Politecnico di Milano Masters Degrees in Human-Computer Interaction

Why study Human Computer Interaction and Design?

Smart devices (mobile phones, PDAs, tablet computers), smart products (car, navigation) and smart environments (ambient intelligence) are enabling new services that require innovative interfaces. Human-Computer Interaction and Design (HCID) focuses on the study, design, development and evaluation of novel user interfaces, interactive systems and services.

Why choose Human Computer Interaction and Design at EIT Digital?

The EIT Digital Master's degree HCID is an interdisciplinary programme where our User-Centred Design approach places the users at the centre of the design process. By combining human aspects (both at a cognitive, aesthetic and sensory-motor levels) to technological and business aspects, we create new products and services with great usability and user experience, and a solid customer demand, which often translate into commercial success.

HCID serves as the bridge to new products and services. Students learn how to design and define how people interact and live with the modern ever changing technical world.

What are the carrier opportunities?

Graduates from the HCID master’s programme qualify for jobs in international and local organizations in both technical and business roles. Graduates could become:

• User experience (UX) or interaction designer
• UX Architect
• Usability engineer
• Interactive systems engineer
• Human factors expert
• Business developer
• Product manager
• Consultant

Through their multidisciplinary attitude, HCID graduates are valuable in open innovation settings where different aspects (market, users, social aspects, media technologies) come together. They can choose to work within companies that provide value-added products and services, such as game companies, e-learning, web developers, and entertainment. An alternative path would be to start your own company to provide product or technology development, media content, business development or consultancy services.

How is the programme structured?

All EIT Digital Master School programmes follow the same scheme:

• Students study one year at an ‘entry’ university and one year at an ‘exit’ university in two of EIT Digital’s hot spots around Europe.
• Upon completion, graduates receive degrees from the two universities and a certificate awarded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
• The first year is similar at all entry points with basic courses to lay the foundation for the chosen technical programme focus. Some elective courses may also be chosen. At the same time, students are introduced to business and management. During the second semester, a design project is combined with business development exercises. These teach how to turn technology into business and how to present a convincing business plan.
• In between the first year and the second year, a summer school addresses business opportunities within a socially relevant theme.
• The second year offers a specialisation and a graduation project. The gradation project includes an internship at a company or a research institute and results in a Master thesis with a strong innovation and entrepreneurship dimension.

To learn more about the structure of the programme, please click here.

Where can I study Human Computer Interaction and Design?

Entry - 1st year, common courses

• Aalto University (Aalto)
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
• Université Paris-Sud (UPS)
• University of Twente (UT)
• Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM)
• Polytechnic University of Milan (Polimi)

Each Entry University in HCID provides an introduction course to HCI, working knowledge to the design and implementation of interactive systems, necessary usability evaluation methods and a multi-disciplinary design project.

Exit - 2nd year, specialisation

• Accessible and Adaptive Interaction, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM)
• Cognitive Interaction, University of Trento (UniTN)
• Intelligent systems, University of Twente (UT)
• Mobile and ubiquitous interaction, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
• Multimodal interaction, TU Berlin (TUB)
• Situated Interaction, Université Paris-Sud (UPS)
• User Modeling for Advanced Human-Computer interaction, Aalto University(Aalto)

To learn more about the I&E minor please click here.

About EIT Digital Master School

EIT Digital Master School offers two-year, European Masters in computer science and information technology, with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Students study two years in two leading European universities. They earn two Masters degrees from those universities together with a certificate awarded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Students enjoy an array of benefits which includes European mobility, a three-day business challenge, a two-week Summer School, an internship and access to the EIT Digital community. Upon graduation, students are equipped with the tools to become digital innovators.

Scholarship:

·        European citizen: No tuition fees. Up to 750 Euros monthly allowance

·        Non-European citizen: tuition fee waiver of up to 50% and 750 Euros monthly allowance

Application deadline to begin studying in September 2018:

·        15 April 2018 (Open to EU/EEA/CH citizens/ Non-EU citizens*.)

*Please note that this application period is not recommended for applicants who require a visa due to time constraints. If you require a visa to study in an EU country, we recommend you delay your application to November 2018 when the application portal opens again, to start in Autumn 2019.

How should you apply?

To apply, you need to register and submit your application on the EIT Digital Application Portal. You don’t need to do your application all at once. You can access the list of required documents for your application here.

Need more information?

Master School Office: [email protected], we will be happy to help.