers intake opportunities in January and September.
Focusing on ideation/design and prototyping/evaluation stages, the MSc User Experience Design program acknowledges that formal technical development is typically handled by separate teams in real-world scenarios, including the use of artificial intelligence in UI/UX design personalisation. As a result, students concentrate on honing their cognitive/design skills, supplemented by modules providing exposure to technologies supporting creativity and the ability to synthesize technical possibilities.
With access to cutting-edge equipment, you will design your own projects while receiving guidance from expert technical staff, facilitating your journey towards becoming a proficient UXD expert.
Course highlights
- Get to grips with the latest coding practice and software used by professionals
- Have access to our TV studios, motion capture facilities, computer and multimedia laboratories, music studio, photographic studio and print and production workshops to build and test your digital creations
- Work on client-based problems in order to develop your portfolio skills
- Be supported by expert staff at the top of their game
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2025 / January 2026 start
- A second-class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject or a master's degree in an appropriate subject.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Exceptionally, equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work, and training courses—including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English-speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English-speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English-speaking countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
An online portfolio submission may be required as part of the selection process.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2025 / January 2026 start)
- Full time: £9,400
- Part time: £6,270 in year 1, £3,130 in year 2 - (subject to annual increase)
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full time: £9,400
- Part time: £6,270 in year 1, £3,130 in year 2 - (subject to annual increase)
- Full time: £17,900
- Part time: £11,930 in year 1, £5970 in year 2 - (subject to annual increase)
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.
What you'll study (full-time)
Core modules
You’ll look into complex issues and come up with fresh, smart solutions, using in-depth research to guide your design choices. Our team will help you explain and choose the best creative, methodical, and tech paths through thoughtful examination. With chances to work with others and use top-notch equipment, you’ll complete an impressive piece of work that will enhance your portfolio. You’ll consider the scholarly aspects of your work and think critically about legal, ethical, and professional issues.
When you finish, you’ll be prepared to succeed as a creative technologist. You’ll have the skills to plan, run, and assess significant digital media projects at the forefront of your field.
In this module, you'll investigate future resilient design methodologies and strategies aimed at pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Through playful design methodologies, you'll envision and create solutions for tomorrow's challenges and UX for Emerging Technologies.
You'll also explore the ethical implications and societal impacts of future designs, fostering a critical understanding of your role as designers in shaping the world of tomorrow.
In this module, you'll focus on user-centred technology experiences and their effect on people's behaviours, perceptions, and emotions.
You'll investigate Design and Project Management strategies relevant to UX processes, designing novel interfaces and advanced interaction methods, as you consider the creation of products, applications and services for the 'human' experience by undertaking rapid prototyping methods.
In this module, you'll engage with users to uncover their needs, gain empathy, understand requirements, create effective design solutions, and evaluate your work.
As you develop an understanding of how to design, conduct and analyse user research methods, you'll master interventions that feed findings back into the design process. You'll define your own need-finding and testing methodology, based in user research theory and tools, then interpret your results in line with industry and academic design practice.
Optional modules
You’ll learn key technical skills such as 3D modeling, texturing, and animation with top software used in the industry. By looking into how digital media is produced and the technology needed, you’ll learn to work like a pro, creating interactive graphics and complex media elements. You’ll work on digital projects as a team, using coding and scripting to create high-quality visual effects and assets.
Your final showreel will showcase your talent for pushing boundaries with new graphic technologies. This module is your first step toward a career as a creative technologist, where you’ll be at the forefront of digital media innovation.
You’ll learn how to design, code, and publish apps for touch devices. Work on real projects, taking an app from concept to deployment, and see new and upcoming developments in the app world. You’ll get help from expert lecturers to make your apps enjoyable and user-friendly.
By the end, you’ll have a polished app to show off your skills in this exciting field. Use your creativity and technical skills to make the next big hit.
What you'll study (part-time)
Core modules
In this module, you'll focus on user-centred technology experiences and their effect on people's behaviours, perceptions, and emotions.
You'll investigate Design and Project Management strategies relevant to UX processes, designing novel interfaces and advanced interaction methods, as you consider the creation of products, applications and services for the 'human' experience by undertaking rapid prototyping methods.
In this module, you'll engage with users to uncover their needs, gain empathy, understand requirements, create effective design solutions, and evaluate your work.
As you develop an understanding of how to design, conduct and analyse user research methods, you'll master interventions that feed findings back into the design process. You'll define your own need-finding and testing methodology, based in user research theory and tools, then interpret your results in line with industry and academic design practice.
Core modules
You’ll look into complex issues and come up with fresh, smart solutions, using in-depth research to guide your design choices. Our team will help you explain and choose the best creative, methodical, and tech paths through thoughtful examination. With chances to work with others and use top-notch equipment, you’ll complete an impressive piece of work that will enhance your portfolio. You’ll consider the scholarly aspects of your work and think critically about legal, ethical, and professional issues.
When you finish, you’ll be prepared to succeed as a creative technologist. You’ll have the skills to plan, run, and assess significant digital media projects at the forefront of your field.
Optional modules
You’ll learn key technical skills such as 3D modeling, texturing, and animation with top software used in the industry. By looking into how digital media is produced and the technology needed, you’ll learn to work like a pro, creating interactive graphics and complex media elements. You’ll work on digital projects as a team, using coding and scripting to create high-quality visual effects and assets.
Your final showreel will showcase your talent for pushing boundaries with new graphic technologies. This module is your first step toward a career as a creative technologist, where you’ll be at the forefront of digital media innovation.
You’ll learn how to design, code, and publish apps for touch devices. Work on real projects, taking an app from concept to deployment, and see new and upcoming developments in the app world. You’ll get help from expert lecturers to make your apps enjoyable and user-friendly.
By the end, you’ll have a polished app to show off your skills in this exciting field. Use your creativity and technical skills to make the next big hit.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time)
- 17 months (full-time)
- 2 years (part-time)
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- laboratory sessions
- project work
Assessment
You'll be assessed through coursework.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Career development
Upon completing this course, your proficiency in User Experience Design will position you favourably to pursue various creative industry roles integrating the utilization and design of emerging media technologies. Whether it's web-based and mobile applications, wearable devices, screen-based or screenless interfaces, animation, video production, or social media, the realm of digital consumerism is expanding rapidly, both domestically and internationally.
Careers this Master's prepares you for
MSc User Experience Design graduates will be able to apply for below listed graduate positions:
- UX Designer
- UX Developer
- UX Researcher
- Digital Interactive Designer
- Digital Interactive Developer
- Digital UI/UX Designer
- Web Designer/Developer
- Mobile App Developer
- Research and Quality Assurance roles
- Freelance Designer
9 reasons to do a Master's
With a taught Master's degree you can apply your knowledge in a field you're passionate about. If you already have an undergraduate degree, or are working, you can earn one.
Work experience and career planning
We'll help you to identify opportunities that will complement your studies.
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the international development field.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
Career support
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events, including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
January 2026 start
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.