IIE Postgraduate Diploma in User Experience Design - Distance

Overview

This qualification equips designers, software developers, engineers and digital communication or marketing professionals with the knowledge and skills to design user-friendly, satisfying products that enrich people’s lives. Students will be introduced to collaborative and user-centred approaches in designing intuitive interactions and easy-to-use interfaces. Students will learn to conduct user research, apply design thinking, explore new and emerging technologies and project management approaches in prototyping and creation of products that strategically align functional product objectives with user needs.

Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma graduates can progress into The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in User Experience Design should they wish to upskill or pursue career opportunities in the field of User Experience Design.

Modules:

Semester 1

• Principles of Interaction Design
• User Experience Design

Semester 2

• User Experience and Technology
• User Experience Research Methodology

Semester 3

• User Experience Project Management
• User Experience Design Project

Principles of Interaction Design

The purpose of this module is to explore cognitive and psychological considerations of interaction design, principles of usability and the ethical and legal concerns related to accessible design. This module enables students to define guidelines for user-friendly interfaces and critically evaluate their impact on User Experience.

User Experience Design

Students will be introduced to the fundamental building blocks of user experience design and will apply user centred design processes while exploring UX design methods and tools to inform meaningful User Experience design outcomes.

User Experience Research Methodology

This module will play an important part in developing students’ abilities to gather, analyse, interpret, and evaluate data to inform strategic User Experience design outcomes. Students will engage with the processes, methods, and tools of UX research for a deeper understanding of appropriate research processes and techniques.

User Experience and Technology

This module examines the dynamics between technology and User Experience and provides students with the contextual background to evaluate and explore the possibilities and appropriate use of various technologies to design meaningful User Experiences for South African, African, and global contexts.

User Experience Project Management

The module will unpack the various project-management approaches and develop students’ abilities to identify and select multi-disciplinary teams and manage UX design projects. Learn how to engage with project-management aspects such as preparing and presenting project proposals, defining project-scopes and milestones and costing projects.

User Experience Design Project

Students will learn how to practically apply the knowledge, principles and skills gained form the completed modules to design and present a cohesive and consistent User Experience Design solution supported by sound interaction- and user centred design principles, accompanied by a smart project plan.

Distance delivery includes:

• A distance learning system that leads students through the content, prescribed material and activities.
• Distance academic navigators (tutors) who are subject experts and maintain the human experience of the learning process.
• Weekly live sessions with your distance navigators.
• A dedicated success navigator who supports students throughout the learning journey.
• Purpose coaching pods that enable you to explore and develop your professional identity and potential.
• Access to our distance information centre and resources.

Note:

While you can generally structure your study time as you need, there are scheduled distance sessions during which you will get mediated support. Scheduled assessments in the form of online activities, assignments and exams are paced to ensure your studies progress.

Device and Connectivity Specifications Required for Online Study:

• Reliable internet connection (we recommend 5-10 GB of data per month and an internet speed of at least 0.15 Mbps).
• Desktop PC or laptop with at least an i3 processor and 4GB RAM memory.
• Windows 8 or macOS 10.15 (Microsoft Office 365 is available as a free download for IIE students), and Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge Chromium or Firefox.
• A working webcam and microphone.
• An uninterrupted power supply is also highly recommended.

Exams are written at an exam centre and in some instances online. These details will be specified in your programme assessment schedule.

Please note synchronous sessions generally take place after hours.

To succeed in your distance journey, you need to be:

• Self-motivated and invested in your learning journey.
• Disciplined and able to balance studying with work and family commitments.
• Able to direct your own studies, maintaining a diligent pace.

To assist you in succeeding in your distance journey, our teaching approach is:

• Student-centric: we facilitate your thought processes to foster innovative ideas and creative solutions.
• Authentic: we use real-life examples and case studies.
• Activity-based: We move your learning forward through applied activities and assessments.
• Discussion-based: we ask you questions and stimulate debate to provoke deep thought and insights about course content.

Entry Requirements

• An appropriate HEQSF Level 7 Bachelor’s degree, Advanced Diploma or an equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification.

International Admission:

• A SAQA Evaluation Certificate with NQF L7 equivalence in an appropriate field.

Senate Discretionary Admission:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Where candidates do not satisfy the formal admission requirements for this qualification, The IIE may consider an admission application in terms of the Qualification Completion, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Articulation and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy (IIE010).
• If applicant does not meet minimum admission requirements and there is no alternative (such as completion of NQP modules) but they have relevant experience, the following must be requested to consider admission via RPL:

1. Certificates for all formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc). SAQA certificates must be provided for any international qualifications.

2. CV to determine whether the following are related to the qualification that the applicant is applying for:

a. Formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc)

b. Relevant work experience