Usability Engineering, MSc

Overview

This English‑taught Master's program focuses on designing interactive systems that are intuitive, efficient and satisfying for real users. It tackles the common frustration with hard‑to‑use devices and software by training you to make usability a core part of product development. The curriculum combines strategic and methodological knowledge with hands‑on practice so you can move from user research and concept generation to concrete implementation across a wide range of applications.

What you will learn

The course emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches: you will learn to integrate technical, cognitive, and design perspectives to meet business and user needs, adapt to changing workflows, and meet high standards for quality and efficiency. Expect project‑based learning that builds practical skills in user‑centred design, evaluation methods, and collaborative development—preparing you to contribute at every stage of the product lifecycle.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles in industry and academia where interactive systems are created and refined. By strengthening and complementing your undergraduate background, the program enhances your employability in fields such as human‑computer interaction, UX design, usability testing, product design and user research. With its international and interdisciplinary orientation, you will be well placed to work wherever products are built for hands‑on use.

Admission requirements (typical)

• A relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent (e.g., in computer science, design, engineering, psychology or related fields)
• Proof of English proficiency (program is taught in English)
• Academic transcripts and a curriculum vitae
• Motivation statement/letter of intent
• Any additional documents requested by the university (e.g., portfolio, references or interview)

This three-semester Master’s program combines classroom learning with hands-on practice to build a strong foundation in usability engineering. During the first two semesters you follow core modules that strengthen both theoretical understanding and practical skills. Teaching includes practical training courses and interdisciplinary, real-world projects designed to develop technical competence as well as interpersonal and social abilities.

Key subject areas covered include human factors, psychology, intercultural management, usability analysis techniques, visualization, and the strategic implementation of usability methods. The curriculum also emphasizes complementary competencies such as strategic management, usability consulting and targeted communication so you can operate effectively across different organizational settings and contribute to usability-driven decision making.

In the third semester you complete a Master’s thesis under the supervision of a university professor and, where possible, in cooperation with a company. The program places high value on academic quality and the practical relevance of thesis topics, supporting students who wish to pursue applied research or industry-linked projects.

Requirements / structure (concise)

• Program length: three semesters.
• Semesters 1–2: theoretical and practical core modules, practical training, and interdisciplinary projects based on real-world issues.
• Core module themes: human factors, psychology, intercultural management, usability analysis techniques, visualization, strategic implementation of usability methods.
• Additional competencies: strategic management, usability consulting, targeted communication, interpersonal and social skills.
• Semester 3: Master’s thesis supervised by a professor and ideally carried out in cooperation with a company; emphasis on high academic standard and practical relevance.

Graduates are prepared for roles where interactive systems are designed, evaluated and improved for real users. Typical career paths include usability/user experience (UX) specialist, usability consultant, interaction designer, UX researcher, product designer and roles in strategic management related to user-centred development. The combination of methodological rigour and practical skills makes graduates attractive to technology companies, consultancy firms, design studios and research institutions.

Because the programme emphasises interdisciplinary and international approaches, alumni can work in multi-cultural teams and take positions that require collaboration between technical, business and user-centred stakeholders. The training in usability analysis, visualisation and communication also supports careers in usability consulting and targeted stakeholder engagement.