Digital Interaction Design

Why study Digital Interaction Design at Dundee?

Our students are very diverse: some are technically minded, but also interested in design or art; others considered being artists, or other kinds of designers, but wanted to work with computers as well.

Our students are very diverse: some are technically minded, but also interested in design or art; others considered being artists, or other kinds of designers, but wanted to work with computers as well.

Digital interaction design could be for you if you want to combine your creative and technical sides. This opens up careers in interaction design in the creative industries, but also gives you skills that could take you in other directions as well, such as user research or the digital economy.

New Designers

Final year students are given the opportunity to showcase their work at New Designers in London along with over 4,000 other design graduates from around the UK.

New Designers brings the design industry together, helping to launch the careers of the attending design graduates. With over 18,000 visitor throughout the duration of the exhibition there is a great opportunity to be discovered.

86% of exhibiting courses had graduates receive offers of work, placements or commissions.

Industry Links

We are developing very strong links with world-leading companies. For the last two years, Microsoft Research has invited our students to take part in Microsoft Design Expo - the only university in the UK selected. This involved four of our students being flown out to Microsoft HQ near Seattle to present their work at Microsoft's research conference.

Recent students' projects have included:

• Ambient Alerts - for drivers to help diagnose faults with their vehicle
• a social networking app for charities to recruit volunteers
• ski slope cameras that film and send an edited video of each skier;
• an iPhone and scarf for people who cannot speak clearly
• and a touchscreen VJ's table for clubs.

Cutting edge facilities

Our students have access to all the facilities you might expect, with the support of expert technicians. Software includes Java, Final Cut Pro, Adobe CS, Pure Data and Processing; hardware includes iMacs and Apple G5s, Arduino and sensor kits, motors and servos, projectors and speakers, HD video cameras, lights, professional sound recording, editing and mixing. Other facilities include woodworking and electronics workshops, laser cutters and fabric printing.

You can find out more about what's going on in Digital Interaction Design at the DIxD website.

Related courses

• Animation
• Art, Philosophy, Contemporary Practices
• Fine Art (Digital Media, Drawing & Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture)
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Interior Environmental Design
• Jewellery & Metal Design
• Product Design
• Textile Design
• Time Based Art & Digital Film

Teaching & Assessment

Our students are gaining an international reputation for work that combines design, people and technology. This is due to an equal partnership between Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (djcad) and the School of Computing a very special relationship that has led to this pioneering course.

Our multi-disciplinary teaching team includes:

• interaction designers
• graphic designers
• computer scientists
• ethnographers
• sound engineers
• design theoreticians
• product designers

Careers

The skills you will gain as part of this degree are in high demand in today's digital world. At the end of the course you will be able to:

• use a diverse range of hardware and software skilfully
• prototype new interactions with digital technology
• understand how to involve users and clients in the design process
• use digital media to communicate your work
• present your work and the thinking behind it professionally
• work well in a team with people of different specialisms
• be ready to help to change digital culture and the digital economy

Due to their adaptable skill-sets, our students go into many different careers, from setting up their own businesses to joining a design consultancy.

Postgraduate study and enterprise

Some graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level on our Master of Design (MDes) or MSc Design Ethnography programmes.

Some have gone on to setting up their own successful businesses. Extra curriculum activities such as the Enterprise Gym help students cultivate entrepreneurial skills. The Greenhouse Business Pre-Incubator facility provides ambitious students with an office space to explore their business idea.

Entry Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Selection notes

We like to see a few examples of creative work at interview (of whatever kind, digital, photographic, hand-drawn or hand-made, it could also include more technical work). This need not be a full portfolio - but an excellent portfolio may be considered as roughly equivalent to a Scottish or Irish Higher or A-Level.

In the case of a telephone interview, work may be viewed online, emailed or posted.

Courses starting September 2013

Level 1 entry

Qualification	Grade
SQA Higher	BBBB
GCE A-Level	BCC
ILC Higher	BBBB
IB Diploma	30 points
Typical Subjects	One or more from Art & Design (or other creative subject), Product Design, an appropriate technical subject (eg Computing, Information Systems) plus an appropriate literate subject (SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, ILC Higher or IB Higher level)
EU & International	Visit our EU and International webpages for entry requirements tailored to your home country

Advanced Entry (to Level 2)

An informal portfolio, which should include interaction design-related work, is essential for Level 2 applicants.

Qualification	Grade
SQA Advanced Higher	BB (Advanced Higher) + BB (Higher) in different subjects
GCE A-Level	ABB
IB Diploma	34 points (including 6, 6, 5 at Higher level)
Essential Subjects	One or more from Art & Design (or other creative subject), Product Design, an appropriate technical subject (eg Computing, Information Systems) (SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A-Level or IB Higher level) plus an appropriate literate subject (SQA Higher, GCE A-Level or IB Higher level)

Other Qualifications

Qualification	Grade
SQA	A relevant HNC with B in the Graded Unit (Level 1 entry) A recognised Foundation Course or a relevant HND with BB in the Graded Units (Level 2 entry)
Scottish Baccalaureate	Pass with CC at AH (Level 1 entry) Pass with BB at AH (Level 2 entry)
EDEXCEL	A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DMM (Level 1 entry) A recognised Foundation Course or a relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DDM (Level 2 entry)
Advanced Diploma	Grade C with ASL A-levels in appropriate subjects at BC (Level 1 entry) Grade B with ASL A-levels in appropriate subjects at AB (Level 2 entry)
Welsh Baccalaureate	Pass with A-levels in appropriate subjects at BC (Level 1 entry) Pass with A-levels in appropriate subjects at AB (Level 2 entry)
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.
All qualifications should include a relevant Art and Design subject, literate subject and preferably a technical subject.

 

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category	Fees for students starting September 2012	Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students	£1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.	DJCAD Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships
Students from the rest of the UK	£9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree. You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.	University of Dundee Bursaries DJCAD Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships
EU students	£1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.	Other Scholarships
Overseas students (non-EU)	£11,461 per year.	DJCAD Academic Scholarships Other Scholarships

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

• Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
• Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
• As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree	UCAS Codes	KIS data
BSc Digital Interaction Design	WG24	View KIS data for this course

UCAS Application Process

International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

• Your Home Country - including information about qualifications from individual countries
• Fees and Funding
• English Language Requirements
• International Student Support

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact: