Skip to main content
Undergraduate

BA (Hons) User Experience Design

Inês Araújo, 2020. BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, UAL.
College
London College of Communication
UCAS code
I140
Start date
September 2023
Course length
3 years

BA (Hons) User Experience Design is a digitally focused, practice-based course. You'll explore user experience (UX) and user interface design (UID) for current and emerging technologies.

Applications closed 2023/24 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course.

Visit the Courses with places available page for a full list of UAL courses that are open for application.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • You will discover the significant role design has in crafting the digital interfaces, platforms and emerging technologies that impact our daily lives.
  • Learn to specialise in the use of a various techniques, methods and materials that enable you to be a hands-on creative practitioner and maker.
  • You will build interfaces using prototyping tools and web technologies, master and manipulate data with code and create sensor-driven interactive environments and artefacts.
  • You will be encouraged to develop as an individual and practitioner through challenging briefs and contact with highly skilled staff, numerous visiting lecturers and industry partners.
  • Throughout the course you will develop a rigorous foundation of knowledge and critical analysis skills that enable you to contribute to debates on contemporary issues in design and wider fields.

Open Days

The next Open Day for this course will be on Saturday 21 October. Book your place.

Explore life at LCC with our interactive Virtual Open Day.

Follow

@uxdlcc

Course overview

BA (Hons) User Experience Design is a practice-based, enquiry-led course that explores human-centred experiences and context for user-informed design intervention.

You will develop as a creative individual, agile collaborator, and thoughtful practitioner by engaging with challenging briefs, emerging digital technology, peer learning and collaboration while interacting with expert staff, visiting lecturers and industry partners.

What to expect

  • Diverse perspectives: Underpinned by practical, theoretical and technical knowledge, you’ll gain critical analysis skills to develop your perspectives on contemporary visual, phenomenal, material, and cultural issues at the intersection of design, technology and humanities.
  • Communicating complexities: You'll develop techniques for organising and structuring content and functionality to support the communication of user experience to specific audiences, and learn how to apply visual elements, principles and systems as narratives to clearly communicate complex ideas.
  • Experiment and explore: You’ll experiment and iterate throughout the design process, engaging in meaningful enquiry, ideation, and prototyping. You’ll also explore visual communication for a range of user experiences and intervention scales using emerging technology and digital fabrication.
  • Research and enquiry: You'll conduct ethnographic research and contextual enquiry to inform the human-centred design process – analysing and synthesising qualitative data to reveal insights about users, needs and behaviour, along with experiential context.
  • Graduate destinations: By developing interdisciplinary, practical and transferable skills between digital and analogue media, you’ll produce solutions relevant to careers across the creative industries, or to further postgraduate study.

Industry experiences and opportunities

Throughout your studies, you’ll have opportunities to work on industry and live briefs that reflect the value of young designers, and be encouraged to take a critical and experimental approach. You’ll work with partners from the creative industries as well as professionals and experts from various fields that can benefit from user experience design. The course is in regular contact with businesses in the creative and technology sectors who are recruiting for graduate schemes and junior design roles.

Guest speakers are regularly invited to provide insight and advice to students, and there is also an opportunity for a short exchange with a European institution.

Mode of Study

BA (Hons) User Experience Design runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.

Contact us

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

Contact us to make an enquiry.

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) User Experience Design qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits. 

Year 1

Introduction to User Experience Design (20 credits)

This unit introduces you to the subject specialisms of BA (Hons) User Experience Design, as well as to effective learning and studentship at undergraduate level.

It will orientate you to the practices and knowledge needed to understand your discipline and help you to develop your skills for independent and collaborative learning, reflection and your own self development.

Visual Communication (40 credits)

This unit will introduce you to graphic design elements and principles, visual language, digital composition and systems thinking in the context of user experience.

You’ll apply visual communication in the context of designing for user experience and conveying clear and effective messaging for an intended audience.

Human-centred Design Process (40 credits)

This unit introduces the concepts and practices that shape the non-linear, human-centred design process for creative problem-solving.

You’ll confront the roles of ambiguity, empathy, iteration, and ‘learning-from-failure' to innovate solutions informed by users, while design activities will challenge you to understand and find inspiration from users, ideate based on user insights, and develop solutions that meaningfully address user needs.

Contextual and Theoretical Studies (20 credits)

This unit introduces you to histories, theories and debates in relation to user experience design and visual and material culture.

You'll focus on the development of 20th- and 21st-century ideas in design, and explore the common themes and cross-fertilisations that occur between theory and culture.

Year 2

Enquiry in Design for User Experience (40 credits)

This unit introduces you to interactive data visualisation, which both technically and conceptually builds upon the long-established practice of information design.

You'll interrogate selected data sets and produce interactive visualisations that enhance understanding and communication.

Digital Products: Prototype and Realisation (40 credits)

You’ll experiment and iterate in the design process to prototype user experiences within the context of digital products.

You'll consider a range of methods and materials as you explore the practice of ’making-as-enquiry', along with the role of digital fabrication for the rapid prototype of digital products and experiences.

Contextual and Theoretical Studies 2 (20 credits)

The aim of this unit is to develop broader knowledge and understanding of the historical, social, practical, theoretical and cultural ideas, practices and phenomena of contemporary culture, design, art and media in its broadest sense (from architecture to sound design).

You'll have the opportunity to further contextualise aspects of art, media, design and social theory by focusing upon a specific option and by writing a Thesis Proposal.

Professional Practice (20 credits)

This unit gives you the opportunity to collaborate with design students from other courses on a live industry brief.

Year 3

There are 2 pathway options in Term 1and Term 2 of Year 3. One route involves a longer piece of written work (Route A), while the other route combines a shorter piece of written work and a Competition Project (Route B).

Craft of the Creative Proposal (40 credits)

In this unit, you’ll develop your ability to work in a self-directed context and craft a project proposal for creative study in a practical user experience design topic of your choice.

You’ll articulate the rationale and significance of your research question, and demonstrate the validity of proposed methods that shape your project. You'll engage in initial planning activities that consider the scope, scale, and limitations for effective project management, which will be realised in the following unit.

Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3: Route A (40 credits)
or Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3: Route B (20 credits)

These units are the culmination of the Contextual and Theoretical Studies component of your course. They will provide you with the opportunity to utilise the knowledge and analytical skills acquired in relation to visual culture and critical theory in the realisation of a self-determined piece of written work.

Competition Project: Route B (20 credits)

If you elect to undertake a (Route B) 20-credit dissertation, this unit offers the chance to engage in an additional selected design competition project.

You'll be presented with a range of briefs selected from design awards schemes and other calls for entry to established arts festivals or residencies.

Final Project: Routes A and B (40 credits)

This unit marks the realisation of your creative proposal developed in the previous unit. You’ll engage in a human-centred design process and apply practical, theoretical and technical knowledge to hone the skills necessary to realise and communicate a design solution.

This project outcome is an important part of your design portfolio, and is usually displayed at the annual graduate exhibition.

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) User Experience Design (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Self-directed
  • Independent study
  • Collaborative, peer learning

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

  • The Sentiment of Flowers
    The Sentiment of Flowers, Mara Vuic, 2023 BA (Hons) User Experience Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Graduate Showcase: Amara Belton
    Amara Belton, 2021 BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Listen To Me
    Listen To Me, Jeyna Lim, 2021 BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Lost and Found: Celebrating the Trans-Cultural
    Lost and Found: Celebrating the Trans-Cultural, Christine Zhang, 2021 BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Testosterone Poisoning
    Testosterone Poisoning, Justas Bendaravicius, 2021 BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • MOD3L
    MOD3L, Gabriel Quinton, 2021 BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, London College of Communication, UAL

Student work

  • Kimberley-Tan-Blindspotting01.png
    Blindspotting by Kimberley Tan, BA (Hons) User Experience Design.
  • Kristina-Iankova-Journey-to-the-Centre-of-the-Internet-brochure.jpg
    Journey to the Centre of the Internet brochure by Kristina Iankova, BA (Hons) User Experience Design.
  • Kristina-Iankova-Journey-to-the-Centre-of-the-Internet-Installation.jpg
    Journey to the Centre of the Internet installation by Kristina Iankova, BA (Hons) User Experience Design.
  • Mai-Elamin-Exhibit-min-1-scaled.jpg
    Stand for Sudan exhibit by Mai Elamin, BA (Hons) User Experience Design.
  • BAIID5ImageJohnFassWeb.jpg
  • Mateusz-Gryta.jpg
    Mateusz Gryta, 2020. BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, UAL.
  • Winona-Sarah-Er.jpg
    Winona Sara Er, 2020. BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, UAL.
  • BAIID4ImageJohnFassWeb.jpg
  • Vishal-Mayo.jpg
    Vishal Mayo, 2020. BA (Hons) Information and Interface Design, UAL.
  • Fabio-Amelia-Dance-Score.jpg
    Behind the scenes of Fabio Amelia’s DanceScore project. A system designed as an easy and quick way of creating a visual representation of a dance choreography.

Course playlist

Hauntology

Work by Luke Whetton.

Paintings and Books

Work by Ying-Ting Chiu.

Exposing Unsecured CCTV Interface Film

Work by Fisnik Islami.

Student voice: Kimron Bansel

Graduate Kimron Bansel talks through her final major project and her time studying at London College of Communication.

Student voice: Giulia Monterrosa

Meet Giulia Monterrosa, a recent graduate of BA (Hons) User Experience Design. Here Giulia explains her project and talks about her time on the 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.

Contextual and Theoretical Studies Coordinator

Dr Ian Hague

Visiting Lecturers

Teaching on BA (Hons) User Experience Design is complemented by visiting lectures from a range of industry practitioners working across the design spectrum. Previous guest lecturers so far have included the likes of Max Gadney from design agency After the Flood and Hem Patel of Signal Noise.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

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.

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 per year

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

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)
  • 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 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

Applications closed 2023/24 

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

You must apply for this course through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you'll need the following information:

  • University code: U65
  • Course code: I140

London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 GMT on 25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in user experience design, and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.

You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

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.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry)

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

Applications closed 2023/24 

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

There are 2 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course:

You must apply through UCAS, where you will need the following information:

  • University code – U65
  • UCAS course code – I140

London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Further information on applying via UCAS is provided on the University Applying through UCAS page.

For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate Application page, and for further advice for international applicants, please visit the UAL International Application page.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 GMT on 25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in user experience design, and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.

You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

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.

Immigration history check

International applicants, whether applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or by direct application, you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check, we will not be able to proceed with your application.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry)

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

If you are an International applicant and studying outside the UK, please complete your Direct application and then contact us via your UAL Portal to ask to be considered for Year 2/Year 3.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

Study abroad applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) User Experience Design for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.

Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.

After you apply

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will consider you for a place on the course.

We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview.

International applicants may be invited to an online interview. Interview details will be sent via the UAL Portal.

Please add @arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL.

Portfolio advice

Your portfolio of work is the most important part of your application, and you must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.

You are required to present a portfolio with a maximum of 20 images that you consider would help support your application.

What happens next?

We will advise you of your application outcome through UCAS Hub. If you are an International applicant and have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL Portal.

We invite all offer holders to attend one of our online Offer Holder events. This is your opportunity to meet the academic team and fellow offer holders, find out more about the course, and get a taste of what it will be like to study here.

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

Careers include:

  • Interface Designer
  • UX/UI Designer
  • Digital Designer
  • Interactive Designer
  • Information Designer
  • Motion Graphic Designer
  • Digital Producer
  • Digital Project Manager
  • Digital Creative
  • Digital Art Director
  • Usability Consultant
  • Creative Technologist
  • Communications Writer
  • Social / Media Planner
  • Head of Design / Creative Director
  • Editorial Designer
  • Design Researcher