User Experience Design BSc (Hons)
Study this User Experience Design degree course co-developed with the industry to give you up-to-date knowledge, skills and techniques that prepare you for a career in digital.
Key information
UCAS code:
P305
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Interactive technologies such as touchscreen and smart devices, face and voice recognition systems, and virtual and augmented reality applications (VR/AR) are becoming more embedded in our everyday lives. Become the architect of these applications and experiences on our User Experience Design degree course.
You’ll learn how to develop online and offline digital projects and code innovative, interactive content for marketing and data-sharing purposes – ranging from websites to mobile applications to AR, VR, and wearables. You’ll also study how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and extended reality (XR), are transforming the way we interact with technology.
This course can prepare you for entrepreneurship if you want to start your own business, or learn about industry from the inside by going on a placement. Our strong industry focus ensures your technologies, techniques and competencies are always up-to-date.
After this course, you'll transform into a skilled user experience designer and developer capable of working across all sectors adopting interactive technologies.
Course highlights
- Learn how to develop, integrate, and manage digital media products delivered through various digital outputs, based on user experience/user interface design
- Get valuable experience working with real clients and live project briefs
- Use industry-standard tools and techniques—including Adobe Creative Suite—to design and produce a range of interactive digital applications
- Specialise further in an area or discipline that interests you, sharpening your career prospects
Accreditation
This course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Services), a group of industry professionals and employers.
The JAMES accreditation lets potential employers know that this course gives you the relevant skills and abilities you need to work in the industry when you graduate. This gives you an edge over students who didn’t do an accredited course when you’re applying for jobs.
JAMES reviews our accreditation every three years to make sure the course content remains up-to-date with industry trends and developments. So you’ll always be learning skills relevant to your career.
Interactive Technologies Showreel
Interactive Technologies Showreel
Watch our showreel featuring students' creative interpretations of global warming.
Discover what you can achieve by studying on this Interactive Technologies degree course.
See some of the work from our interactive technologies students. [No dialogue.]
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
BSc (Hons) User Experience Design
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
We accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Facilities
Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR)
Create stunning works for film, TV, music, gaming and immersive reality in the UK's first integrated facility of its kind.
Virtual Reality Lab
Our VR lab boasts the latest immersive and interactive technologies used by the ever-evolving VR industry.
Motion Capture Studio
Learn how to use the same professional motion capture equipment used in the VR, game design, and film industries.
Careers and opportunities
Virtually all sectors require user experience design to ensure they create products that best achieve the needs of their target audiences. You’ll graduate with current skills and knowledge to work in many industries, adapting to whatever aspect of user experience design you want to specialise in.
You can also freelance or continue your studies to postgraduate level.
Placement year (optional)
After your second or third year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate.
You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.
Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – our exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Should I go on a placement year?
It is not only about making tea and coffee in an office: a placement can transform your career, personal, and study development. Our students who've been on placements say they were the best experiences of their lives.
Find out more about the benefits of doing a placement on our Creative Careers blog.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
There are no optional modules in the first year of BSc (Hons) User Experience Design.
Each module is 20 credits.
Core modules
- Agile Project Management and Team Working
- Digital Culture and Creative Industries
- Future Technologies
- Generative Arts
- Introduction to Interactive Development
- User Experience Design
Core modules
Each module is 20 credits.
- Interaction Design
- Rich Media Website Delivery
- Usability Theory and Practice
- Creative and Critical Research Design
- Mobile Application Development
Optional modules
- Creative Technologies Study Exchange (60 credits)
- Engaged Citizenship through Interdisciplinary Practice (20 credits)
- Interactive Data Visualisation (20 credits)
- Maker Lab (20 credits)
- Professional Experience (20 credits)
- Student Enterprise (20 credits)
Core modules
- Final Year Project (40 credits)
- Client-led Project – Project Initiation (20 credits)
- Client-led Project – Project Resolution (20 credits)
Optional modules
Each module is 20 credits.
- Artificial Intelligence
- Communication Design
- Creative Platforms
- Interactive Database Development
- Internet of Things
Between your second and third years, or after your third year, you can choose to study abroad or do a paid or self-employed work placement. You'll get a taste of another culture or apply your knowledge and skills to professional practice—both of which will enrich your overall studying experience and CV.
You'll have to take one of these optional modules to complete your sandwich year.
- CCI Work Placement – Full Year (40 credits)
- CCI Self-Employed Placement – Full Year (40 credits)
- CCI Placement Plus – Full Year (40 credits)
- Creative Technologies Study Abroad – Full Year (120 credits)
- Creative Technologies Study Abroad – Half Year (60 credits)
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- practical projects
- work portfolios
- essays/review articles
- multiple choice tests
- oral presentations
- examinations
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- laboratory sessions
- online lessons
- project work
Teaching staff profiles
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £18,800 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
If you take the Student Enterprise Module, you’ll need to pay an additional cost of approximately £20.
You'll need access to a digital camera for one of the optional units.
For the Optional Creative Platforms (level 6) module there is the cost of buying a professional domain name for your professional career portfolio.
You may need to contribute up to £20 towards occasional coach trips.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – P305
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.