User Experience (UX) is a field concerned with understanding and improving the ways the users interact with an organisation and its digital products or services. Service Design (SD) is a closely related field that is focused on the creation of optimal experiences and sustainable solutions for both customers and service providers. Emerging from disciplines including human factors, ergonomics, and cognitive science, UX and service design as user-centred design (UCD) disciplines have come to be established as an integral part of the lifecycle of all products or services over the past few decades. From initial research, through product design and development, to user testing and improvement, UX and SD skills are required at every stage in the production of digital products and services. Skills such as qualitative and quantitative user research, interface and interaction design, customer experience mapping, and low- and high-fidelity prototyping are critical for the success of any new product or service. There is a growing need for skilled professionals with expert knowledge in UX and SD in the modern workplace.

 

The MSc in User Experience and Service Design is offered alongside a parallel MA in User Experience Design programme. The key difference is that the MSc has an emphasis on the design and scientific aspects, such as empirical investigation, data analysis and technologies that can create great user experiences, whereas the emphasis of MA is on the design and creative process and practices that drive the design, development and implementation of digital products and services.