Design Research MSc



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Overview

One of the first of its kind in the UK, this MSc Design Research course blends the practices of a designer and a researcher into one coherent pathway.

This new approach to design comes off the back of a shift in the industry, brought about by new disciplines like User Experience (UX) Design, which has led to an increased demand for designers focused on qualitative methods of research in fields such as Service Design, Policy Design, Systems Design, and Design Strategy.

This programme aims to equip you with the tools and knowledge required to:

  • Become an effective and reflective design research practitioner who can navigate employer and client needs
  • Gain a critical understanding of design and design research as both a career and a practice
  • Engage and reflect on different aspects of design research and how it can contribute to a more fair and just society
  • Effectively apply practical, critical, evaluative, and analytical human-centred design for diverse populations
 
 
 
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Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

1 years

Course details

This programme's approach to learning, teaching and assessment draws on a wide range of strategies which will empower you with the skills to become an independent and flexible life-long learner.

Tutors will use a variety of strategies and formats to share their knowledge on theoretical and practical aspects of design research.

The course offers a face-to-face learning strategy supplemented by a digital learning environment (Moodle) in which students receive information about the modules, reading lists, activities, assessments, etc. Students can also be invited to join online synchronous and asynchronous sessions to complement on-site activities. Face-to-face sessions will have a broad range of approaches. 

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    How you’ll be taught

     Teaching activities might include: Lectures: key issues in theory and practice are outlined and academic debate is encouraged and facilitated.  

    Tutorials/Seminars: involving students in student-centred tasks such as analysis of issues, debates, presentations, role playing, problem-based learning (PBL), case study analysis, open discussion sessions, and student research papers.  

    Studio based workshops: covering core skills in design and research methods often utilising specialised equipment and or software.  

    Work-placement: integrating practice and theory and direct experience of the industry whilst developing contacts.  

    Studio visits: with the opportunity to hear from leading practitioners on site, this also enables the development of industry connections.  

    Independent individual or group work: this may include research or task-oriented exercises, casework, group projects that replicate conditions in industry (which could involve student peer assessment), simulations, and oral presentations.  

    Guest Lectures and seminars: featuring a wide range of speakers and guest lecturers from industry. 
     
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    Assessments

    Assignments in the taught section of this programme ask students to apply their knowledge to scenarios from the outside world.  Assessments are practical deliveries and presentations of solutions.  In the Major Project, students are expected to work under their own initiative guided by a supervisor to conduct a research project of their choosing.

    The assessment of students is explicitly linked to the pedagogical processes and learning outcomes of the degree programme. Assessment is informative and diagnostic, as well as summative and evaluative. The process will provide students with constructive feedback. Students will be given the opportunity to pursue original thought and ideas and encouraged to question received opinion. Forms of assessment include, but are not limited to:  

    Coursework (case studies, essays, reports, projects, and practical exercises).  
    Project work (individual or collaborative).  
    Tasks aimed at the development of specific skills (including skills in writing reports, conducting user testing, data analysis etc.).  
    Portfolio work (including reflective journals, practical exercises, etc.)
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    Facilities

    MSc Design Research and its sibling course, MA Service Design, are taught in dedicated studios based in Merchiston Campus.

    Teaching and learning are specifically designed to take advantage of the studio facilities and atmosphere. The studios are a collaborative space where peer feedback and involvement are encouraged. The PG studios are situated in close proximity to dedicated computer suites exclusive to students in the School of Arts & Creative Industries.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Design Research?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above. We look for applicants to have a background in any discipline in order to be eligible for the programme.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission into Design Research based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2025/26 2026/27
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,650 £tba
Overseas and EU £19,750 £tba
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

What can you do with an MSc Design Research degree?

Once you have obtained your degree in MSc Design Research from Edinburgh Napier University, you will have opened up opportunities to build a future career in the Design industry within the growing and in-demand field of Design Research.

Within this field, some specific roles you could find yourself working in include:

  • Design Researcher
  • Government Researcher
  • Digital Product Designer or Consultant
  • User Experience Designer or Consultant

What are the current prospects in the Design Research industry?

In Scotland, and in particularly Edinburgh, Design Researchers are in demand from employers such as the Scottish Government, NHS SCotland, and creative agencies such as Dentsu and Nile.

The average salary for UK design researchers is £60,250 (Glassdoor, 2023). Junior Designers typically earn between £25,000 - 34,000.

 

 
 
Merchiston campus