MSc in Human-Centred Systems
Career benefits
Current trends indicate that there is an increasing need for computer scientists and software developers with a broader knowledge of computer-based systems and their design. In particular, companies involved in designing interactive systems (e.g. websites design, e-learning applications, multimedia design companies) are looking for graduates with an understanding and appreciation of the human elements in design.
The degree aims to provide you with skills and knowledge that can lead you in obtaining positions in HCI consulting companies, big companies that are in need for HCI expertise for evaluating their interactive systems, and in general in design companies that appreciate the need of incorporating HCI and people issues in the design of interactive systems. Examples of possible positions are: Usability and Accessibility specialists, Interaction Designers, Information architects.
Typical services offered by our graduates are the development and evaluation of highly usable and accessible interactive systems (e.g. websites, multimedia), setting up and running usability studies of software prototypes with users, managing the introduction of new software into organisations.
The MSc is also good starting point for students who wish to study for a PhD in the areas of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW), and Software Engineering (SE) with a focus on people in the design process.
The programme is offered by the Centre for HCI Design which has significant research and service expertise in engineering requirements for socio-technical systems (i.e. business and other systems that have a major human component) and interaction and product design for all, in particular disabled and elderly users. Research and service-rendered opportunities have expanded rapidly in this area in the last 4 years. For example, the UK's Disability Discrimination Act requires organisations to develop software-based products that are accessible and usable by all, thus creating a new market for software developers sensitive to all people's needs. Recent EU initiatives place the citizen at the centre of Europe's technological society, again requiring software developers to have a greater awareness and skill set to hand people's requirements. This increasing demand has been reflected in both increased research contract and service-rendered income to the Centre, and more frequent requests for training and education courses to disseminate the Centre's expertise more widely. In a related initiative, the Centre is currently developing its Interaction Laboratory within the University - a space designed both to support its research activities and to be available to outside organisations.