Top 10 Grad Schools for UX and Interaction Design
Table of Contents
- The ten at a glance
- Master of Human-Computer Interaction, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
- Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design, University of Washington (UW)
- M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction, Georgia Institute of Technology (GT)
- Interaction Design Programme, Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID)
- Master's Programme in Interaction Design, Umeå University (Umeå IxD)
- Human-Computer Interaction MSc, University College London (UCL)
- MA/MSc in Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh (UoE)
- MS in Design, Stanford University
- M.F.A. in Design and Technology, Parsons School of Design
- S.M. in Media Arts and Sciences, MIT
- How to choose between them
- Tips for applying to UX schools
If you want a master's degree in UX or interaction design, these ten graduate programmes are a good place to start. They are well known in the field and cover the main types of programme: HCI degrees, design school degrees and one-year studio courses. This is an editorial shortlist, not a formal ranking. To compare 86 programmes side by side, see our best UX and interaction design programs table.
The ten at a glance
| School | Programme | Length | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI) | 1 year | Pittsburgh, PA |
| University of Washington | Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design (MHCI+D) | 11 months | Seattle, WA |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction (MS-HCI) | 2 years | Atlanta, GA |
| Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design | Interaction Design Programme (IDP) | 1 year | Bergamo, Italy |
| Umeå University | Master's Programme in Interaction Design | 2 years | Umeå, Sweden |
| University College London | Human-Computer Interaction MSc | 1 year | London, UK |
| University of Edinburgh | MA/MSc in Design Informatics | See school site | Edinburgh, UK |
| Stanford University | MS in Design | 2 years | Stanford, CA |
| Parsons School of Design | M.F.A. in Design and Technology | 2 years | New York, NY |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | S.M. in Media Arts and Sciences | 2 years | Cambridge, MA |
Length, class size and entry rules below come from each school's published information. Check the school's own site before you apply, because these details change.
Master of Human-Computer Interaction, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
The MHCI is run by the Human-Computer Interaction Institute in CMU's School of Computer Science. It started in 1997 and takes one year, taught over three semesters. About 60 students join each year. The largest part of the degree is a seven-month capstone with an outside client. A portfolio and the GRE are optional. CMU also offers a two-year Master of Design in Design for Interactions through its School of Design, with about 10 students a year.
Learn more about the MHCI. See also how to get into a UX program at CMU.
Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design, University of Washington (UW)
The MHCI+D is an 11-month, cohort-based degree in Seattle. Four units run it together: the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, Human Centered Design and Engineering, the Information School and the School of Art, Art History & Design. Most of the work happens in studios, and the year ends with a capstone for an industry sponsor. Applicants send a PDF with portfolio or project links and a one-minute video. The GRE is not required.
M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction, Georgia Institute of Technology (GT)
Georgia Tech's MS-HCI is a two-year degree run jointly by four schools. Students enter through one of four tracks: Interactive Computing, Industrial Design, Literature, Media and Communication, or Psychology. About 55 to 65 students join each year. A portfolio is required for some tracks, and the GRE is not required.
Interaction Design Programme, Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID)
CIID's Interaction Design Programme is a one-year, full-time studio course, now based at CIID's studio in Bergamo, Italy. The class is small, about 24 students a year, and the teaching is hands-on studio work. Applicants send two or three selected works as a PDF. Check what qualification it awards and whether that matters for your plans.
Master's Programme in Interaction Design, Umeå University (Umeå IxD)
Umeå Institute of Design in northern Sweden runs a two-year, 120-credit master's in interaction design. It started in 1996 and takes about 10 to 14 students a year, so the studio groups are small. Applicants send a portfolio of 8 to 12 samples, and the school asks you to say where you used AI.
Human-Computer Interaction MSc, University College London (UCL)
The HCI MSc is taught by the UCL Interaction Centre (UCLIC) in London. UCL describes it as sitting between engineering, the behavioural sciences and design. It takes one year full time, and part-time and flexible study are also possible. No portfolio is required, which makes it a good fit for applicants from psychology or computing.
MA/MSc in Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh (UoE)
Design Informatics at Edinburgh combines design with data and computing. It suits people who want to design with data, connected devices or AI rather than only screens. It brings together Edinburgh's design and informatics teaching. It is not in our programmes table yet, so check length, fees and entry rules on the university's site.
MS in Design, Stanford University
Stanford's MS in Design Impact has been replaced by a two-year MS in Design, run with the d.school. The class is small, about 13 students a year. Applicants send a digital portfolio. The focus is broader than UX: it covers product, service and social impact design.
M.F.A. in Design and Technology, Parsons School of Design
Parsons' MFA in Design and Technology is a two-year, 60-credit degree in New York, with a summer bootcamp before the first term. It is a large programme, about 80 students a year, that mixes design with code and new technology. A portfolio is required.
S.M. in Media Arts and Sciences, MIT
The MIT Media Lab's master's in Media Arts and Sciences is a two-year research degree. Students join one of the lab's research groups and work on new kinds of interfaces and technology. It is a research programme rather than a UX practice degree, so it suits people who want to invent interactions more than design products. A portfolio is required, and the GRE is not accepted.
How to choose between them
- HCI or design school? CMU's MHCI, Georgia Tech and UCL are HCI degrees with strong research methods. Umeå, CIID and Parsons are design schools with studio teaching.
- One year or two? One-year programmes such as CMU's MHCI, UW's MHCI+D and CIID cost less time but move fast. Two-year programmes leave room for an internship.
- Portfolio or not? If you come from psychology, computing or another non-design field, look for programmes where the portfolio is optional or not required.
- Cost. Tuition differs by tens of thousands of dollars. Our programmes table shows the latest published total for each one.
Tips for applying to UX schools
- Read each programme's admissions page and note the deadline, the fee and what you must send.
- Shortlist programmes that match your background, budget and the job you want after you graduate.
- Prepare your portfolio early. Show your process, not only final screens.
- Ask the programme or current students where recent graduates work.
- Write a statement of purpose for each school. Say why that programme fits you.
- Apply to more than one programme, because places are limited.
- Prepare for interviews, if the programme holds them.
See the rest of the UX schools and programmes.
