Design Graduate, Michael Ford
Overview
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely whilst the Australian border remains closed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely.
About this course
The Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts enables you to design for the future using the emergent technologies of today.
This program infuses technological innovation with human‑centred design thinking. The result is an understanding of ways to design interactive products and systems that will have lasting cultural and commercial importance.
Learn to design across multiple platforms and scales – from wearable computing and mobile applications to interactive architecture, responsive environments and urban informatics. Your ideas may become the basis of prototype products, patents or startup services.
Through a series of collaborative design studios and technical workshops, you will acquire the essential knowledge and skills for envisioning, creating and evaluating innovative solutions to a range of design challenges.
You can adapt this program to suit your interests by taking electives from other faculties. You will also build a compelling portfolio showcasing not only your design skills but also your understanding of how best to convey the user experience of new products and services.
The course culminates in a capstone research project, industry internship or graduation design project.
Commonwealth Supported Places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
Subject areas
Shared pool
Your entry requirements
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Your fee
How to apply
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
What you'll study
To qualify for the award of the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts, a candidate must complete 72 credit points, including:
(a) minimum 18 credit points of core foundational units of study; and
(b) minimum 18 credit points of core advanced units of study;
(c) minimum 12 credit point capstone unit of study; and
(d) maximum 24 credit points of elective units of study
The following is an indicative progression for the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts:
Year 1
Unit code |
Unit of study |
Sem |
CP |
IDEA9103 |
Design Programming |
1 |
6 |
IDEA9105 |
Interface Design |
1 |
6 |
IDEA9106 |
Design Thinking |
1 |
6 |
ARIN6905 |
New Media Audiences** |
1 |
6 |
IDEA9201 |
IDEA Laboratory* |
2 |
6 |
IDEA9202 |
IDEA Studio* |
2 |
12 |
DESC9117 |
Sound Design for New Media** |
2 |
6 |
Year 2
Unit code |
Unit of study |
Sem |
CP |
IDEA9301 |
Graduation Studio |
1 |
12 |
IDEA9311 |
IDEA Research Internship |
1 |
12 |
Credit points required per semester: 24
Indicative progression based on a 72 credit point master’s degree with a Semester 1 enrolment.
* These units are corequisites
** These units are electives; you can choose other options.
Note: In Year 2, Semester 1, you may pursue a capstone research project as a pathway to PhD research instead of the Graduation Studio unit.
You can further tailor your degree by replacing either of the 12 credit point capstone units (Graduation Studio or IDEA Research Internship) with two 6 credit point electives.
Admission requirement
A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts will have a bachelor's degree with a credit average.
Credit for previous study
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
Course opportunities
You will become proficient in the design of interactive experiences and the creative use of new technologies for application in a wide range of professional, design and industry settings.
By adding a specialisation in Audio and Acoustics or Illumination Design, you can diversify your course. This will differentiate your skill set and enable you to work in the emerging area of interactive sound and lighting in entertainment, buildings and public spaces.
Career Pathways
Graduates of the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts will become proficient in the creative use of new technologies which they can then utilise in a practical way in a wide range of professional and artistic settings. Areas studied in this course will prepare them to perform in roles such as interaction designer, usability engineer, new media artist or creative director.The world is changing, and university education needs to change too
Domestic students
International students
