UCL DIVISION OF PSYCHOLOGY AND LANGUAGE SCIENCES

We offer three taught programmes in Human-Computer Interaction with Ergonomics at postgraduate level. Each differs in terms of length and the number of study components:

• Master of Science (MSc) - 8 Modules and a Summer Research Project
• Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
• Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)

The aim of these programmes is to learn, through information, demonstration, exploration and application, a scientific human-centred approach to the design and evaluation of a wide range of interactive systems and products, and their contexts of use.
Following this course, a graduate should:

• Understand the theoretical relevance, and the application, of human physical, cognitive, social and affective knowledge, to the design of interactive systems.
• Be able to analyse the user requirements for an interactive system or product.
• Understand the influence of context of use (both local and organisational) on user-system interaction.
• Be able to characterise a range of human-computer interaction and user-centred design styles and apply these appropriately to software and hardware for the design of interactive systems and products.
• Be competent to test and analyse user performance, user preferences and user experience in relation to human-centred interactive systems.
• Be competent in a range of appropriate HCI and Ergonomic research and development techniques to apply to any of the above.
• Have acquired a range of transferable skills and the independent learning ability to equip them for future positions in industrial, academic or consultancy environments.

• Prof. Yvonne Rogers
• Prof. Ann Blandford
• Dr Anna Cox
• Dr Nadia Berthouze
• Dr Duncan Brumby
• Dr Paul Marshall
• Dr John Dowell
• Mrs Rachel Benedyk

HCI is a broad discipline that has grown out of psychology and computer science but also includes elements of design, ergonomics, informatics and so on. We therefore require you to have an appropriate background from one of these disciplines. This means either:

Guidelines on completion of personal statement

Applicants for the MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Human-Computer Interaction with Ergonomics are expected to complete a personal statement that accompanies their application form. Your personal statement, together with your qualifications, experience and references, will help us to select applicants. The personal statement need not be long (two sides of A4 paper maximum). However, it is important that you put care into it, as it has an important role in the selection process. Note that your motivation and interest in HCI, as well as, your ability to think critically are fundamental to this course. Below are specific points for you to address. Please structure your personal statement accordingly. You may add additional information as you see fit.

1. Briefly describe your interest in the subject and in this MSc/PgDip/PgCert programme. How did you first become interested in pursuing a postgraduate course in HCI-E (e.g. degree course, personal experience)? Looking at the modules on the programme, which ones interest you most and why? If you are enrolling in the MSc programme, do you have a particular research project in mind? Are there other reasons why you are applying to this course?

2. Briefly describe your future plans and commitment to the subject: Please describe how completion of this MSc/PgDip/PgCert programme will help you obtain your career goals. You may discuss more than one potential goal if you are undecided.

3. Describe how your work experience or studies have prepared you for this course.

4. Write a critical review (about 400 words):  We would like you to write a critical review (not a simply summary) of one specific book or article that you have read that has aroused your interest in the topic of HCI and/or Ergonomics. Please indicate the book or article title, authors, publication date, and journal (if appropriate). What were the main findings or ideas and why was it of interest to you?

5. Please include the following statement: “I declare that this personal statement is entirely my own unaided work”.

How to apply

 The equivalent degree from a non-UK university (click here for equivalent non-UK qualification)

Careers open to graduates of the programmes include:

• Usability specialist
• User-centred design expert
• Interaction designer
• Applied ergonomist
• User experience expert
• Information architect
• HCI expert
• Human factors specialist

In addition, MSc graduates can move on to a PhD or applied research in similar areas.

Find out more about what students did after finishing the HCI-E courses.

Please select the links below for further information

• Further information about the programme
• Information on Modules
• UCL Graduate Prospectus

You can also go to our FAQs which may answer some of your questions.

The UCLIC Open Evening will be held on the 8th May 2013 from 5pm. Please fill out the registration form by 29 April 2013. Anyone who has already applied to the course will automatically be invited to attend.  At this event, you can also find out about research in the HCI field, computer games research and many other activities at UCLIC and you can try out some of our sensing devices (e.g., eye‐tracking, motion capture systems, biosensors).