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Disability, Design and Innovation MSc

The MSc in Disability, Design and Innovation is the flagship programme for the Global Disability Innovation Hub. It is led and awarded by UCL with teaching across Loughborough University London and the UAL, London College of Fashion. A multidisciplinary course; where design engineering meets global policy and the societal context of disability. Join the GDI Hub Research and teaching centre at UCL, harnessing academic excellence and innovative practice.

Covid-19 programme updates

Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.

Key information

Programme starts

September 2020

Modes and duration

Full time: 1 year

Application dates

All applicants
Open: 1 November 2019
Close: 11 August 2020
Notification
Due to the large number of applications received, this programme is no longer accepting applications for 2020/21 entry. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open later in the year.

Tuition fees (2020/21)

UK/EU:
£13,640 (FT)
Overseas:
£30,400 (FT)


Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website.

Location: London, Hackney Wick (Here East)

Entry requirements

Either a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Social Sciences from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or, five years' experience of working in international development, design or assistive technology development. Students entering via the experience route will be required to attend an interview before being offered a place. For students without an engineering background, successful completion of an online preparatory course is compulsory. This will be delivered over the summer and will fully prepare students for the technical components for the course.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

International students

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.

Select your country:

About this degree

The first term will equip you with core Research Methods, combined with a solid base in Future Global Technologies for Disability and Development. In the second term, you will take part in a group project and choose an option module.  You will also develop your ability to build both marketing and business strategies to ensure your products, services or programmes are capable of delivering a sustainable, positive difference to disabled peoples’ lives.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Disability, Design and Innovation.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Compulsory modules

The programme consists of five core taught modules , one option module and a dissertation in term three.

  • London College of Fashion: Applied Business and Marketing Strategy for Disability Developments (30 credits)
  • Loughborough University: Collaborative Unit (15 credits)
  • Loughborough University: Design Thinking (15 credits)
  • Future Global Technologies for Disability and Development (30 credits)
  • Research Methods and Making Skills (15 credits)
  • MSc in Disability, Design and Innovation Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

Students must choose an option module (15 credits)

  • Accessibility and Assistive Technologies (PSYC0100, 15 credits)
  • Inclusive Design and Environment (COMP0153, 15 credits)

All choices are subject to timetabling and resource constraints.

Covid-19 module updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be updates to the modules for your chosen programme of study this year. Some modules may not be available or may need to be moved to a later term or year of study. These updates are relevant for 2020-21 academic year only.  The full list of modules will be available in the module catalogue from late August.  From the first week of September, you will be invited to complete module selection from Portico, our student record system. There may need to be additional updates or changes to modules during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available.

Dissertation/report

All students will undertake a dissertation (60 credits). Supervision will be provided by staff from UCL, London College of Fashion or Loughborough University.  

Fieldwork

There will be fieldtrips as part of the Inclusive Design and Environments module.


Covid-19 field trip updates
Due to COVID-19 updates, there may need to be changes to planned field trips for this programme. This will depend on travel restrictions, social distancing measures, and the availability of the relevant venues. Your department will keep you updated if field trips are able to occur and/or any alternative options available.

Teaching and learning

The programme aims to be inclusive from the outset.  You will learn from through a mixture of group projects, individual making, lectures and seminars.  You will have access to experts and practitioner communities to support their learning and we also expect our student cohort to learn from each other's life experiences.

Covid-19 contact hours on campus
In Term One, while campus will be open, all the learning activity for the core content of your modules will take place online – including lectures, tutorials, seminars and assessments. By “core content” we mean everything you need to learn to complete the module successfully. In addition to these online contact hours, we will be offering some face-to-face educational activities for students on campus, and we will provide alternative online activities for those students unable to join us on campus. These activities, which will include contact with academic staff, will be relevant to your programme of study may include seminars, academic and employability skills workshops, small-group or individual tutorials, lab and practice-based teaching. UK Government safety guidelines will limit the amount of ‘in person’ activity we can offer and while it will vary from programme to programme, is likely to be no more than 1-2 hours per week. This will vary across departments, particularly if your programme includes laboratory/practical/studio/workshop sessions. You will be updated with more specific details as they are available and your timetable will indicate which sessions will be on campus and which will be available online.
Covid-19 practical component updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be changes to the availability of the practical components for your chosen programme. Any updates relate only to the 20/21 academic year and may not apply to all students across the programme depending on your year of study.  Your department will keep you updated if the practical component of your programme is able to occur and/or any alternative options available.   There may need to be additional updates or changes to the practical component during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and/or Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available. 
Covid-19 assessment updates
There may be changes to the format of assessments for modules in this programme due to COVID-19. These will be summarised for each module on the module catalogue from 17 August 2020.   If any changes to assessments need to be made during the academic year due to updates in government guidance, these will be communicated to you as soon as possible from your department.    
Communicating further Covid-19 mitigation plans
We are continuing to follow UK Government guidance, as well as the expertise of our researchers, including specialists in health, education, human behaviour and infection prevention, to make sure UCL is as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it becomes necessary to make further changes to your programme as a result of new guidance/regulations, UCL and your department will communicate these as soon as this becomes clear. We will keep you up-to-date with our plans throughout term one, so you have the information you need to be able to take decisions that are right for your circumstances. Please ensure that you keep in touch with your department by regularly checking your UCL emails, Moodle courses, the Coronavirus FAQs for Students page and any UCL online groups or social media you follow.

Additional costs

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Funding

Snowdon Trust scholarships are available to disabled students with a passion for learning. 

  • 1 x Gold Award - £30,000 scholarships available (up to £15,000 towards fees and a £15,000 allowance while studying)
  • 2 x Silver Award - up to £15,000 towards fees only

To find out more and apply click here: https://www.disabilityinnovation.com/education/msc-ddi

For more information about funding opportunities specifically for Department of Computer Science postgraduate programmes, please see the departmental Scholarships and Funding pages: www.ucl.ac.uk/computer-science/scholarships-and-funding

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.

Brown Family Bursary

Note:
This scheme is now closed for 2020/21
Value:
£15,000 (1 year)
Eligibility:
UK
Criteria:
Based on both academic merit and financial need

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

Employability

Upon graduation, you will be equipped to explore job roles in international development, create start-ups or work within larger corporations in the field of computing, accessibility and assistive technologies.  You will understand how technology can be harnessed to improve the lives of the worlds 1 billion disabled people.

Why study this degree at UCL?

By 2050 it is estimated that only 10% of the two billion people requiring Assistive Technology (AT) will have access to the life changing products they need, due to systematic global failures in provision for wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics and other essential disability products. The GDI Hub aims to disrupt how we see disability and the technologies used to assist disabled people globally.

The global potential for disability innovation is huge. New technologies provide opportunities for scalability and access, but to accelerate this movement, we need a new generation of pioneers. The Disability, Design and Innovation MSc is the world’s first course in this rapidly growing area of expertise. Students will be taught in a uniquely multidisciplinary environment, learning from global experts, live research projects and high profile global collaborations. We’re looking for exceptional students with the drive and determination to push the boundaries of this new area of study.

Department: Computer Science

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Application and next steps

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

Who can apply?

Students must have one of the following:

1) A bachelors degree with a 2:1 (hons) in Engineering, Social Sciences or a related subject.

2) Five years’ experience of working in international development, design or assistive technology development.

Students entering via route 2 will be required to attend an interview before being offered a place.

For students without an engineering background, successful completion of an online preparatory course is compulsory. This will be delivered over the summer and will fully prepare students for the technical components for the course.

Application deadlines

All applicants
11 August 2020

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

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Page last modified on 18 August 2020