This programme is offered in collaboration between the University of Tampere (UTA) and the Tampere University of Technology (TUT). Students can deepen their knowledge in course units that cover a wide range of topics from user experience and emotions to innovative use of facial behavior like gaze and expressions, touch, speech, and human physiology in user interfaces. The programme leads the students to scientific thinking and writing as well as to hands-on work in various course projects.

Graduates' typical jobs include interaction or UX designer, usability specialist, researcher, user experience architect, and software developer.

Although the programme is available in essentially the same format at both universities it is recommended that those applicants mainly interested in interaction design, development of interactive software or research apply to UTA and those mainly interested in user experience apply to TUT. That way the majority of their course units will be organized by their home university.

Learning Outcomes

Students having completed the Master’s degree will

• have a thorough command of some aspect of computer sciences
• be familiar with scientific thinking and capable of applying scientific working methods in their own are of specialization
• be motivated for lifelong learning
• be capable of undertaking scientific postgraduate studies
• be capable of applying the knowledge acquired and of functioning in internationalizing working life
• be capable of communicating in scientific situations
• be conversant with the ethical norms of the field and apply these in their own work

Students having completed the Master's Degree Programme in Human-Technology Interaction will

• know product development methods in theory and practice well enough to work independently in research and product development,
• know user interface design and software development methods well enough to work as a HTI specialist in product development.

Study Planning and Guidance

The Faculty of Communication Sciences and the Master's programme in Human-Technology Interaction have study advisors who give detailed information to degree students on the structure and content of the studies and help the students in planning and updating their personal study plan (HOPS).

Progressing in your Studies

Studies in this programme take place at both universities, UTA and TUT.

The structure of the Master of Science Degree (120 ECTS):

Advanced level course units 40 ECTS cr

Master's thesis 40 ECTS cr

Other studies 40 ECTS cr

• General studies (language studies etc.)
• Complementing studies
• Optional studies

University students are in charge of their own studies, they are obligated to plan and complete their studies and to conduct self-assessment. Also, students are responsible for obtaining the information required in their studies. (University of Tampere  - a Good Academic Community)

Working Life Connections

After graduating students have a unique opportunity to be one of the people who design the future. Many work opportunities are available: for example, interface developer who has the skills to implement advanced solutions that broaden the capabilities of current devices and interfaces; interaction designer who studies people in their natural environments and creates technology designs; and usability and user experience specialist who makes sure that the technology designs are easy to use and fit human purposes, including the entire experience we have with technology, its packaging, and related services.

Internationalisation

Tampere University is committed to promoting justice and equality in society, to enhancing the well-being of citizens at home and abroad, and to advancing multiculturalism and sustainable development.

The University of Tampere is committed to promoting justice and equality in society, to enhancing the well-being of citizens at home and abroad, and to advancing multiculturalism and sustainable development.

Programme studies foster multicultural contacts. Many teachers and students have an international background, and teaching groups combine both international and Finnish students. Language and Intercultural Communication courses are offered by the University Language Centre.

Degree students can apply to take exchange studies abroad and then transfer the credits taken to the University of Tampere (UTA) degree. Both UTA bilateral exchange agreements worldwide and School-level exchange agreements especially in Europe can be utilised. UTA supports taking an internship abroad, and usually it is possible to get ECTS credits for an internship too. Programme students are also encouraged to act as student tutors to new arriving exchange and degree students.

Degree students can include an internationalisation module in their degree certificate if enough internationalising studies have been taken. For more on this please see http://www.uta.fi/studies/study_abroad/internationalization_module.html.