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

Start date:

Sep

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.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Advanced Design Research ( DES11165 )

In this module you will learn advanced methods of design research. The module will focus on conducting ethical human-centred evaluative research to improve the provision of designed outcomes. Module content will include Evaluative Methods and Usability Testing. You will gain an appreciation of statistical data and quantitive analysis as well as the application of qualitative Analysis, when these methods are appropriate and how they might complement each other.Over the course of the module you will learn the theory and application of a number of methods that you will be expected to use in your future working life. Learning on this module is undertaken in the studio and you will develop your assessments in class over the course of the module, receiving formative feedback in class. You will use your learning to engage with and select a research study to undertake. You will then undertake the proposed study and report on your experience and any discoveries from both undertaking and performing evaluation in the module.

Further information

Business & Strategy ( DES11158 )

In this module you will learn the main models of organisational design, and the role that design can play in leading and contributing to an organisation’s strategic objectives. Using Agile methods, you will learn to conceive and develop business cases for innovative service offerings. You will learn to compare and contrast up front design and iterative approaches.This module will help you to understand the principles of business strategy and design's role in contributing to and developing this strategy. This module covers principles of business management and entrepreneurship. You will learn how to use the process of design to help a business achieve growth and prepare for an unpredictable future. Subjects taught in this module include how to understand and develop organisations. In this way you will learn how to organise and prepare teams of people to prepare for new challenges. By learning Agile project management techniques you will gain skills in managing complex product deliveries and bring them to market.Continuous assessment is practiced in the tutorials which are held in your dedicated studio. You will use your self guided study time to prepare for these tutorials where you will gain peer and tutor feedback. Formative feedback is provided on a regular basis in the studio.

Further information

Communicating Research ( DES11166 )

This module will give you the skills to communicate your research using techniques appropriate to a wide range of audiences. You will learn how to generate recommendations from analysis of research to improve goods, services and working practices, and how to communicate your work persuasively. You will also learn how to report research within appropriate legislative frameworks.This module is delivered in a combination of formal lectures and studio workshops. In the workshops you will be introduced to techniques and skills necessary for delivering the assessments. In these sessions you will also receive faculty and peer feedback as you develop responses to your assessments.As the digital landscape changes significantly over time, you are not expected to formally learn any specific software to deliver your work. You are free to use any format you feel comfortable with to deliver your work. You will also be in a situation in the studio where peer learning and sharing is a natural part of the course. It is expected that the cohort will introduce and share skills, applications and techniques to each other and the tutors.

Further information

Ethics and Inclusivity ( DES11167 )

In this module you will become familiar with the necessity for ethical and inclusive research. You will learn approaches for ensuring a diversity of participants are included in your work and why this leads to more valuable insights. You will also be introduced to the practice of being a responsible professional, alongside some of the limitations of human-centred research.Equitable and inclusive approaches to design are a fundamental philosophy that guides this programme and is expected to guide your practice as a researcher. In this module you will explore the fundamental theories behind ethical and inclusive practice.You will be introduced to the principles and theories behind inclusive and universal design in a series of lectures with guidance for self study. You will be expected to contribute examples and discussion from your own reading. To complement the taught session, you will work on applied activities in studio based workshops. In the workshops you will receive formative feedback as you develop responses to the assessments.

Further information

Foundations of Design Research ( DES11157 )

This module will give you a solid grounding in the theory and practice of methods required for rigorous design research. In this module you will focus on conducting ethical human-centred generative research to improve the provision of designed outcomes. Module content will include Generative Methods, Qualitative Analysis, Prototype Testing and how to generate opportunities from insights.

Further information

Future State Design Research ( DES11160 )

This module will arm you with the skills and tools for looking beyond the provision of current services. Over the course of this module, you will learn methods for creating and communicating speculative visions of services for future users. You will also gain an understanding of the importance of these approaches in the service design industry.

Further information

Major Project (Discovery) ( DES11161 )

In this module you will conduct a thorough research investigation of a topic suitable for development in your major project. You will investigate and report on literature around the topic, and conduct preliminary primary research as appropriate. You will develop and propose a plan to conduct over the course of the next stage of the project covered in the Major Project (Realisation) module.

Further information

Major Project (Realisation) ( DES11162 )

In this module you will action the plan and realise the opportunities identified in the Major Project (Discovery) module. You will conduct a self directed project and engage in appropriate research and practice to deliver evidenced proposals. You will be guided through the process by a supervisor who will provide formative feedback on your work in progress.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

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