Human Computer Interaction and Design (HCID), M.Sc.

Human Computer Interaction and Design (HCID), M.Sc.

  • Application Deadline
  • 24 months
    Duration

About

Smart devices (mobile phones, PDAs, tablet computers), smart products (car, navigation) and smart environments (ambient intelligence) are enabling new services that require innovative interfaces. Human-Computer Interaction and Design (HCID) focuses on the study, design, development and evaluation of novel user interfaces, interactive systems and services.

Why choose Human Computer Interaction and Design at EIT Digital?

The EIT Digital Master's degree HCID is an interdisciplinary programme where our User-Centred Design approach places the users at the centre of the design process. By combining human aspects (both at a cognitive, aesthetic and sensory-motor levels) to technological and business aspects, we create new products and services with great usability and user experience, and a solid customer demand, which often translate into commercial success.

HCID serves as the bridge to new products and services. Students learn how to design and define how people interact and live with the modern ever changing technical world.

What are the career opportunities for graduates from the programme?

Graduates from the Human Computer Interaction and Design (HCID) at EIT Digital Master School will qualify for jobs in international and local organizations in both technical and business roles. Typical titles are:

  • interaction designer or user experience designer,
  • interactive systems engineer,
  • human factors expert,
  • usability engineer,
  • business developer,
  • product manager, or consultant.

Through their multidisciplinary attitude graduates are valuable in open innovation settings where different aspects (market, users, social aspects, media technologies) come together. They will easily find jobs within companies that provide value-added products and services, such as telecom companies, game companies, e-learning, web developers, and entertainment. An alternative path would be to start your own company to provide product or technology development, media content, business development or consultancy services.

Where can I study Human Computer Interaction and Design?

Entry - 1st year, common courses

  • Aalto University (Aalto)
  • KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
  • Université Paris-Sud (UPS)
  • University of Twente (UT)
  • Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM)
  • Polytechnic University of Milan (Polimi)

Each Entry University in HCID provides an introduction course to HCI, working knowledge to the design and implementation of interactive systems, necessary usability evaluation methods and a multi-disciplinary design project.

Exit - 2nd year, specialisation

  • Accessible and Adaptive Interaction, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM)
  • Cognitive Interaction, University of Trento (UniTN)
  • Intelligent systems, University of Twente (UT)
  • Mobile and ubiquitous interaction, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
  • Multimodal interaction, TU Berlin (TUB)
  • Situated Interaction, Université Paris-Sud (UPS)
  • User Modeling for Advanced Human-Computer interaction, Aalto University (Aalto)

Programme specialisation:

  • Accessible and Adaptive Interaction
  • Cognitive Interaction
  • Intelligent systems
  • Mobile and ubiquitous interaction
  • Multimodal interaction
  • Situated Interaction
  • User Modeling for Advanced Human-Computer interaction

Programme Structure

All EIT Digital Master School programmes, among which Human Computer Interaction and Design, follow the same scheme:

  • Students study one year at an ‘entry’ university and one year at an ‘exit’ university in two of EIT Digital’s hot spots around Europe.
  • Upon completion, graduates receive degrees from the two universities and a certificate awarded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
  • The first year is similar at all entry points with basic courses to lay the foundation for the chosen technical programme focus. Some elective courses may also be chosen. At the same time, students are introduced to business and management. During the second semester, a design project is combined with business development exercises. These teach how to turn technology into business and how to present a convincing business plan.
  • In between the first year and the second year, a summer school addresses business opportunities within a socially relevant theme.
  • The second year offers a specialisation and a graduation project. The gradation project includes an internship at a company or a research institute and results in a Master thesis with a strong innovation and entrepreneurship dimension.

Detailed Programme Facts

  • More details:

    The academic-year will officially start in Autumn, either in September or October, depending on the campus location of the programme. Please note that the Master School strongly advises all applicants to apply by period one because:

    • not all study trajectories will be available afterwards
    • applicants who require a visa may be too late
  • Programme intensity Full-time
    • Full-time duration 24 months
  • Credits
    120 ECTS
  • Languages
    • English
    Schedule TOEFL® Schedule IELTS
  • Delivery mode
    On Campus

English Language Requirements

You only need to take one of these language tests:

  • Minimum required score:

    92

    The TOEFL iBT ® measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The test has four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), each with a score range of 0-30, for a total score range of 0-120. Read more about TOEFL iBT ®.

    Schedule TOEFL®

  • Minimum required score:

    6.5

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Schedule IELTS

  • Minimum required score (Grade C):

    180

    C1 Advanced is a Cambridge English Qualification. It reports on the Cambridge English Scale between 142 and 210. You will receive a separate score for each of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and for Use of English. These five scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam. Universities and colleges may ask you to achieve a specific score, either overall or for a particular skill.

    Note: degree programmes and applications may require a more specific minimum score for admission.

Academic Requirements

  • A  B.Sc. degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering or information systems is required. In special cases students from industrial design, media technology, computational linguistics, and cognitive sciences with sufficient skills in mathematics, software design and programming can be considered.

  • In case of on-going studies a statement certifying that you are in the final year of your studies. The statement must be written by the degree administration office (or equivalent department), confirming that you are enrolled on the final year of your education and giving your expected completion date.

  • Transcript of records in original language and translated into English. All courses taken must be included.
  • Curriculum Vitae including details on your academic and professional career.
  • A letter of motivation in which you prove your innovative potential. 
  • Passport or other kind of identification in English.
  • Optional: Document stating the GPA or the Relative Ranking

          This programme is taught in different countries. Which country are you interested in?

          Country 1

          Tuition Fee

          • International Applies to you

            10000 EUR/year
            Tuition Fee
            Based on the original amount of 10000 EUR per year and a duration of 24 months.

          • EU/EEA Applies to you

            Free
            Tuition Fee
            Based on the original amount of 0 EUR per year and a duration of 24 months.
          We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.
          EIT Digital Master School covers the costs related to events integrated in the curriculum, e.g. Kick-off and summer schools

          Living costs

          • Stockholm, Sweden

            9668 - 17250 SEK/month
            Living Costs

          • Helsinki, Finland

            975 - 1590 EUR/month
            Living Costs

          • Berlin, Germany

            836 - 1340 EUR/month
            Living Costs

          • Paris, France

            1195 - 1780 EUR/month
            Living Costs

          • Madrid, Spain

            745 - 1260 EUR/month
            Living Costs

          • Trento, Italy

            700 - 1000 EUR/month
            Living Costs

          The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

          Funding

          • EU/EEA citizens from the ARISE countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia)

          Scholarship possibility: Excellent students can be awarded a monthly allowance of €750

          • All other EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

          Scholarship possibility: Excellent students can be awarded a monthly allowance of either €500 or €750

          • Non-EU/EEA Citizens

          Scholarship possibility: Excellent students can be awarded a tuition fee waiver of up to 50% and a monthly allowance of either €500 or €750

          Tuition fee waiver and scholarships are only available for applications submitted in period one (deadline February 1)

          StudyPortals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

          The Global Study Awards: get funded with up to £10,000 to study abroad

          Together with the ISIC Association and British Council IELTS, StudyPortals offers you the chance to receive up to £10000 to expand your horizon and study abroad. We want to ultimately encourage you to study abroad in order to experience and explore new countries, cultures and languages.

          I want to participate

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