Loughborough University

What you'll study

The course combines human-centred design, interaction design and service design practice with qualitative and quantitative research methods. Teaching is studio-based and project-led, emphasising real-world briefs, rapid prototyping and iterative testing. Typical taught modules cover:

• Research methods for user experience — qualitative and quantitative techniques, ethnography, interviews, surveys and analytics interpretation.
• Interaction and interface design — principles of interaction, information architecture, wireframing and high-fidelity prototyping for web and mobile platforms.
• Service design and systems thinking — mapping customer journeys, service blueprints, stakeholder co-design and orchestration of cross-channel services.
• Design for inclusion and accessibility — inclusive practice, accessibility standards and designing for diverse user needs.
• Design strategy and innovation — business models, value proposition, service metrics and embedding design into organisations.
• Evaluation and user testing — usability testing, A/B testing, metrics-driven evaluation and translating insights into design decisions.
• Professional practice and ethics — project management, client engagement, IP, ethics and the social impact of design.
• Major project / dissertation — an independent, practice-led project or research dissertation that synthesises learning and demonstrates professional competence.

Teaching methods include workshops, studio crits, seminars, industry briefs and a mix of individual and group projects. Assessment is by practical deliverables, written reports, presentations and the final major project.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a good undergraduate degree (equivalent to a UK 2:1) in design, human–computer interaction, computer science, psychology, business, social sciences or a related discipline. Candidates with a lower-class honours degree and substantial relevant professional experience may be considered. A portfolio demonstrating design, research or project work is usually required.

International applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet the University's English language requirements; typical offers require a recognised qualification such as IELTS with an overall score equivalent to postgraduate entry and minimum sub-scores set by the University.

Career prospects

Graduates move into roles across digital product and service industries. Typical career destinations include:

• UX Designer or Senior UX Designer
• Service Designer or Service Design Consultant
• UX / Design Researcher
• Interaction or Product Designer
• Design Lead, Product Manager or Service Delivery Manager
• Innovation consultant, design strategist or roles in public sector and third-sector organisations

Alumni work in a range of organisations from tech companies and startups to design consultancies, financial services, healthcare providers and government agencies. The programme emphasises employable skills such as client-facing communication, stakeholder facilitation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Why study at Loughborough University

Loughborough University London delivers this programme in a purpose-built campus within a global city, giving students access to London’s design and technology ecosystem. The course leverages studio-based teaching, strong industry links and practice-led projects that connect students with employers and real briefs.

Students benefit from Loughborough’s broader strengths in applied research and enterprise support, dedicated careers and placement services, and a focus on developing both practical skills and reflective, research-informed practice. The small cohort and studio environment support personalised feedback and collaborative learning across disciplines.