Course Overview
The University of Hertfordshire MSc Human Computer Interaction is a programme (supported by an online managed learning environment) aimed primarily at candidates from a Computing or Information Technology (IT) background. The course provides expert and up-to-date knowledge of the subject area of Human Computer Interaction, and will prepare the individual with the necessary academic skills and credits to graduate with a Master’s of Science (MSc) degree at Level 7 on the UK NQF.
If a candidate’s first degree is not in computer science, it will enable that student (with supplemental introductory subjects at the start of this Master’s programme) to apply computing techniques to the candidate’s original discipline, or to change career direction into the IT industry.
Course Aims
This programme aims for a candidate to:
- build upon existing degree-level knowledge and/or practical experience
- undertake a substantial programme of individual investigative and practical work at postgraduate level
- evaluate and further develop the learners’ skills in research, independent study and self-management, and prepare themselves for lifelong learning
- acquire the necessary skills to undertake further research or secure employment in their chosen career
- gain expert knowledge and understanding of, and practical skills in the area of Human Computer Interaction
Entry Requirements
The normal entry requirements for the programme are: the applicants’ ability to succeed at, and benefit from the Programme. For guidance purposes, the normal entry requirements for the Programme are:
- a recent Honours Degree in Computer Science (or equivalent);
- a less recent Honours Degree in Computer Science (or equivalent);
- an Honours Degree in a non-CS subject combined with some level of computer literacy.
Entrants with a recent Honours Degree in Computer Science (or equivalent) may be registered directly for the Programme. Depending on the computing background of the entrant, he or she may be required to take some combination of the modules:
- Introduction to Programming.
- Object-oriented Programming.
- Software Development Tools and Methods
- Professional Issues
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate sufficient competence in English to benefit from the Programme. This is normally demonstrated by recognised awards equivalent to a TOEFL score of 550 in the written test or 213 in the CBT test together with a TOEFL Test of Written English of 4.0, or an overall IELTS score of 6.0 Candidates who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Course Content
The following modules are taken over a 2 year period, with core modules mandatory to complete. To be awarded the Masters degree, the learner needs to successfully complete 180 credits in total, comprised of 120 credits worth of taught modules and a 60 credit project:
Module
Human Computer Interaction: Selecting Usable Systems 15 Credits
Human Computer Interaction: Developing Usable Systems 15 Credits
Multimedia Specification, Design and Production 30 Credits
Measures and Models for Software Engineering 30 Credits
Software Engineering Practice and Experience 30 Credits
Research Methodology leading to Project Dissertation 60 Credits
Detailed module descriptions available upon request by directly contacting the college.
Accreditation & Other Awards related to the programme
This programme is awarded by the University of Hertfordshire, UK. Awards can be made at the following completion points with the programme:
60 Credit Points – Postgraduate Certificate; 120 Credit Points – Postgraduate Diploma;
180 Credit Points – Master’s of Science degree
Duration
Two academic years both full-time and part-time
Course Fees
EUR4,000 per year for two years
UK and Irish NQF Levels
UK NQF Level 7
Irish NQF Level 9