The course at Loughborough offers a breadth of opportunities, allowing students to figure out what they want to do post-university. From research, to usability, to concept ideation, right through to UI design, I wanted to explore different aspects of design and see where my strengths and interests are best suited. I also wanted exposure to working with clients so I could feel better prepared for the working world; something that is rare for university courses but is offered here at Loughborough.
The lectures were always taught to a high standard and were interactive, meaning we could really make the most of each session. Having group tutorials really benefitted me as I was able to share my ideas and thoughts in smaller groups whilst also getting the support I needed from a tutor. The academics at the design school are supportive and are experts in their field, so were always willing to have discussions and answer questions, both about the taught material but also anything design related. This really accelerated my learning but also my awareness of the role of design beyond university.
Despite coming from a non-design background, I was able to develop a broad range of skills that are valuable in the workplace, such as conducting research, prototyping and UI design. This is because the course at Loughborough equips every student with a solid understanding of design theory, but provides great opportunity to put every ounce of knowledge into practice.
My ability to think critically has developed as a result of the course, along with my ability to be able to challenge my own biases, explore unconventional ways of doing and analyse the impact of your designs from a wide range of perspectives.
I now have a broad range of skills and experience working on projects that lie within different disciplines, which has helped me to learn more about myself in what I want to be doing and where I want to be post university. Being a student on this course also helped me to engage in opportunities outside of the classroom, taking part in a UXathon, a global UX bootcamp and an internship throughout my studies.
The master’s course bridges the gap between academia and real-world working, despite being an academic degree. It has prepared me with the knowledge, skills and confidence to start my career in UX design and secure a job that is in line with my skills, interests and capabilities.
During my degree, I completed two one-week internships. The first was as a UX consultant for a social enterprise, and the second as a UX researcher in an agency, who work predominantly with the public sector. These opportunities allowed me to apply the skills I’d learned on the master’s and apply them to real world scenarios, whilst also figuring out what I want to pursue in the future. These internships were easy to balance alongside my studies, and I was offered a lot of support from my tutors in case I missed a couple of classes as a result.