Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Human Interface Technology (MHIT) is a research-focused, multidisciplinary master's degree combining technology, design and an understanding of people.
• The programme takes a human-centred approach to analysing, designing and developing interactive technologies.
• Students receive hands-on exposure to emerging technologies including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), applied games, haptics and artificial intelligence.
• Research and development can be applied to areas such as education and training, gaming, disaster management, health and medicine, tourism, sport and business.
• Students work on real-world problems and develop the ability to design, build and evaluate technology interfaces.
• UC's Human Interface Technology Laboratory NZ (HIT Lab NZ) facilitates multidisciplinary research and collaboration with industry, government and academic partners.
• The programme develops interface-design knowledge, hardware/software evaluation skills, teamwork and research-and-development capabilities.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MHIT contains 120 points:

• 30 points of taught coursework
• 90-point thesis.

The two compulsory taught courses are:

• HITD602 – Design and Evaluation
• HITD603 – Prototyping and Projects. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

There is no separate named specialisation within the MHIT.

The programme is inherently multidisciplinary. Research and project areas can include:

• Human-computer interaction
• User-centred design
• Virtual reality
• Augmented reality
• Mixed reality
• Applied games
• Haptic technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Intelligent virtual agents
• Human augmentation
• Interaction design
• Interface hardware and software
• Prototype development
• User research and evaluation.

Programme Highlights

• 120-point master's qualification
• One year full-time
• February start
• Research-focused programme
• 90-point thesis
• 30 points of taught coursework
• Real-world, design-oriented research
• Hands-on work with immersive technologies
• VR, AR, MR, haptics, applied games and AI
• Multidisciplinary research environment
• Industry engagement through projects and scholarships
• Opportunity to work with external companies and teams
• Potential pathway to a PhD in Human Interface Technology.

Career Outcomes

UC states that MHIT graduates develop skills for careers such as:

• User experience design professional
• AR/VR developer
• Software developer
• Senior product designer
• Head researcher
• Consultant.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• UC's current 2027 programme information confirms the MHIT remains available.
• The programme starts in February.
• It is completed full-time over one year.
• The qualification is worth 120 points.
• The current structure is 90 thesis points plus 30 coursework points.
• The 2027 HITD690 thesis course is approved for 2027 and involves applied, design-oriented research, prototype development and evaluation.
• HIT Lab NZ currently lists research expertise in VR/AR/MR, applied games, haptics, intelligent virtual agents, human augmentation and AI.
• Current 2026 research activity demonstrates that MHIT projects continue to cover areas such as physicalised data visualisation for racing simulators, embodied learning in VR and haptic interaction in VR exergames. 

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student coming to New Zealand for the on-campus MHIT would generally apply for the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires:

• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider
• Evidence of sufficient tuition-fee funding or an eligible scholarship
• Evidence of sufficient living funds
• Acceptable health and travel insurance
• Evidence of onward/return travel or funds to purchase it
• Meeting applicable health, character and genuine-intention requirements.