The course is designed to appeal to graduates from an arts or technical background, and explores the use of advanced technology as part of your creative practice. The focus of the course is the design of interactive experiences using current digital technology and computer coding.
Our students are encouraged to push the boundaries of contemporary digital practice through the exploration of interaction between people, objects and environments.
Study routes
You can study this course:
Our MA by Registered Project is a flexible route that can be adapted to your individual studying needs.
Scholarships
The School of Art & Design is offering a number of scholarships for full-time Masters study. To find out more visit our Postgraduate Scholarships webpage.
Nottingham Skillset Media Academy
This course is affiliated to the Nottingham Skillset Media Academy.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the content of this course or admissions, please contact us.
Please note the following information for applicants
Course focus
The course benefits greatly from the expertise of our teaching and supervisory staff, all of whom have exemplary knowledge and distinguished experience within their respective areas of practice.
Students within this subject area are actively encouraged to develop interdisciplinary collaborative projects in the early stages of the MA, so as to maximise their exposure to specific levels of knowledge and new ways of thinking.
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework and a presentation at the end of each stage, culminating in the exposition of your work towards the end of the course
Course content includes:
- new media developments and human interfaces
- information spaces and interaction as an art form
- history and contemporary practice
- an introduction to concepts and realisation
- languages of interaction design
- form and function
- selection of technology
- displays and stimulus; and
- sensors and sensing.
How you study
MA Interaction Design is one of four specialist courses within the broader area of narrative and interactive arts; the others being MA Design for Film, Television and Events, MA Film Practice and MA Puppetry and Digital Animation.
You will attend lectures, seminars and workshops with students from these other courses and cross-disciplinary collaboration is encouraged.
You will also attend regular group tutorials throughout the course with an appointed supervisor and take part in seminars on topics relevant to your chosen subject.
You will also agree and develop a learning and personal development plan with your supervisor, based around your specific area of focus and project ideas.
Throughout the course you are required to develop and maintain a reflective journal; this is a record of your project’s journey, to include critical analysis, research, evaluation of thoughts and activities, as well as professional theory and practice in relation to your subject choice.
Special facilities
Students have full access to a wide range of leading industry-standard facilities, including professional software, design studios, workshops and small-scale video suites. Our specialised facilities include:
- high-definition cameras
- green screens and a green infinity wall
- 3D visualisation
- performance-capture cameras and suite
- stereoscopic imaging
- immersive virtual reality; and
- audio-recording booths.
Learning opportunities
The course includes collaborative visits and study trips. Recently this has included Decode at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London; a specialised exhibition presenting the latest developments in digital and interactive design, from small screen-based graphics to large-scale installations, and including works by established international artists and emerging designers.
Exploratory projects are encouraged as part of the learning experience, especially collaborative projects across disciplinary boundaries.
Guest lectures and workshops include appearances from influential practitioners, artists and respected academics. Recent sessions have included published academics with specialisms in Emotional Design and its application in creating interactive experiences.
Career destinations
MA Interaction Design will equip you with the knowledge, skills and experiences likely to advance your career in this directional and developing field. Our graduates go on to successful careers in:
- museums and exhibitions
- gaming and entertainment
- marketing and advertising
- festival and events organisation
- indoor and outdoor installations
- building services, education and research
- mobile information appliances
- consumer devices; and
- many other activities within the creative industries and new business ventures.
If you are interested in starting your own creative business, the University provides start-up training and support through The Hive business incubator unit.
Work placements
Although this course does not offer a formal placement, all of our courses are vocationally focused and benefit from strong links with industry.
How to apply
Applications for this course should be made through our website. Apply now for our MA Interaction Design.
You can study this course:
Our MA by Registered Project is a flexible route that can be adapted to your individual studying needs.
Application deadline
Applications should normally be received by the end of July for entry in September.
Overseas applicants must take into account the time required to apply for a visa (if applicable) before applying for an MA course.
Personal statement
Your course of study will be based on the research, development and production of a major project that you'll propose.
Your personal statement should be submitted as part of your online application form in the personal statement field.
It should be approximately 500 words and include the following:
- your aims and motivations to study within Interaction Design
- what you hope to achieve upon graduation from this course
- any specialist areas or ideas that you'd like to explore within your studies
- any practical skills that you possess that you think are relevant to your studies.
Please also include what your expertise is within the subject area, and whether you have any professional working experience.
Examples of work
In order for us to consider your application, we need you to submit examples of your practical work.
Please upload these as part of your online application.
For full details on what we require, please read our Masters Work Submission information 
.
English language requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Art & Design, and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP)
If you don't currently have the English Language requirements for this course, we offer a range of PEAP courses that will help you improve your language skills.
We offer six to thirty-week courses, according to your current language level. Even if you have achieved the English language requirements for this Masters course, our six week course is highly recommended as it is an ideal preparation and study skills course which is very important for successful academic study.
Find out more about our Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes courses.
Postgraduate scholarships
The School will be offering a number of scholarships for students commencing their studies on one of our postgraduate art and design courses. Find out more about these scholarships.
Postgraduate open evenings
Our postgraduate open events are a great opportunity to meet our postgraduate teaching staff and students, visit the University, find out about the courses we offer, bursaries and funding opportunities. Find out more and book your place.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the content of this course or admissions, please contact us.
