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Postgraduate · September intake

Digital Design Futures MA

A twelve month MA at Leeds in immersive and experiential design, taught with virtual and mixed reality headsets, motion capture and eye tracking.

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Tuition per year £33,700 as publishedThis fee is the one the university prints on its own page for this course, read off that page on the date shown. It is their figure and not an estimate of ours. Fees are set a year at a time and can change between the year you read this and the year you start, so ask us to confirm it before you rely on it.
IELTS
6.5 as publishedThis English requirement is the one the university prints on its own page for this course, read off that page on the date shown. It is their requirement and not a reading of ours. Departments raise and lower what they ask for during the year, and some ask for a minimum in each paper as well as overall, so ask us to confirm it before you book a test.
Duration
12 monthsFull time
Award
MA
Intake
September

Figures checked 9 November 2026 Ask us to confirm them for your course

Overview

This MA is about designing for immersion and engagement: the theory of how people experience digital products, and hands-on work with the software and hardware UX designers use now. It suits graduates in product or industrial design, UX, human-computer interaction or design and art.

The first semester covers design research methods and experiential practice, and the second adds design speculation: imagining and testing what digital design could become. The third semester is a supervised specialist project worth 60 credits.

Students work in the school's XLAB, which has virtual and mixed reality headsets, motion capture, haptic gloves, eye tracking and EEG. A two week online Global Industry Programme sets a live brief from a company. Assessment is through proposals, design portfolios, an online exhibition, presentations and essays.

Graduates go into UI and UX design, interaction design, game and concept design and VR, AR and MR development, and some go on to a PhD.

Curriculum

Entry requirements

Academic
A 2:1 bachelor degree, preferably in product or industrial design, UX, human-computer interaction, or design and art. Graduates of other subjects with relevant experience are considered, and a portfolio may be requested.
English
IELTS 6.5 as publishedThis English requirement is the one the university prints on its own page for this course, read off that page on the date shown. It is their requirement and not a reading of ours. Departments raise and lower what they ask for during the year, and some ask for a minimum in each paper as well as overall, so ask us to confirm it before you book a test.

Careers opportunities

Hiring in this field is decided on a portfolio rather than on a transcript, and the degree's job is to build one. A large share of graduates work freelance or on contract for the first few years, often alongside a studio job.

Roles graduates go into

  • Designer or practitioner in your discipline
  • Studio assistant
  • Art director
  • Creative producer
  • Arts administrator
  • Freelance commissions

Where they work

  • Design studios and agencies
  • In-house brand and product teams
  • Galleries, museums and arts organisations
  • Publishing and print
  • Self-employment and commissions
After the course

There is no register to join. What replaces it is a body of work, and most graduates spend the first two years building it in paid assisting roles.

Fees and funding

Tuition, international students£33,700 as publishedThis fee is the one the university prints on its own page for this course, read off that page on the date shown. It is their figure and not an estimate of ours. Fees are set a year at a time and can change between the year you read this and the year you start, so ask us to confirm it before you rely on it.

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Where you will study

University of Leeds

We list 2 other universities in Leeds, so settling on the place still leaves a choice inside it.

The region
England
Universities we list in Leeds
3 this one among them
Courses there, all told
521 across every university we list in it
See the university Every university we list in Leeds
Leeds
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