Postgraduate

Diploma in
User
Experience
Design
An ISA Software Skillnet programme
in association with the Dún Laoghaire
Institute of Art, Design & Technology
and the Irish Software Association

www.isa-skillnet.com/ux
Postgraduate
Diploma
in User 60
credits
Experience
Design at NFQ
Level 9

This is a programme for professionals working in

companies across the software and technology
sectors. It will develop the knowledge and skills
to design effective, engaging and enjoyable
user experiences.
This programme provides an advanced qualification in user experience design through a
series of practical, project-oriented modules.

User experience design involves a range of different activities, including user research,
requirements analysis, user interface and interaction design, prototyping, and user testing.
The demand for people with specialized competency in user experience design has been
growing in recent years in response to the increasing prominence and importance of
the field. This programme aims to produce skilled and knowledgeable user experience
designers to fill the software industry’s needs gap in this area.

The programme has been designed through a collaboration between companies in the
Irish Software Association (ISA), the Software Skillnet and Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art,
Design & Technology (IADT), a leading higher educational institute in the area of design
and technology. The curriculum has been tailored to industry needs and designed to allow
students to apply the skills and knowledge they learn in real-world projects as they
progress with their studies.
About this
programme
Who is it for?
The programme is aimed at professionals working in a range of different roles in
the Irish software sector including:
n Developers n Product owners
n Designers n Business analysts
n Project managers n Executives

What are the benefits to the employee?

As an employee, the programme will provide you with the tools required to gain a better
understanding of the end user and the skills required to design engaging and delightful
experiences. You will learn how to test hypotheses and make effective product design
decisions. The course of study and project work will also improve your ability to strategise
and make plans for user experience design and development.
The programme modules will provide opportunities for students to gain insight into
UX across a range of contexts.

What are the benefits to the company?

User experience is a key aspect of modern digital product design that has a significant impact
on factors such as user acquisition, retention and engagement. User experience design has
been found to have a positive effect on ROI with studies showing every $1 spent on customer
experience can yield a $10-100 return.
Companies will benefit from having staff knowledgeable in user experience design and capable
of producing good interactive experiences.
Employees on this programme will be encouraged to combine their project work for the course
with projects they’re working on in their day-to-day roles within their company. This will provide a
valuable contribution to the company while also spreading UX best practices by example.

US figures
show that every
dollar invested
in UX returns
$10 to $100
Modules
The Postgraduate Diploma in User Experience
Design consists of four modules delivered
part-time over two years.

Year One Year Two

Fundamentals of User Psychology, Usability
Experience Design and Visual Design
(10 credits) (20 credits)

n Understand core UX n Explore how

10 concepts and theory. psychology effects

users’ interactions with
n Practice several key
20
credits digital products.
UX activities including
user research, n Analyse and evaluate credits
prototyping and the usability and UX of
testing. your designs and the
designs of others.
n Learn a variety
of typical UX n Learn key principles of
methodologies. visual design.
n Apply the above in a
UX design project.
User Research and
Interaction Design
(20 credits) UX Design
n Master a range of
Engineering and
methods to understand
Strategy (10 credits)

20
credits
and empathise with
your users.
n Promote UX design
best practices within

10
n Analyse data gathered your organisation.
to make informed n Drive UX projects
credits
design decisions. through thoughtful
n Design and build planning and effective
effective, engaging and decision making.
delightful interactive n Embed UX within
experiences. a typical software
n Work on an industry- development lifecycle.
linked UX project. n Explore current trends
in UX design and the
potential impacts
of business and
engineering processes.

Notes
Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma have the option to apply to progress to an MSc.
This will involve completing a Research Proposal (5 credits) and Research Project (25 credits).
Course details
When does it start?
The course will run from late September to May each year with classes taking place two days
each month. Applications will close when all available places have been filled. Early application
is recommended to ensure a place on this very popular programme.

How much does it cost?

Programme Fee Grant-aided fee through
the ISA Software Skillnet

Postgraduate Diploma in
User Experience Design €7,000 €5,250
(NFQ level 9- 60 credits)
Payable as 2 annual instalments Payable as two annual
of €3,500 per year instalments of €2,625 per year

How do I apply?
For an application form and further application details contact info@isa-skillnet.com
or call the ISA Software Skillnet at 0818 919 820.

www.isa-skillnet.com/ux

Ireland has
a shortage
of UX
professionals

88%
of online
consumers
are less likely
to return to a
site after a bad
experience
Learning
partners
ISA Software Skillnet
ISA Software Skillnet is the National Training Network for companies in
the Software Technology sector. Lead by the Irish Software Association
within Ibec, it provides support for firms with software and technology
functions to enhance and skills and boost competitiveness.
For a full range of programmes and grant-support available to
companies see www.isa-skillnet.com.

Irish Software
Association
The Irish Software Association (ISA) is an Association within Ibec,
which represents the Digital and Software Technology Sector. Member
companies are a community of category-winning, scaling companies
that want to transform the markets in which they operate.

Dún Laoghaire
Institute of Art,
Design & Technology
Established in 1997, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and
Technology (IADT) provides a portfolio of undergraduate and
postgraduate courses that is unique in this country. The Institute
has a well established reputation in the fields of media, visual
arts, technology, psychology and enterprise. IADT’s core mission
is to be the leading Irish educator for the knowledge, media and
entertainment sectors – linking creativity, technology and enterprise.

The ISA Software Skillnet is funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme,
an initiative of Skillnets funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.