University of Technology Sydney

C11272v1 Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design

Award(s): Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design (GradCertIDes)
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 24
Course EFTSL: 0.5
Location: City campus

Notes

This course is not offered to international students.


Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Inherent requirements
Assumed knowledge
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Articulation with UTS courses
Other information

Overview

Interaction design is concerned with designing interactive digital products, digital environments, systems, and services that can satisfactorily meet the needs and desires of the intended users. The Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design prepares and equips students with up-to-date theoretical knowledge and requisite practical industry-standard skills in this rapidly advancing field.

This is an entry-level course, part of an articulated postgraduate program in interaction design.

While industry demand for skilled interaction designers and various other jobs, such as user experience (UX) designers, service designers etc., is increasing, there is a lack of formal education/training offered by universities in interaction design. This course is designed to provide students with the most current and requisite skills in this fast-evolving field. Graduates possess skills in industrially applicable and cost-effective information environments (i.e. multimedia, interactive systems design and associated information technology). The course provides industry with graduates who can combine these skills with those of their original discipline in professional applications-oriented settings.

The course is committed to producing graduates who have a deep understanding of human-centred approaches to designing digital technologies. This ensures that 'products' created are more likely to 'fit' meaningfully into users' lives, because the design process is informed by a deep understanding of people's practices, particular situations and values.

The Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design is attractive to different types of learners, namely:

  1. those who are currently working in a job that is not related to interaction design
  2. those working in jobs closely related to interaction design, and
  3. those already working in interaction design-related jobs.

Course aims

In the core subjects students learn through the practice of an iterative human-centred design process to solve a real-world problem with actual users, developing skills to analyse, generate and transmit solutions to complex problems. They also gain advanced technical and theoretical knowledge in interaction design. Students also engage with interaction design for emerging computing contexts, gaining advanced knowledge and skills.

Career options

Graduates can gain employment in a range of technology design-related roles, such as interaction designer, UX designer, UX researcher, service designer, or digital experience architect.

For those currently working in closely related jobs, such as web design, graphic design, interface design etc., this course provides the necessary formal training in the discipline in order to make a more definitive move into jobs in interaction design. Similarly, many find themselves working within the field of interaction design without formal training, and this course provides a good foundation and opportunities to extend their interaction design skills more formally.

For those not working in a job related to interaction design, this course provides the opportunity to learn about the discipline and to transition into the various jobs under the interaction design umbrella.

Course intended learning outcomes

A.1 Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design graduates will use knowledge of Indigenous Australian contexts to apply to interaction design practices in an appropriate and sensitive manner when working with and for Indigenous Australians.
B.1 Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design graduates explore users' needs and problems.
C.1 Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design graduates are aware that human-centred design methodologies can be used to develop new ideas to solve user problems in sensitive and culturally appropriate ways.
D.1 Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design graduates have encountered a range of materials, technologies, and methods to implement interaction designs, and engage critically with the development of interactive artefacts.
E.1 Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design graduates use sound communication skills in diverse, cross-cultural teams.
F.1 Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design graduates are reflective practitioners who can manage and improve their own performance.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Applicants must have one of the following:

  • Completed Australian master’s or doctoral degree, or overseas equivalent

OR

  • Completed Australian bachelor’s degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma, or overseas equivalent with more than 75% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included)

OR

  • Completed Australian bachelor's degree, or overseas equivalent, with more than 70% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included) AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design

OR

  • Completed Australian associate degree (AQF 6), or overseas equivalent, with more than 75% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included) AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design

OR

  • Completed Australian advanced diploma (AQF 6) or diploma (AQF 5) or New Zealand technical and vocational NQF Levels 5-7, or other overseas equivalent AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design

Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:

  • Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
    • A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
    • A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
    • A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
    • An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
    • A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)

For applicants who need to demonstrate interest in the course:

  • Personal statement outlining:
    • capacity for postgraduate tertiary study
    • previous paid or unpaid work and/or life experiences that are relevant to the proposed course of study
    • demonstrated knowledge and/or interest in the proposed course of study
    • demonstrated awareness of expectations of the proposed course of study and its appropriateness to the applicant's needs
    • demonstrated commitment to study
    • other relevant experiences or information to support the application (e.g. evidence of any impact of disadvantages or inequity, experiences)

The English proficiency requirement for local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

Assumed knowledge

This course does not require formal training in IT, but experience in IT would be an advantage. Some subjects require development of various implementation skills, and so an enthusiastic approach to development of technical proficiency is important, but no previous knowledge is expected.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning is not available for this course.

The substitution of core subjects with an alternative/advanced postgraduate subject in a similar field of study may be granted.

Course duration and attendance

The course duration is one year of part-time study.

Course structure

This course totals 24 credit points of study, consisting of four interaction design core subjects.

Course completion requirements

STM91221 Core subjects A (Interaction Design) 24cp
Total 24cp

Course program

The program below shows a suggested sequence of subjects for a part-time student commencing the course in Autumn session. It is intended as a guide only and does not take into account such factors as recognition of prior learning, changes in attendance mode and subject availability, or satisfactory academic progress. Students should consult the Timetable Planner to confirm the availability of subjects in the current academic year.

Autumn commencing, part time
Year 1
Autumn session
42017 Fundamentals of Interaction Design   6cp
32516 Internet Programming   6cp
Spring session
32509 Advanced Interaction Design   6cp
95563 Data Driven Storytelling Studio   6cp

Articulation with UTS courses

This course is part of an articulated program comprising the Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design, the Graduate Diploma in Interaction Design (C06123), the Master of Interaction Design (C04222), and the Master of Interaction Design (Extension) (C04234).

Students who wish to articulate from this course to either of the master's courses are typically eligible for 24 credit points of recognition of prior learning.

Other information

Further information is available from:

UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887) or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS