Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MA User Experience Design (2019 entry)

Academic Year: 2019/20

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Loughborough Design School - pre 2019
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award MA
Programme title User Experience Design (MA)/
Programme code DSPT07, 08
Length of programme 1 year Full-time or 4 years Part-time
UCAS code N/A
Admissions criteria

Full Time MA User Experience Design - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/DSPT07

Part Time MA User Experience Design - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/DSPT08

Date at which the programme specification was published Wed, 03 Jul 2019 16:55:38 BST

1. Programme Aims

(a)  To enable technical or design graduates to advance their knowledge and skills to level 7.

(b)  To enable technical or design graduates to develop their knowledge in a focussed way, through the choice of specialised routes through the course, to improve their effectiveness as designers.

(c)   To enable technical or design graduates to undertake a substantial design and evaluation project with a focus on a particular area of design.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Subject benchmark statement (No PGT Design SBS)

Architecture shares many characteristics

The subject benchmark statement seeks to encapsulate the nature of a rich and diverse academic discipline.

The creative activity of design that lies at the core of “Design” education is

characterised by diversity of method, theoretical underpinning and aesthetic expression.

The contested nature of design gives rise through debate to the advancement of the

subject. Design is a complex process that brings together creative conception and

highly pragmatic detailed development, and is closely related to other important aspects

of “Design” study: technology and environment; cultural context; management,

practice and law; and communication. It is, therefore, the interaction of ideas, intentions

and operations that gives “Design” its distinctive character and allows for the variety

of university programmes………………………………………” QAA

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

K1 – current problems and/or new insights of their academic discipline;

K2 – techniques applicable to their own subject area;

K3 – sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being creative, innovative and overcoming difficulties by employing their knowledge in a flexible manner;

Programme Specific:

K5 – the major arguments and issues in User Experience Design practice; appropriate research methods; relevant business and enterprise impactions of user experience design

 

 

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1 – advance their knowledge and critical understanding in the relevant area and to develop new skills appropriate to level 7 achievement;

C2 – develop and apply decision-making strategies in complex and unpredictable situations;

C3 – identify with, respond to and critically reflect upon the opportunities and dynamics for learning with their peers and other external contexts;

C4 – act autonomously in planning and in implementing tasks.

Programme Specific:

C6 – Interpret User Experience techniques and apply human behaviour data to resolving design problems;

 

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1 – the ability to use a range of techniques and research methods applicable to advanced scholarship in the subject relevant to the discipline;

P2 – develop and employ rational, pragmatic and practical steps necessary for a concept to become reality;

P3 – demonstrate numeracy, computer literacy and attention to detail when dealing with specific software tools;

Programme Specific:‎

P5 – the ability to create and iteratively evaluate interactive product and service concepts;

 

 

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able demonstrate transferable skills in:

T1 – professionalism – including acting professionally in accordance with ethical proprieties;

T2 – problem solving – including clarification of questions, consideration of alternative solutions and evaluation of outcomes;

T3 – communication – including visual, written and oral presentation and discussions;

T4 – management – including self-learning, and project and time management;

T5 – methods and methodologies applicable to teamwork;

T6 – communicate ideas, concepts, theories and arguments with different audiences through a range of practical methods and outcomes including visual, written and oral.

4. Programme structure

In the following table, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module.

 

Code

Module title

Modular weight

Semester

User Experience Design (DSPT07 – FT)

 

User Experience Design (DSPT08 – PT)

DSP802

Design for Behaviour Change

15

1

DSP851

Design Research Methods

15

1

c

c

DSP811*

Industry Project

30

2

c

c

DSP812*

Industry Project

30

2

c

c

DSP831

Experience Design

15

1

c

c

DSP832

Usability, Principles and Practice

15

1

c

c

DSP834

Service Design for Social Innovation

30

2

c

 

DSP836

Service Design for Social Innovation

30

2

 

c

DSP866

User Experience Design Major Project

60

2

c

c

 *Students must select from either DSP811 or DSP812 dependent upon the nature of the method they will undertake the brief.

 

 

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must meet the requirements specified in Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

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