Human Computer Interaction (HCI)

Overview

This English-taught, research-oriented Master’s programme runs over four semesters and builds expertise in designing interactive IT artefacts for real-world human practices, with a particular eye toward mobile and ubiquitous applications. The curriculum emphasizes core HCI topics — interface and user-centred design, usability engineering, qualitative empirical methods — and the integration of organisational and technological development processes. The course balances conceptual foundations with hands-on skills so you can confidently conceive, design, implement and evaluate socio-technical systems where humans and machines work together over the long term.

Teaching at Siegen stresses close engagement with users and contexts of use: rather than relying only on quantitative lab studies, the programme embeds design work in ethnographic, field-based methods and strong user involvement, an approach the department calls Grounded Design. Research and instruction are tightly linked across several university areas (Business Information Systems and New Media; Computer-Supported Cooperative Work; IT for the Ageing Society; Cyber-Physical Systems; Experience & Interaction; IT Security & Consumer Informatics), and students frequently contribute to research projects carried out in collaboration with industry, giving the programme practical relevance and opportunities for genuine scientific work. The department also maintains international teaching and research partnerships — see https://hci-siegen.de/current-projects-jobs/ for an overview.

Degree requirements and structure (key points)

• Duration: 4 semesters (Master of Science)
• Language of instruction: English
• Core components: mandatory lectures, research seminars, and three practical projects
• Practical experience: voluntary internship available
• Final component: Master’s thesis
• Typical career paths: research, UX/UI design, consulting, software development, management and related roles

This curriculum combines a solid foundation in human-centered computing with hands-on project work and current research training, culminating in an independent master’s thesis. The taught portion is built around core HCI fundamentals, a consolidation elective focused on a topical area, three practical projects, a sequence of research seminars (or an optional internship), and interdisciplinary coursework. After these units, students complete a 30 ECTS Master’s thesis that integrates practical and research skills.

Core modules (Basics of HCI) develop both theoretical and applied competencies: one 9 ECTS module (Humans & Technology) covers Human–Computer Interaction methods and analysis & evaluation techniques; the other 9 ECTS module (Design & Psychology) focuses on user experience design and psychological principles for interaction. These give you the ability to design, evaluate and interpret user-centered systems.

The programme emphasizes practice and up-to-date research. You complete three project modules (Project A, B and C — 9 ECTS each) that change regularly, ensuring exposure to varied, real-world design and development challenges. The Current Research in HCI sequence (three 6-ECTS elements) requires seminar participation drawn from a rotating pool, training you to engage with contemporary literature, present findings, and conduct small-scale research; an HCI internship (6 ECTS) may be taken in place of the third research seminar to gain professional experience. The Consolidation elective lets you deepen expertise in either ubiquitous computing & usable security or in computer-supported cooperative work & collaborative learning.

Interdisciplinary Contexts broaden your perspective by requiring 18 ECTS of coursework from other fields (choose either two 9-ECTS modules or three 6-ECTS modules), supporting cross-disciplinary problem solving and communication. Overall learning outcomes include: mastery of HCI theory and methods; practical design, prototyping and evaluation skills; ability to conduct and communicate research; experience with teamwork and project management; and readiness to carry out an independent, research-oriented Master’s thesis.

Key requirements (ECTS and module structure)

• Basics of HCI: 18 ECTS total
  • Humans & Technology (9 ECTS): Human–Computer Interaction / Analysis & Evaluation
  • Design & Psychology (9 ECTS): User Experience Design / Psychology
• Consolidation (pick one, 9 ECTS):
  • Ubiquitous Computing & Usable Security (9 ECTS) OR
  • Computer-Supported Cooperative Work & Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (9 ECTS)
• Practice: 27 ECTS
  • Project A (9 ECTS)
  • Project B (9 ECTS)
  • Project C (9 ECTS)
• Current Research in HCI: 18 ECTS (three parts of 6 ECTS each)
  • Current Research I (6 ECTS): two seminars from a rotating pool
  • Current Research II (6 ECTS): two seminars from a rotating pool
  • Current Research III (6 ECTS): two seminars from a rotating pool
  • OR replace Current Research III with HCI Internship (6 ECTS)
• Interdisciplinary Contexts: 18 ECTS
  • Either two modules × 9 ECTS OR three modules × 6 ECTS
• Master’s thesis: 30 ECTS (final research project)

For the latest list of elective and seminar offerings, consult the programme’s current module overview (link provided in the original materials).

Graduates move into a range of roles where human-centred interactive systems are central: UX/UI design, usability and user research, product and interaction design, software development with a focus on user experience, consulting, and further academic research (e.g. PhD programmes). The programme’s mix of research experience and applied project work — often in collaboration with industry partners — prepares students to work in interdisciplinary teams and to lead design- and research-driven initiatives.

Alumni commonly find positions in research institutions, technology companies, design consultancies, and organisations that develop socio-technical systems for healthcare, mobility, smart environments and consumer applications. The practical projects and optional internship help build a professional portfolio and industry contacts relevant for both practitioner and research career paths.