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Postgraduate

MA Interaction Design


College
London College of Communication Start date
September 2023 Course length
1 year 3 months full time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA Interaction Design is a creative course where you’ll learn to engage audiences with innovative and future-facing ideas through new forms of installations, objects, performances, and screen-based work.

Applications: Home places only

We are still accepting applications from Home students for this course. We are no longer accepting applications from International students for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • Developing critical and creative practitioners: We tutor and support you to produce new and experimental practices with a range of technologies, media, and creative approaches that are driven by your own interests as a practitioner and researcher. These can include machine learning, physical computing, creative coding, performance, games, poetry and more, enabling you to graduate as a unique and dynamic practitioner.
  • A new future for Interaction Design: We help your research and thinking to expand past the traditional boundaries of Design to engage with diverse ideas in fields such as critical technology studies, contemporary philosophy, decolonial design and media art theory. Rather than designing for ‘users’, you’ll explore the complex relationship between you and your audience, and learn how to communicate depth and meaning through their interactions with your work.
  • Cultural partners and experience: You’ll have the option to exhibit and collaborate with internationally-renowned arts and cultural partners. Previous partnerships include the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, the Design Museum, and Ars Electronica Festival in Austria.
  • Expert support: Alongside the substantial resources of the College and individualised specialist technical support, you’ll have access to our programme of regular guest lectures and workshops from international artists, designers, and researchers. You’ll have substantial support on your journey to become a professional practitioner with a sharpened critical mind.

Open Evenings

The next Open Evening for this course will be announced soon.

Course overview

MA Interaction Design provides an opportunity for experimental and interdisciplinary practice in an area of design that increasingly explores the intersection of digital and networked technologies with the world.

What to expect

  • This course immerses you in critical, creative, and experimental practice. Using new technologies, you’ll engage and provoke audiences through contemporary issues such as digital privacy, the Climate Crisis, and social and economic inequality.
  • On this course, we define interaction design as the practice of making objects, spaces, and experiences that instigate new relations with humans, environments, and the systems revolving around them. Through this, we find new ways to provoke imagination, discussion, and critique.
  • Our integrated approach to critical thinking will enable you to work with critical ideas in an applied design context while encouraging you to develop your own voice as a critical practitioner.
  • You’ll develop practical skills in interaction design, physical computing, creative coding, and other new and traditional media forms. You’ll also build research skills in areas such as critical design, post-human centred design, feminist and decolonial theory, speculative design, and critical data studies. You’ll combine these methodologies and ideas into new and unique forms of practice.

Work experience and opportunities

The course places you in a position to work across the broad spectrum of interaction and design, with transferable skills in creativity, complexity, criticality, strategic thinking, and technical understanding.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to work independently or as part of a studio/company in a range of roles such as international digital artist or designer, creative technologist, or researcher in a range of fields.

You’ll learn skills for conducting rigorous, practice-based research. You’ll use design to question the world around you, which means that you'll also be prepared for further design research at PhD-level internationally.

Mode of study

MA Interaction Design is in Full Time mode which runs for 45 weeks over 15 months. You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

In 2019, UAL declared a Climate Emergency. In response, LCC's Design School set an ambitious Sustainability Action Plan in place to fully embed responsible practices within the curriculum and in everything we do.  

As part of this initiative, we’ve shaped our courses around social and environmental sustainability principles that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values to foster a more sustainable planet.  Our aim is to change the way our students think, and to empower you to work towards a sustainable future.

Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves 5 units, totalling 180 credits.

Autumn, term 1

Term 1 of the course introduces you to the theories and concepts that are core to the course’s research-led and critical form of Interaction Design.

Theories and Practices of Interaction Design (40 credits)

You’ll participate in a seminar series that will introduce you to both historical and contemporary theories and approaches drawn from the world of art and design, giving you a profound understanding of the research context for the course. Alongside this, you’ll produce individual and group practice projects in a brief that engages with the deepest complexities of the modern technological landscape.

Through these activities,  you’ll gain an important foundation of knowledge in critical design, exploratory research, and interaction, which are crucial for your development throughout the course.To assist you in your work and to broaden the horizons of your practice, you ‘ll take introductory workshops in key technical skills such as physical computing and creative coding, alongside specialist approaches such as sonic improvisational practice and augmented reality (AR).

Spring, term 2

Term 2 offers you the opportunity to engage further with your critical practice to produce research-led and experimental interaction design projects.

Collaborative Unit (20 credits)

You’ll complete a group studio project in response to a brief from an external partner. Previous partnerships have been with organisations such as the V&A, the Design Museum, and BBC Research and Development.

Explorative Research (20 credits)

This unit will give you the option to choose between 2 distinct electives to pursue your own thematic research path in the field of interaction design.

As part of your ongoing exploration into the relationship between research and practice, you’ll produce a piece of screen-based media that reflects your elective research.This could take the form of a short film, interactive website, or video game.

Summer, term 3

Term 3 offers you the opportunity to use both the critical and technical skills gained in Term 1, alongside the research and development skills you developed in Term 2, to produce a new work of interaction design that is creatively and technically ambitious, and underpinned by in-depth critical research.

Expanded Practice (40 credits)

You’ll undertake further skills development in physical computing and creative coding, alongside specialist workshops in narrative world-building and creative writing.

Final Major Project (60 credits)
Weighted 50% research component and 50% practical component

Beginning this term, you will undertake a Final Major Project which relates to the expanded field of design and interaction. At the end of this term,  you’ll turn your focus to the research video aspect of your Final Major Project, with one-to-one support for developing your own research domain and specialism for your work.

Autumn, term 4

Final Major Project (continued)

With access to broad theoretical models and practical skills spanning multiple disciplines, you will apply these models to your own specialist area of interest to produce a critically aware major project.

Examples of Final Major Projects

  • Chronic Suicider (Mich Tsai) – A robotic prosthesis and performance tool for exploring embodied relations to machines and pain.
  • Yo-Plotter (Anya Wang) – An installation that explores the evolving public perception of ‘AI as author’ and its intersections with the history of art.
  • Alt-Ctrl (Michael Sedbon) – A bio-art device that proposes new domains for the relationship between machine cognition and the natural world.

If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures and group learning
  • Workshop and seminar learning
  • Academic tutorials
  • Self-directed learning
  • Outside speakers and visits
  • Assessed assignments

Online Open Day

(Recorded February 2023)

Course Leader, Wesley Goatley, gives an overview of what it's like to study MA Interaction Design at London College of Communication.

Graduate showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

Student work

  • Mariana-Marangoni.jpg
    Mariana Marangoni, 2020. MA Interaction Design, London College of Communication, UAL. 2020
    MA Interaction Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Michael-Sedbon-Alt-C-2018.jpg
    Michael Sedbon, 2018. MA Interaction Design Communication, London College of Communication, UAL.
  • Ziwei-Wang-Dreama-2019.png
    Ziwei Wang, 2019. MA Interaction Design Communication, London College of Communication, UAL.

Student videos

Into the Ethereal

Nella Piatek

Tell-Tale Atom Heart

Mat Denney

See My Gender,

Qingyi Ren

Student voices

Qingyi Ren

Quingyi project, In Between, looks at facial recognition software and how this intersects with ideas of gender and the performance of gender.

Mariana Marangoni

Mariana's final project looks at the Internet as a ruin.

Jiawen Zhao

Jiawen tells us about Ying, her final year work about our need for certainty.

Mich Tsai

Mich's final project is an as immersive spinal installation exploring the relationship between the body, spine and physical pain.

Instagram

Follow @ma_interaction_design

Stories

Facilities

  • Student soldering in the Creative Technology Lab
    Student in Creative Technology Lab, 2020. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Tim Boddy
    3D Workshop

    Learn to work with a range of tools and technologies from traditional woodworking to digital fabrication.

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
    Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

  • Students using the computers in the Digital Space
    Student in Creative Technology Lab, 2020. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Tim Boddy
    Creative Technology Lab

    A multi-purpose space that supports students with: Creative Coding, Physical Computing, Projection Mapping, Games, and Virtual Reality.

Staff

Associate Lecturers

Fees and funding

Home fee

£12,700

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

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Entry requirements

MA Interaction Design has a particular aim to appeal to communication designers who are interested in exploring these new and emerging areas of design practice.

The course seeks students who have a critical understand of how technologies and digital culture are affecting design practices, and who are keen to work with network digital systems and in areas of design research and practice that challenge preconceptions.

Although not an entry requirement, you should be comfortable with some basic coding (some i.e. HTML CSS) in order to communicate ideas with colleagues, although strong creative experience in this area is an advantage. We will introduce you to various coding languages and design prototyping platforms during the course, but expect that individuals will develop their skills base within specific project work.

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, from all over the world. MA Interaction Design attracts students who apply direct from an Honours degree course in a field relevant to graphic design, or those with other, equivalent qualifications.

The course team also welcomes students with relevant experience or those who may have previously worked in industry.

Educational level may be demonstrated by:

  • Honours degree (named above);
  • Possession of equivalent qualifications;
  • Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required. Your experience is assessed as a learning process and tutors will evaluate that experience for currency, validity, quality and sufficiency;
  • Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.

  • IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.
  • If your first language is not English, you can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English on the Language Requirements page.

For further details regarding international admissions and advice please visit the International Applications page.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

  • Sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in a specialist subject area to be able to successfully complete the programme of study and have an academic or professional background in a relevant subject.
  • Also to show a willingness to work as a team player, good language skills in reading, writing and speaking, the ability to work independently and be self-motivated.
  • Critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject area and capacity for research-led design, intellectual inquiry and reflective thought through: contextual awareness (professional, cultural, social, historical); evidence of research, analysis, development and evaluation (from previous academic study and employment) and a grounded understanding of the world of sonic, visual and networked culture and the ability to engage in and contribute to critical discussion.
  • In the project proposal a description of the area of interest, field of study and the particular focus of their intended project. This should include an overview of how you intend to go about producing the project and the methodology.
  • Portfolio should be conceptual and research based, you must show your thinking and making process and a curious nature to explore, test and experiment.
  • A willingness to work in the physical realm with networked digital systems and in areas of design research and practice that challenges preconceptions.
  • A willingness to work with networked digital systems and an awareness of how they shape the varied contexts of human behaviour.

Apply now

Home International

All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

  • Firstly they will look at your qualifications and transcript (or projected results).
  • Secondly, they will review your personal statement, portfolio and project proposal.
  • There is no requirement for an academic or professional reference.

Required information for all postgraduate course applications

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:

  • Personal details (including full name; date of birth; nationality; permanent address and English language level).
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details.
  • Employment history.
  • CV.
  • Personal statement.

Extra information required for applications to this course

  • Portfolio
  • Study proposal/project proposal
  • Video task

Start your application now

The online application can be saved as you fill it out, so you don’t need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you press submit.

Apply now

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer.

The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.

Personal statement advice

In the application, you will be asked to complete a personal statement (500-800 words) describing why you want to study on MA Interaction Design. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for interaction design, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in the subject and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.

Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future.

This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.

Study proposal / project proposal advice

Applicants must submit a study proposal (400-800 words) outlining the intentions of their MA research. Please include a description of the area of interest, field of study and the particular focus of the intended project, and an overview of how you intend to go about producing the project and the methodology.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadlines have now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

If this course requires a digital portfolio as part of the application process, we will contact you to invite you to submit this through UAL’s online submission tool, PebblePad. For Round 1 applications, you will need to submit your portfolio by 9 January 2023 at the latest and by 20 April 2023 for Round 2.

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in 2 rounds, after each application deadline date. This means you won’t hear from us about the outcome of your application until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by (at the latest) end of March and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by end of June 2023.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

We are no longer accepting applications from International students for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

  • Firstly they will look at your qualifications and transcript (or projected results).
  • Secondly, they will review your personal statement, portfolio and project proposal.
  • There is no requirement for an academic or professional reference.

Required information for all postgraduate course applications

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:

  • Personal details (including full name; date of birth; nationality; permanent address and English language level).
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details.
  • Employment history.
  • CV.
  • Personal statement.

Please note: we will ask you for copies of certain documents (for example, English language qualification/certificate and copies of any previous UK study visas). Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Extra information required for applications to this course

  • Portfolio.
  • Study proposal/project proposal.
  • Video task

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer.

The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.

Immigration history check

Whether you are applying through a UAL representative or direct application you will need to complete an Immigration History check. If you do not complete the Immigration History Check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.

Personal statement advice

In the application, you will be asked to complete a personal statement (500-800 words) describing why you want to study on MA Interaction Design. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for interaction design, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in the subject and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.

Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future.

This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.

Study proposal / project proposal advice

Applicants must submit a study proposal (400-800 words) outlining the intentions of their MA research. Please include a description of the area of interest, field of study and the particular focus of the intended project, and an overview of how you intend to go about producing the project and the methodology.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadlines have now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in two rounds. This means that offers won’t be sent to successful applicants until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by 31 March 2022 and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by 30 June 2022.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

After you apply

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming your application and providing your login details for the UAL Applicant Portal. Please add @arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL.

Please log into the portal, as this is where we will send you important updates and requests, and you can contact us with any questions you may have about your application.

What happens next

Portfolio

  • The portfolio of work should evidence the applicant’s knowledge, understanding, skills and engagement in the field of interaction design and/or adjacent fields. It should demonstrate intellectual curiosity and open mindedness and a strong commitment to the subject as well as to sustained study at postgraduate level.
  • Please present a portfolio of work (maximum 19 images)
  • We are interested in the developmental narratives of projects and the 'thinking through making' and recommend that this is evidenced in the portfolio.
  • If you have links to web projects or other media, please note these in your CV.

Video task

We'd like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you.

  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Your video task is submitted along with your portfolio via PebblePad.
  • Read our guidance for more information about how to submit your video task and the file types we accept.

As part of your video task, please respond to the following direction:

  • Please discuss how you feel your practice is situated in a wider political, social, or cultural context.

Interview

Applicants are usually interviewed by the course team before a place can be offered. Interviews will be held online, and details will be sent via the UAL Portal.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Applicant Portal.

Requesting feedback

This course receives a high number of applications. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview.

We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf. If you would like to request feedback  please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.

Careers

Graduates of the course are equipped to work in an increasingly technologically informed and interdisciplinary design world with real skills in areas such as: interactive art and design, foresight and futures, interdisciplinary studio practice, though leadership, and digital arts.

A high number of our graduates continue to PhD research and become BA and MA lecturers, shaping the future of their field.  Graduates are often awarded funded opportunities to exhibit their work around the world with work produced on this course.

Roles and destinations of recent graduates include:

  • Mat Denney – Artist and Lecturer in Emergent Technologies, London College of Communication
  • Eleni Xynologa – Interaction Designer, Red Design Consultants
  • Mariana Marangoni – Artist and Lecturer in Computational Arts, London College of Communication
  • Shuo Wang – Game Interaction Designer, ByteDance
  • Rania Svoronou - Lead visual interaction design, IBM iX
  • Qingyi Ren – PhD Researcher in Digital Technology and Gender, University of Linz
  • Anqi Wang – PhD Researcher in Machine Learning, Aalto University
  • Simona Ciocoiu - Interaction Designer, ICRI (Intel)
  • Masatato Seki - Creative Technologist, The Neighbourhood
  • Elliott Hall – Creative Technologist and Support Technician, London College of Fashion

Some international students choose to remain in the UK to gain valuable industry experience whilst others return to their home countries to pursue successful careers.

High quality written work on this course is ready to publish in academic and artistic contexts; high quality practice work is regularly exhibited internationally either during or after the course.

London College of Communication

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6500
Address
Elephant & Castle

London
SE1 6SB