Nowadays the success of a product mainly depends on how well it can be used or handled. Manufacturers attach increasing importance to product design and arousing the right emotions in buyers. The degree course in UXD provides precisely this much sought-after qualification. The aim is to make the man-machine interface as effective as possible for a particular user by means of user centred design. The focus is on the user experience with the product in terms of technology (programming), design and conception (usability).
User Experience Design (B. Sc.)
Contents
With a standard study period of seven semesters, the programme was developed to address changing requirements in the area of product development, usability and marketing – also with regard to aspects such as values, emotions, cultural differences/problems, etc.
The term ‘user experience’ includes all aspects of what the user experiences when using a product or when interacting with a product, computer programme or service. This term has grown in importance enormously since the internet and smartphones (with apps) have become more widespread.
The job profile of a ‘User Experience Designer’ is geared towards making the use of a product (often software, IT systems or websites) as pleasing and as straightforward as possible based on a user-centred approach, thereby achieving a positive impact on the user.
The UX designer considers visual design on the one hand but also information architecture (What information am I looking for? How do I find the information? What is the optimum path through a website?) and information design (How do I present the information?).
A UX designer provides the link between product development, IT/implementation, visual and audio design, ergonomics, marketing/branding, trends etc.
The diverse fields of application of UX design has led to a need for university graduates who have a basic knowledge of design as well as the ability to create IT user interfaces. The course in User Experience Design gives students precisely this background, while also allowing them to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge in the fields of IT, design, psychology, business administration, communication studies and the social sciences.
The standard period of study for the bachelor’s degree course is seven semesters. The course breaks down into two degree phases. The first phase comprises two theoretical study semesters while the second phase builds on this basis over an additional fourth semester (both theory and practical work) as well as a practical fifth semester.
Structure
First study phase
Students taking this degree course vary considerably in terms of their previous knowledge. In order to balance out this diversity, the first degree phase focuses on harmonising students’ basic knowledge of IT (IT Fundamentals, Introduction to Programming 1+2), design (Design Fundamentals 1+2), mathematics and statistics, as well as business administration, marketing, social sciences and communication studies.
Second study phase
In the second degree phase, students acquire more in-depth knowledge in the areas of IT, design, psychology, communication studies and the social sciences. Further specialisation is provided by means of specialist optional compulsory modules.
IT:
Software design and understanding programming, testing and optimising systems for user-friendliness, familiarisation with and application of technologies for man-machine interaction, understanding and applying prototyping techniques, performing user tests (incl. web usability), familiarisation with web technologies and acquisition of web design skills, developing concepts for virtual environments and looking into futuristic application scenarios.
Design:
Shaping the man-machine interface, developing and animating interaction concepts, making interactive systems user-friendly, mastery of methods and tools, applying a user-centred design process, conceptualisation and layouting of web pages, mastery and application of design processes, creating computer graphics, presentation techniques such as making videos, product design, research and market analysis with regard to design (design styles, trends etc.), innovation design.
Psychology, communication studies and social sciences:
Analysing technologies for their capabilities and limitations in terms of human interaction, familiarisation with the fundamentals of human behaviour and experience, understanding human perception, developing and implementing marketing concepts, acquisition of communication skills, working effectively in teams, offering and receiving criticism, identifying and resolving conflicts.
Curriculum
1. Semester
Introductory Project
Software Development 1
Mathematics
Principles of Design 1
Typography and Sketching
English
2. Semester
Fundamentals of Computer Science
Software Development 2
Statistics
Principles of Design 2
Information Psychology
3. Semester
Web Technologies
Software Engineering
Design of Human-Machine Interfaces
Human-Machine Interaction Technologies
Fundamentals of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship
4. Semester
Web Design and Web Usability
Product Design
Computer Graphics / 3D-Design
Principles of Human-Machine Interaction
Project Management
5. Semester
Preparatory Seminar for the Internship
Internship
Wrap-Up Seminar of the Internship
Information and Media Competence
6. Semester
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Project
Experimental Design and UX Testing
Security of Mobile and Web-based Applications
Subject-specific Seminar
Subject-specific Elective Courses
7. Semester
Subject-specific Elective Courses
Seminar Bachelor's Thesis
Bachelor's Thesis
Quick Info
Applying for a degree course
Students may only begin their degree in the winter semester.Registration dates
Applications for this degree may be submitted through the online application system from 2 May to 15 July.Admission requirements
Please find all information on admission and application on our Bachelor application pages
- Admission requirements for international students
If you wish to study at a German University, you need a so-called Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), or higher education entrance qualification. This is a secondary school-leaving certificate that corresponds to the German Abitur and entitles you to study.
Students from abroad must apply for admission from the university of their choice. For your application, you will require for a Bachelor's degree:- a school-leaving certificate (also known as "university entrance qualification", e.g. High School Diploma, Matura, A-Levels, Bachillerato, Atestat, baccalauréat)
or
- proof that you have passed the university entrance examination (if required in your home country)
- a school-leaving certificate (also known as "university entrance qualification", e.g. High School Diploma, Matura, A-Levels, Bachillerato, Atestat, baccalauréat)
The area of user experience design is very exciting and highly dynamic. In order to be successful, a UX designer has to be active in the community and make a name for themselves. We recommend that students should write about their degree assignments and other projects during their degree course, for example in the relevant online media, in a blog or on Twitter: this will enable them to build up a “portfolio” (rather like an application dossier) for later job applications. This of course also includes networking with like-minded individuals at UX events such as BarCamps, local UX meet-ups and LinkedIn groups, as well as commenting on blog posts. The best way to break into this area is by means of interaction, discussion and dialogue.
The dual studies programme enables a combination of practical training elements in a company with the theoretical education provided by the university. There is a choice of either the joint model (academic study + vocational training) or the degree course with vocational experience (academic study + intense practical phases). There is an obvious advantage to students here: practically oriented academic study generally enables a particularly smooth transition from university to the world of work. What is more, the student usually receives financial remuneration from the company concerned.
In the joint model, students may start working at the company several months before the start of the first semester, depending on the company concerned. At the start of the course there is an alternation between theory (during the semester) and practical experience (between semesters and during the practical semesters). In order to embark on a dual studies programme, students have to apply to both a company and to THI (be sure to take note of company application deadlines!).
More info on our dual studies-pages, or check dual cooperation partner companies. Even if no partner company is currently active in this degree programme, you are welcome to contact us.
The course enables students to embark on a career in software development (programmer), design or usability engineering in medium-sized and large companies, as well as in design agencies and other organisations.
The course allows students to acquire the following job skills:
Design of IT-based interactions with individual product perception (definition of requirements, layout drafting, user guidance, specification and product integration)
Development of IT-based interactions with individual product perception (project management, system design, implementation, software testing, software verification)
Sales of IT-based interactions with individual product perception (market analysis, product conception, development of sales strategies, training and start-up)
Evaluation of IT-based interactions with individual product perception (ergonomic evaluation, volunteer trials, acceptance analyses and assessment).
A UX designer provides the link between product development, IT, design, ergonomics and marketing. As such, the job can involve the following (word cloud):
programming, implementation, system design, prototyping, usability testing, user interface design, interaction design, web design, usability engineering, research, requirements analysis, user insights, surveys, evaluation, ergonomics assessment, acceptance tests, product conception, project management, etc.
Programme director
Programme director UXD (B.Sc., M. Sc.), Research professor CARISSMA (automated driving), Head of Human-Computer Interaction Group
Prof. Dr. techn. Priv.-Doz. Andreas Riener
Phone: +49 841 9348-2833
Room: B210
E-Mail: Andreas.Riener@thi.de
Prof. Dr. techn. Priv.-Doz. Andreas Riener
Phone: +49 841 9348-2833
Room: B210
E-Mail: Andreas.Riener@thi.de
Academic advisor
Module Handbook
The module handbook contains information on prerequisites, contents, learning outcomes, ECTS points, duration, work load, literature, references of the offered modules and lectures.
Modulhandbuch (status SS 2021)
Study and Examination Regulations
Study and examination regulations (SPO) deal with judicial matters concerning your study course. Please turn to the pages of the legal department for Statutes of this course.
For any questions on requirements, exams regulations and more, please turn to the Service Center Study Affairs.
