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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts


College
London College of Communication
UCAS code
W280
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts is a practice-led, dynamic and exploratory course examining the relationship between people and experiences through experimental technologies and processes.

Re-approval

Please note this course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high-quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Open Days

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

Explore life at LCC with our interactive Virtual Open Day.

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@IntDesArts

Course overview

BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts is a multidisciplinary design course, working with multiple mediums to craft purposeful communication and experience. Students are encouraged to actively play as they pursue projects through a core methodology of research, testing and iterative prototyping.

This is a practice-led course that explores the communicative potential of physical experience. Focusing on the relationships between people, designed objects and experiences, students will work with interaction, narrative and moving image, alongside processes such as design prototyping, film-making, coding and physical computing.

You will develop a personal perspective from which to answer complex design problems, embracing approaches such as critical design and exploring design for social change.

What to expect

  • Working within the philosophy of 'high-tech, low-tech and no-tech', students are encouraged to pursue projects that put people at the centre of their design and arts practice. As well as developing personal work, students have the opportunity to regularly collaborate with local communities on long-term human-centred projects.
  • Our specialist studios are constructed as a designer’s playground that will nurture and encourage creativity and learning, through the formation of a community of practice. There is also access to traditional media such as letterpress, printmaking and photography.
  • Drawing on a tradition of dynamism, exploration, prototyping and experimentation, students on BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts are taught that the only boundaries are those set by the imagination and that creative ideas hold sway over technology.
  • Students on the course understand that design impacts the world at large and that they have a responsibility for the wider issues of sustainability and social inclusiveness.

Industry experience and opportunities

You will graduate from the course able to approach industry with the confidence of being able to negotiate many specialisms across the full media spectrum. You'll leave with a wide range of technical, intellectual and design skills that will ensure that you're ready to work in this challenging and exciting area of contemporary design.

Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the Diploma in Creative Computing between Years 2 and 3 to enhance your learning experience and employability skills.

Mode of Study

BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 33 weeks.

Course units

We are committed to ensuring that your skills are set within an ethical framework, and we have worked to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Racial and Social Justice Principles into 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.

In common with all courses at the University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits. 

Year 1

Introduction to Interaction Design Arts (20 credits) 

Through academic reflection, writing and practical workshops, this unit will equip you with essential skills that will give you the confidence to navigate through the course and College and to help you begin to develop a personal approach to your work.

Exploration and Play (40 credits) 

​​Focuses on learning and discovery through practical activities and projects. It introduces core design principles and explores play as a method of research, experimentation and design.

Contextual and Theoretical Studies 1 (20 credits) 

Through academic writing, lectures and seminars, this unit introduces you to histories, theories and debates in relation to information and interface design and visual and material culture.

High Tech, Low Tech, No Tech (40 credits) 

Introduces you to design through materials, prototypes and diegetics. This media-agnostic unit invites you to consider technologically and materially appropriate design solutions to studio projects.

Year 2

Desire Lines and Affordance (40 credits) 

​This unit is intensive and designed to introduce you to subject specific processes and techniques involved in interaction and design. It deals with design in the lived environment; how people and users interact with the world around them and encourages you to reach beyond the studio for research and inspiration.

Contextual and Theoretical Studies 2 (20 credits) 

Through academic writing, lectures and seminars in this unit, you will have the opportunity to further contextualise various aspects of art and design theory in its broadest sense, by focusing on specific options.

Professional Practices (20 credits) 

​This unit seeks to extend your knowledge of the creative, cultural and design industries, providing you with opportunities to work on live project as you continue to develop your design practice in mixed-discipline and collaborative teams.

Expanded Cinema and Physical Computing (40 credits) 

This unit is designed to further aid and develop the work and concepts introduced in the previous unit. The unit encourages you to experiment and push new media and technologies to their limits. The unit is also highly spatial and technical, looking at programming, sensors and computing in a real-world context.

Year 3

Route A:

Major Studio Project (60 credits) 

The Major Studio Project is undertaken by all third year students and generally consists of three individual briefs, which you chose. It is the culmination of the course and provides you with the opportunity to utilise all of your practical, critical and analytical skills in the realisation of projects related to the development of your individual portfolio.

Minor Studio Project (20 credits) 

The Minor Studio Project is self-initiated; emphasising research and the identification of appropriate intellectual and practical methodologies to support your outcomes.

Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (40 credits) 

This unit is the culmination of the Contextual and Theoretical Studies component of the course. It provides you with the opportunity to utilise all your knowledge and analytical skills related to visual theory, in the realisation of a self-determined extended piece of writing of 8,000-10,000 words.

Route B:

Major Studio Project (60 credits) 

The Major Studio Project is undertaken by all third year students and generally consists of three individual briefs, which you chose. It is the culmination of the course and provides you with the opportunity to utilise all your practical, critical and analytical skills in the realisation of projects related to the development of your individual portfolio.

Minor Studio Project (2x 20 credits)

The Minor Studio Project is self-initiated; emphasising research and the identification of appropriate intellectual and practical methodologies to support your outcomes. One Minor Studio Project is undertaken by all third year students.
If you decide to do the Route B (CTS 3 unit of 5000 words instead of 10,000), you will do two of these Minor Studio Projects.

Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (20 credits) 

This unit is the culmination of the Contextual and Theoretical Studies component of the course, and provides you with the opportunity to utilise all your knowledge and analytical skills related to visual theory in the realisation of a self-determined extended piece of writing of 4,000-5,000 words.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of your course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) (Optional)

An optional, year-long learning opportunity which enables you to develop your professional skills by undertaking time out for industry experience. Supported throughout the year by academics, you’ll build on the knowledge gained on your course in a range of national or international locations, and graduate with an additional qualification of Diploma in Professional Studies.

Diploma in Creative Computing (Optional)

Between Years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

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

Online Open Day

Course Leader, Joel Karamth, gives an overview of studying BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts.

Graduate showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • Odd Seats
    Odd Seats, Yi An Chen, 2023 BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Inconvenient Inventions
    Inconvenient Inventions, Rosa May Harter, 2023 BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Ambivalence
    Ambivalence, SoYoung Kim, 2021 BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
  • PAINTING OR PHOTOGRAPHY?
    PAINTING OR PHOTOGRAPHY?, Lucía Carrascoso , 2021 BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Gospel in a BOKX
    Gospel in a BOKX, Haram Yu, 2021 BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Queer Chutzpah
    Queer Chutzpah, Lokesh Saini, 2021 BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts, London College of Communication, UAL

Course playlist

Find out more about studying BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts

We speak to Course Leader Joel Karamath, current students and graduates about their experiences on the course.

The Joy of Sets workshop

A collaborative workshop between students on BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts and Scene Everything design duo, Joseph Popper and Nick Mortimer.

Student voices

Yi An Chen

Yi An speaks about his project which involved turning lampshade coverss into pinhole cameras.

Marta Ilacqua

Marta's interactive installation, Radical Soundscape, investigates the sensitivity of plants.

Lokesh Saini

Lokesh’s project ‘Queer Chutzpah’ is a series of portraits that reflects on the intersectionality of gender, sexuality and body image through the lens of South Asian Queer identity.

Katarzyna Sosnowska

Katarzyna’s short documentaries are about 3 Polish people who have experiences of immigration and their continued relationship with Poland.

Hyemin Kim

Graduate Hyemin’s interactive media installation invites people to revisit their infancy and forgotten creativity.

Dan Beaven

Graduate Dan talks about the projects he exhibited, as well as his time studying on the course and being part of a community at LCC.

Course 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

    View images and find out about the range of tools and technologies on offer.

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

    The 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

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

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

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

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

Entry requirements

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

80 UCAS tariff points, which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:

  • A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences).
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4).
  • Merit, Merit, Pass at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, IT & Computing, Media).
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Digital and Creative Media, Film and Production, Computing).
  • OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum

And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

If you do not meet these entry requirements but your application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative relevant experience, you may still be considered. This could include:

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

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

English language requirements

  • IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

All classes are taught in English. If English isn’t your first language, you will need to show evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. For further guidance, please check our  English language requirements.

Selection criteria

The portfolio, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Visual language: quality of structure, use of line, shape - 2D or 3D, form, scale, space, light, colour, texture and time.
  • Ideas generation: quality of ideas and thought process, expression of design thinking.
  • Research and its application (including images from sketch books): evidence of investigation and use of appropriate resources.
  • Materials, media exploration and experimentation; experimentation and testing of materials to achieve outcomes.
  • Contextual awareness and its influence on the portfolio; understanding and application of subject knowledge and context.

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W280

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W280

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit these via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum 20 pages
  • include unfinished pieces as well as work from completed projects to demonstrate your developmental process
  • incorporate visual research, sketchbooks, or journals that provide valuable insights into your creative process
  • demonstrate your interest, skills and enthusiasm for the field.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

Careers include:

  • Interaction Designer
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Design Researcher
  • Futures Foresight Researcher
  • Service Designer
  • Products R&D
  • Digital Designer
  • Interactive Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Producer
  • Project Manager
  • Creative (General)
  • Art Director
  • Communications Writer
  • Social / Media Planner
  • Head of Design / Creative Director
  • Creative Technologist