Delft University of Technology

What you'll study

This track combines human-centred design methods, interaction technology and empirical evaluation. Teaching is project-led and blends theory, hands-on prototyping and reflective practice. Core themes include user research and ethnography, interaction design, prototyping (physical and digital), evaluation methods, and design theory.

• User research and methods: qualitative and quantitative methods, contextual inquiry, personas, journey mapping, and participatory design techniques.
• Interaction design and theory: principles of human-computer interaction, cognitive aspects of interaction, embodied and tangible interaction, and design for behaviour change.
• Prototyping and technology: rapid prototyping, sensors and actuators, ubiquitous and wearable technologies, front-end interaction frameworks, and fabrication techniques.
• Evaluation and data-informed design: usability testing, experimental design, analytics for interaction, and longitudinal field studies.
• Studio projects and teamwork: multi-disciplinary design studios where you take projects from discovery through concepting, prototyping and validated implementation.
• Research and thesis: an individual research project or design thesis in which students investigate a well-defined problem in human interaction and produce artefacts and an academic report.

Course delivery includes lectures, seminars, workshops, lab sessions and studio critique. Students are expected to build a portfolio of design work and may collaborate with industry partners or research groups for project work and the final thesis.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically hold a relevant Bachelor's degree such as Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, or a comparable programme. Successful applicants demonstrate a balance of design sensibility and technical understanding.

• Academic background: a recognised bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Applicants without a design degree should demonstrate equivalent skills through coursework or work experience.
• Portfolio: a portfolio that shows design thinking, process work, prototypes, and outcomes. The portfolio is a key element in assessing suitability for the studio-based programme.
• Motivation and CV: a statement of purpose describing interests, relevant experience and goals, plus an up-to-date CV.
• English language: proficiency in English demonstrated by prior education in English or an accepted language test where required.
• Prerequisite knowledge: familiarity with basic prototyping tools and methods, research approaches, and some exposure to digital technologies is expected; bridging courses may be suggested for gaps.

Career prospects

Graduates move into roles that bridge design, technology and people. Typical career paths include interaction designer, UX/UI designer, UX researcher, service designer, design strategist, product designer, and HCI researcher. Alumni find positions in design agencies, tech companies, startups, research institutes and public-sector organisations where they work on consumer products, healthcare systems, industrial interfaces, smart environments and digital services.

The programme also prepares students for PhD study in design research or HCI and for roles that require evidence-based design skills and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Why study at Delft University of Technology

Study at Delft gives access to a strong design-engineering environment that combines creative design practice with rigorous technical and scientific grounding. The Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering emphasises studio education, real-world projects and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

• Hands-on facilities: access to fabrication labs, electronics workshops and prototyping studios that support rapid iteration from concept to working artefact.
• Research connections: opportunities to collaborate with research groups in HCI, interaction technology and design for sustainability, and to engage with industry partners on applied projects.
• International, multidisciplinary cohort: a diverse student body and project groups that mirror professional practice across technology, design and behavioural sciences.
• Career support: close links with industry, alumni networks and career services that help students transition into design and technology roles.

Overall, the programme is suited to students who want to combine rigorous research methods with creative, practice-based work to design meaningful interactive experiences.