Master's Programme in Interaction Design, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognized university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS in the field of Design + Portfolio. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Degree

After completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website).
In Swedish, Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) is called Konstnärlig masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Industrial Design) with specialisation in Interaction Design.

Description of the education for current education cycle

The education is at an advanced level (second cycle). The aims for second-cycle courses and study programmes are set out in the Higher Education Act, Chapter 1 Section 9.

National goals for current degree

Knowledge and understanding
 
For a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in areas of the field as well as specialised insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate familiarity with methods and processes for dealing with complex phenomena, issues and situations in the field.

 Competence and skills
 
For a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to formulate new issues autonomously and creatively and contribute to the formation of knowledge, solve more advanced problems, develop new forms of personal expression as well as to reflect critically on his or her artistic approach and that of others in the main field of study,
• demonstrate the ability to create and execute his or her own ideas with his or her own personal expression, to identify, formulate and solve artistic and creative problems autonomously and also to plan and undertake advanced artistic tasks using appropriate methods within predetermined time frames,
• demonstrate the ability both nationally and internationally to clearly present and discuss his or her works and artistic issues in speech, writing or in other ways and in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the competence and knowledge required to work autonomously in a professional capacity.

 Judgement and approach
 
For a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant artistic, social and ethical issues,
• demonstrate insight into the role of art in society, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Local goals for current degree

General objective for Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) in Industrial Design at Umeå University

A student who has completed a Master's Programme of Fine Arts in Industrial Design shall:

• have good ability to collect relevant information,
• have an advanced ability to identify, formulate and analyse problems,
• on an advanced artistic level have an advanced ability to work with two- and three-dimensional form and creative thinking,
• on an advanced artistic level be able to present form through, inter alia, physical and/or digital models and sketches,
• master the different components of the design process very well,
• apply advanced and contemporary design methods in practical project work,
• have a very good ability to independently organise project work with respect to planning, execution, and presentation,
• have the ability to participate in the product development process in collaboration with other specialists,
• have an understanding of the organisation and activities of companies within the relevant industries.

Objectives for a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) with a specialisation in Interaction Design at Umeå University

In addition to the general objectives for a Degree of Master of Fine Arts in Industrial Design, a student shall have achieved the following objectives for a Degree of Master (120 credits) with a specialisation in Interaction Design:

• very good artistic ability to create form with personal expression,
• very good creative ability to develop new concepts and ideas in an iterative process together with other experts in the product development process,
• good ability to work with modern computer-based equipment and processes,
• a deep understanding of human-computer interaction and interaction technologies,
• a great understanding of the structure in an industrial organisation and understanding of the importance of marketing in the industrial process,
• an understanding of and ability with respect to working with different types of interaction design in different sectors and service organisations,
• great understanding of and very good ability with respect to planning and presentation of results in writing, orally, and by means of different types of visualisations.

Examination format

Each syllabus sets out the examination formats used in each individual course.

Grades

Each syllabus sets out the grades used in the course.

Transfer of Credits

A student who believes to have gained knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional experience that may be equivalent to a course or part of a course in the programme can apply for transfer of credits. Granting a transfer of credits means that the student will not have to study the parts of the programme included in the decision. Information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's website.

https://www.umu.se/en/student/my-studies/transfer-of-credits/

General

The programme is divided into four terms. The first term focuses on graphic design, design methodology, and human factors in practical project work. The second term focuses on Human-Computer-Interaction and tools for creating software prototypes used in project work. The third term focuses on the creation of experience prototypes, conceptual design work and broadening of the interaction concept. The fourth term is dedicated to the degree project. All teaching is in English.

Compulsory courses
Compulsory courses are courses that all students enrolled in the programme normally study. A student enrolled in the study programme is guaranteed a seat in all compulsory courses, provided that the entry requirements for the course in question are met. Entry requirements are listed in each respective course syllabus. 

Artistic practice:
5ID242: Skills and Techniques, IxD, 7.5 credits
5ID226: Form Workshop, 7.5 credits
5ID238: Creative reflections on Interaction Design, 7.5 credits

Advanced computing and visualisation:
5ID236: Graphic Designs and Expressions, 7.5 credits
5ID193: Communication Design for co-creation, 7.5 credits

Thesis work with a specialisation in Interaction Design:
5ID237: Project 1: Specialized Product, 15 credits
5ID079: Project 2: General Product, 15 credits

Elective courses
Elective courses are a selection of courses that Umeå University offers within the scope of the programme and where the student chooses which of these courses to enrol in. The student is guaranteed a seat in one of these courses, provided that the entry requirements for the courses in question are met. However, the student is not guaranteed a seat in their first choice courses. Entry requirements are set out in each respective course syllabus. 

Students have two options during the third semester.

5ID245: Practice in Interaction design, 30 credits
Counts as 7.5 credits advanced computing and visualisation, 15 credits thesis work with a specialisation in interaction design, and 7.5 credits artistic practice.

Or

5ID239: Experience Prototyping, 7.5 credits
Counts as 7.5 credits Advanced computing and visualisation.

5ID082: Project 3: Interaction Concept, 15 credits
Counts as 15 credits Thesis work with a specialisation in Interaction Design.

5ID238: Creative reflections on interaction design, 7.5 credits
Counts as 7.5 credits Artistic practice.

In compulsory courses, the student has a guaranteed seat. In elective courses, admission is guaranteed for a full study place but not for individual courses. For current information on elective courses, please see the university's course catalogue and programme website: https://www.umu.se/en/education/master/masters-programme-in-interaction-design/

Programme overview
https://www.umu.se/en/umea-institute-of-design/education/programmes/masters-programme-in-interaction-design/curriculum

Term1:

Term 2:

Term 3: Elective courses

Or

Term 4:

Degree Project/independent project
The degree project in the Master's Programme in Industrial Design with a specialisation in Interaction Design concludes the programme and may be started once the entry requirements in the course syllabus have been met. In the degree project that includes 30 credits, the student shall apply the knowledge acquired during their studies and present the result orally and in a written report/thesis. The work should contain some form of topic-specific specialisation in the area of Interaction Design. 

The degree project can advantageously be completed in cooperation with the business world. However, the work on the degree project is part of higher education. A thesis supervisor at the university shall always be appointed and be responsible for ensuring that the required subject specialisation is achieved. 

The report shall be linguistically and stylistically designed to ensure its quality is equivalent to reports published within the university and the industry. The report shall be written in English.

Deferment of studies

Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Approved leave from studies

Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Discontinuation

Information on discontinuation is available on Umeå University's website.

Other

Selection is based on the applicant's portfolio and, if applicable, final interview.
For general rules on the selection process, please see the university's admission regulations:
https://www.umu.se/en/legal-framework/