MRes in Human Computer Interaction
Focuses on the development of research skills in designing and evaluating interactive environments.
Course length:
12 months full-time
Structure:
Consists of four core modules, one optional module
and a research dissertation.
Assessment:
By coursework including reports, web-based
portfolios, poster presentations and essays.
Enquiries:
Informal enquires are welcome to the MRes Admissions Tutor.
The MRes in Human Computer Interaction is a unique UK programme which acknowledges the multidisciplinary facets of this field and represents a collaborative initiative involving 
Computing, Design and Psychology. It is a response to the increasing prominence of digital information in society and radical changes in the nature of our everyday interaction with such information through interactive devices (e.g. communication and computing systems, vehicular systems, health care support systems, and personal digital assistants).
Starting with 2008-2009 the programme has been redesigned to include beside Computing and Psychology Departments, the newly open Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Arts and the Imagination which is an exploratory research lab that investigates emerging issues, technologies and practices for product and places design.
Find out more about the course:
- Who Is This Course For?
- Read student profiles
- Course Features
- Modules & Dissertation
- Entry Requirements
- Fees
- Funding
- Enquiries
- How To Apply
Who is this course for?
The MRes in HCI supports the acquisition of knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the design and development of software systems that can be used easily, effectively and enjoyably. The programme also supports the development of transferable skills such as working in multidisciplinary design teams.
The course is particularly relevant to:
- Students who wish to prepare themselves for a higher degree
- Those wishing to develop research-led careers in areas such as human factors, interaction design, user interface, user experience.
Past MRes graduates have taken up posts in companies such as IBM, Xerox, and Hewlett-Packard or progress onto PhD research.
Read profiles of past students of the MRes.
Features of the course
Examining webpages usability by tracking eye-movement scan paths
- The course is delivered collaboratively by the Departments of Computing, Psychology and the Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Art. Computing and Psychology departments enjoy an international reputation for research excellence, and both were rated 5 in the last Research Assessment Exercise. Imagination is an exploratory research lab that investigates emerging issues, technologies and practices for product and places design.
- The programme offers state-of-the-art research facilities including an Innovative Interaction Laboratory and a Ubiquitous Computing Laboratory.
- The curriculum features a dynamic integration of computing, design, social science and psychology, which is used to address core topics in designing and evaluating systems interfaces.
- A wide range of design and evaluation methods are covered throughout the course, including qualitative and quantitative approaches (e.g., ethnography, protocol analysis, experimental analysis and eye-movement tracking).
- A unique 'collaborative design project' module, in which students work together designing for an audience of end-users.
- Dissertation projects can be undertaken in conjunction with collaborating end-user companies under academic supervision. Students' MRes research has been presented at prestigious international conferences, including British HCI, HCI International.
- Be in a Lancaster research team!
Flavour the excitement and commitment of our highly acclaimed research teams. You may complete your project within one of our research teams. - Studentships
Studentships available for well qualified UK and EU students.
Modules & Dissertation
Compulsory (students take all three)
- Interactive Systems: Research, Design and Evaluation
- Fundamentals of Design
- Collaborative Design Project
These modules have been designed to ensure high-level training in methodological, empirical and technological aspects of system design and evaluation. Students will acquire advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as design and implementation skills.
Options
The option module can be taken from a range of approximately 10 that are offered every year by the Computing and Psychology Departments as well as the Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Arts.
Dissertation
The dissertation typically involves a substantive piece of research into the design and evaluation of a novel interactive environment.
Entry Requirements
Applications are invited from students with good first degrees in Psychology, Computing, or a related discipline who wish to develop research-led careers in areas such as human factors, interaction design, computer science, and telecommunications. Early applications are always encouraged as spaces are limited. Informal enquiries in advance of full applications are welcomed, please see section on how to Apply.
Fees
Tuitions fees for 2008/2009 academic year (per annum) are:
Full time:
£3,530 for UK and EU students
£11,100 for non EU students
Part-time:
£1,765 for UK and EU students
£5,550 for non EU students
Fees are normally payable on Registration Day. Alternatively, you may opt to pay the fees in three installments with the first installment being due on Registration Day.
Course fees do not cover residential accommodation or living expenses. However, as a campus based University, Lancaster is a relatively inexpensive place to study. As a guide, a reasonable estimate of living expenses is about £7,500 for 12 months including rent.
Funding
We have EPSRC funding to support a number of studentships per year (for full-time UK applicants only). These studentships provide maintenance and fees support for the taught component of the MRes (from October to March). The remaining six months of the MRes form the Dissertation/Project stage of the course (from April to September). Students may choose either to support themselves during this stage or to obtain a funded, company-based project placement or internship. We will endeavor to assist all students in finding appropriate placement or internship opportunities, if desired, although such positions cannot be guaranteed. Students may also fund themselves throughout the course or may be supported by the companies that they work for.
Please note that the funding opportunities are reviewed each year.
Enquiries
All initial enquiries should be sent to:
Email: mresenquiries@comp.lancs.ac.uk
Address:
Computing Department,
InfoLab21,
Lancaster University
Lancaster, UK.
LA1 4WA.
How to Apply
The University now handles postgraduate applications online at https://www.pgapps.lancs.ac.uk. The system will guide you through the registration process.
Please note that applications will not be processed until references and transcripts have been received. For applicants who have not yet been awarded their degree, a note of final year modules and project title (if known) will be helpful.
To discuss detailed queries regarding course content and admissions please contact the MRes Admissions Tutor