User Experience (UX) Design BSc (Hons)



Optimise the interactive world of devices and systems, and champion and affect change as a User Experience Designer.

Course overview

User Experience (UX) Design is a creative dynamic discipline that encourages curiosity, creatively expressed through the voice of people. This exciting course encourages you to explore the world of interaction design and user experience with devices and systems.

If you have an insatiable curiosity to speculate on the future and understand people's experience as they interact with devices and systems - then this course is for you!

This course will develop your skills in identifying unmet needs and defining them by incorporating them into the process of design. Learn how to ingrain digital user experience design principles into your work and prepare for a career in the industry.

During your studies, you will develop an impressive portfolio of work that you can easily use for applying to a broad range of user experience jobs.

Equipment from the micro controller and coding course

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

I104

Course details

At the beginning of the course you will gain an introduction to computing, design and digital media production.

You will then learn about user experience (UX) for different domains, including mobile applications, physical computing, and the web. As well as how new technological advances, such as AI can influence design.

In Years 3 and 4, you will further develop your skills in designing and evaluating ubiquitous systems, user experience and creative technologies.

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    How you’ll be taught

     You will be taught through lectures, hands-on tutorials and blended experiences.
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    Assessments

     The course is assessed primarily through project work and written reports or essays. On occasions when examinations are used they tend to be open book format.
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    Work placement

    A year-long Work Based Learning module is available for this programme which can be undertaken in Year 3 that consists of 60 credits.

    In Year 2, students attend timetabled Placement Preparation sessions which provides comprehensive information about sourcing a placement, tips for enhancing CVs, cover letters and interview preparation. An Employability & Careers Placement Coordinator is available to support students with their placement applications and approving placements as part of the course. Whilst on placement, students undertake work-related assessments alongside gaining valuable work experience. If this option is chosen, the course duration will be extended by one trimester.

    If students are not undertaking the year-long placement, then there is a Group Project or the Professional Internship Module in Year 3 (one trimester) which gives students the opportunity to complete a project for an external client.

    Find out more about Computing Placements.
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    Study abroad

    International study is available and is intended to develop overall graduate attributes and global citizenship. We have several agreements with overseas partner institutions, both in the EU and further afield, providing varied and exciting opportunities tailored around your individual study and cultural interests.

    Currently, links are established with universities in the USA, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Singapore, and Germany, where programmes are delivered in English, whilst additional links are planned with other European countries and Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
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    Facilities

    This course is taught in person at our Merchiston campus.

    We have some of the most impressive computing lab facilities of any UK university. We offer not one, but two specialist digital media labs.

    Students who study User Experience have access to the Sensorium, a high spec UX Lab, including Eye tracking and Facial Expression analysis software.

Popular modules

Year 1

Trimester 1

  • Experiencing the Digital City
  • Being Digital
  • Sonic Culture

Trimester 2

  • Programming for Interactive Media
  • Digital Imaging
  • Producing Digital

Year 2

Trimester 1

  • Practical Interaction Design
  • Digital Video Development
  • Expressed through UX

Trimester 2

  • Playful Interaction
  • AI for Creative Industries
  • Information Interaction

Year 3

Trimester 1

  • User-Centred Research Methods
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Creative Technology

Trimester 2

  • Group Project
  • Designing the Visual Interface
  • Technoculture & Society

Year 4

Trimester 1

  • User Experience
  • Experiential Design
  • Internship (option)
  • Honours Project (60 credits)

Trimester 2

  • Professional Practice through Portfolio
  • Honours Project (60 credits) - continues

Meet your Programme Leader and Teaching Team

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from experienced professionals and industry leaders who bring valuable expertise, insight and real-world perspectives to your learning experience.

Programme Leader: Ashley Morton.

Course tutors include Jp Vargheese.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for User Experience?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBC
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • CCC

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level.

Scottish HNC

  • HNC with C in the graded unit in any subject 

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades D*D (Distinction*, Distinction) in related subject.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

  • Minimum grades MM (Merit, Merit) and A Level grade C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4.

T Levels

  • T Level - Merit with additional A Level at grade B
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths.

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • HNC in Design (Digital Design & Web Development or similar) or HNC Computing, User Experience or Engineering with a B in the graded unit (or equivalent).

Other HNC qualifications may be considered, please contact Undergraduate Admissions for advice.

Scottish Advanced Higher

  • Advanced Higher BBC to include to include at least one of the following subjects: Maths, Computing, Physics, Engineering Science, Design or Art & Design
  • Advanced Higher BB and Higher BB to include at least one of subjects listed above. 

A Level

  • BBB to include at least one of: Maths, Physics, Computing, Engineering Science, Design or Art and Design.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DDD (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • HND in: Digital Design & Web Development, User Experience Design, Visual Communication (Digital Design) or Web Development with a B in graded unit(s).

Other HND qualifications may be considered, please contact Undergraduate Admissions for advice.

 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2026/27 2027/28
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,790 tba
Overseas and EU £21,120 tba

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers & employability

Students at work in the cyber security room

What can you do with a BSc (Hons) User Experience (UX) Design degree?

In our innovative course, you'll learn to place the user at the centre of the design process, mastering the skills needed to create intuitive and engaging digital experiences that delight users and drive business success. From conducting user research to prototyping and usability testing, you'll gain a deep understanding of the principles and practices of UX design.

User experience design courses equip students with the skills required for a successful career in the following fields:

  • User Experience (UX) Designer
  • User Experience (UX) Developer
  • Creative Technologist
  • Front-end Designer
  • Usability Designer
  • Game Designer/Developer
  • Mobile/Wearable App Designer/Developer
  • Web Designer/Developer
  • UX Researcher/Design Researcher

You will study the latest methodologies and tools in UX design, gain practical experience through hands-on projects and industry collaborations. As you explore topics such as information architecture, interaction design, and user interface prototyping, you'll acquire the expertise sought after by top companies and design agencies.

You'll emerge as a highly skilled UX designer, ready to tackle the challenges of designing innovative digital products and services that meet the needs of users and exceed their expectations. Whether you dream of working in tech start-ups, digital agencies, or corporate innovation labs, our degree programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

What does a UX Designer do?

As a UX Designer, you will embark on a journey to enhance user experiences by utilising your empathy, creativity, and problem-solving skills. In this role, you'll be the advocate for users, ensuring that every interaction with a product or service is intuitive, seamless and delightful. You will be conducting user research, gathering feedback, and iterating on designs to create solutions that meet user needs and exceed expectations.

From wireframing and prototyping to conducting usability testing, you will be working alongside designers, developers, and stakeholders to create user-centric experiences. Whether you're designing mobile apps, websites, or software interfaces, your focus will be on creating experiences that are not only visually appealing but also intuitive and accessible to a diverse audience.

As a UX Designer, you'll have the power to shape the way people interact with technology, making complex systems feel simple and intuitive. Your passion for understanding user behaviour and solving design challenges will drive you to create experiences that leave a lasting impression, fostering loyalty and engagement among users.

Students studying in the computing lab