MSc in Human Computer Interaction University of St Andrews

The MSc in Human-Computer Interaction provides students with the tools, knowledge and skills to become practitioners in the areas of user experience, usability, information visualisation, human factors in computing systems, and human-computer interaction research.

The MSc in Computing and Information Technology is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Computer Science. The course consists of two semesters of taught components followed by an 11-week project leading to the submission of a 15,000-word dissertation in August.

Highlights

• The course is designed to be flexible to allow students the freedom to pursue their own interests within computer science.
• The course introduces students to programming skills in a modern software development environment.
• Students undertake a significant project, including a wide-ranging investigation, leading to their dissertation, which enables them to consolidate and extend their specialist knowledge and critical thinking.
• Students have 24-hour access to modern computing laboratories, provisioned with dual-screen PC workstations and group-working facilities.

After the first semester, students may switch to the more general MSc in Information Technology, in which programming modules are not required.

Teaching format

The taught portion of the MSc programme includes eight modules: three compulsory and five optional from a wide range available. Teaching methods include:

• lectures,
• seminars,
• tutorials,
• practical classes.

Class sizes typically range from 10 to 50 students. Most modules are assessed through practical coursework exercises and examinations.

All students will be required to complete a Post Entry Language Assessment (PELA) on arrival at the University of St Andrews. Based on their performance in this assessment, students will be advised to attend targeted support sessions during the year to improve language and academic skills. This assessment is required, but will not count towards the final degree classification.

You will also be assigned an advisor who meets with you at the start of the year to discuss module choices and is available to assist with any academic difficulties during the year. A designated member of staff provides close supervision for the MSc project and dissertation.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment.

Compulsory

Students must take the following compulsory modules

• Human-Computer Interaction Principles and Methods: introduces the principles of human-computer interaction in the context of evaluation paradigms.
• Interactive Software and Hardware: develops prototype-building skills for a wide range of interactive technologies.
• Object-Oriented Modelling, Design and Programming: introduces and reinforces object-oriented modelling, design and implementation to provide a common basis of skills, allowing students to complete programming assignments within other MSc modules.

and one or both of:

• Information Visualisation: explores how to utilise visual representations to make information accessible for exploration and analysis.
• User-Centred Interaction Design: studies methodologies in interaction design that are at the core of current practice for user interface engineering and application development.

Optional

The following modules are optional for Computer Science programmes. Not all combinations of modules will be available for all programmes, and some modules are subject to pre-requisites being satisfied.

Students choose two or three optional modules. In the 'Additional modules' lists below, students can only take up to two of the modules in each list.

Optional modules

• Advanced Topics in Computer Communication Systems
• Artificial Intelligence Practice
• Artificial Intelligence Principles
• Critical Systems Engineering
• Data-Intensive Systems
• Human-Computer Interaction Principles and Methods
• Information Visualisation
• Interactive Software and Hardware
• Knowledge Discovery and Datamining
• Language and Computation
• Masters Programming Projects
• Practice in Computer Communication Systems
• Principles of Computer Communication Systems
• Software Architecture
• Software Engineering Practice
• Software Engineering Principles
• User-Centred Interaction Design

Additional optional modules

Students may take up to two of the following:

• Computer Architecture
• Computer Graphics
• Computer Security
• Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
• Constraint Programming
• Distributed Systems
• Logic and Software Verification
• Programming Language Design and Implementation
• Signal Processing and Perception for Digital Media
• Video Games

Students may take up to two of the following:

• Database Management Systems
• Green Information Technology
• Information Security Management
• Information Technology Projects
• Web Technologies

Optional modules are subject to change each year, and some may only allow limited numbers of students.

Dissertation

During the second semester, students work with staff to define and agree upon a topic for the extended project, which they will work on during the final three months of the course, and which culminates in a 15,000-word dissertation. Dissertation projects may be group-based or completed individually (students are assessed individually in either case).

The dissertation typically comprises:

• a review of related work,
• the extension of existing or the development of new ideas,
• software implementation and testing,
• analysis and evaluation.

Students are required to give a presentation of their work in addition to the written dissertation.

Each project is supervised by one or two members of staff, typically through regular meetings and reviews of software and dissertation drafts.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma instead, finishing the course at the end of the second semester of study.

The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2019 entry.

Careers

The Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) MSc modules have been developed by expert researchers who regularly publish in leading international conferences (for example, ACM CHI, UIST, InfoVis and MobileHCI). As a result, students who complete this MSc will be at the forefront of HCI and Information Visualisation and have access to a range of roles in an industry such as UX designers, visual analysts, interaction designers and interaction architects.

Alumni of Computer Science MSc programmes have gone on to work in a variety of global, commercial, financial and research institutions, including:

• Amadeus
• Amazon
• Atlas
• Avaloq
• Barclays Capital
• BP
• BT Openreach
• Capricorn Ventis
• FactSet
• Hailo
• Hewlett Packard
• Hitachi Data Systems
• Microsoft
• OpenBet
• Rockstar
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Sky
• Skyscanner
• Symantec
• TriSystems

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Entry requirements

• A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• English language proficiency
  For direct entry to a Masters in Computer Science, you will require an overall score in IELTS (Academic) of 7.0, with a minimum subscore of 6.0 or the equivalent. For alternative forms of evidence, see English language tests and qualifications. If your IELTS score is 6.0 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5, we offer combined degrees in Computer Science with the English Language, an 18-month option for those who would like to start a Masters degree while continuing to consolidate their ability to use English effectively in academic contexts.

The qualifications listed are indicative of minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• Personal statement (optional).
• Two original signed academic references.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates. Please only provide certified copies with official English translations if applicable. Do not send original documents as they cannot be returned.
• Evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).

Funding

There are many potential scholarships and support schemes available to postgraduates.

Recent Graduate Discount

The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.