User Interface Design
Undergraduate
HND
Digital Communication and Graphic Design for Business
Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Course
Two year
Four year
Next enrolment
September 2023
In a nutshell
This course will provide you with the opportunity to develop the technical, contextual and ethical requirements to work across a broad range of digital creative employment opportunities.
It will allow you to develop an understanding of Digital Design and Customer Interactions utilizing motion and interactive platforms and how to strategically deploy them. You will also investigate the importance of Design Prototyping in developing and proposing interactive online and offline artefacts and services.
This programme is subject to approval.
You will:
- Engage with and learn the practical skills required to become a front-end developer core software for web and motion design.
- Access the knowledge of the broad landscape of digital employment form corporate business to start up initiatives and freelancing
- Understand through live projects the workflow and structural patterns of project development from inception to completion.
All about the course
The course has been developed with a variety of digital industry senior professionals, the majority of which are alumni of the University of Salford.
The structure below reflects a two year pathway. Modules may include:
Year one
This module allows you to develop the skills in conceiving, designing and producing engaging user interface design. You will learn how to produce industry level interface design from rapid prototyping to engaging with professional standard software on exciting design projects.
Mobile, Media and Marketing
This module covers:
- Contemporary marketing in a mobile-first world:
- Anticipating, understanding and fulfilling customer needs and desires
- Creating and curating social media content to engage audiences
Motion Design
Motion has become a critical part of effective digital design and communications. This module will take you through the processes of digital storytelling and narrative building to creating a dynamic piece motion design developing skills in editing, visual effects and outputting content for various digital media channels.
Innovation and Technologies
The pace in which emergent technologies impact the creative direction of digital industries is rapid. Being able to adapt and be responsive to new platforms is essential for the modern designer, this module embraces a sense of creative play where you can explore new tech such as web apps, AR and VR design and their application within Digital Communications and Graphic Design.
Client Communications
This module will show you how to communicate with and nurture relationships with clients. This will include how to understand, articulate and interpret live briefs and projects and progress to delivering appropriately constructed and designed content to a deadline.
Year two
User Experience Design
This module approaches User Experience Design from a theoretical and practical aspect. You will develop skills in developing the user journey and to build successful user experiences. Strategic thinking will meet Interface design and to make functional UX to meet the needs of a specific live project/client.
Planning and Pre-production
This module covers the basics of what you will need to do, as industry professionals, before a shoot in order to make sure it is properly put together. This covers topics from insurance, cast management and risk assessment to health, safety and budgeting.
Advanced Innovation and Technologies
Professional Development
This module will develop your organisational, entrepreneurial, networking and presentation skills. You will develop team working and leadership knowledge and understanding to allow you to position yourself positively in the external global marketplace.
Final Major Project
This module takes you right out into the real world of production. It provides you with the opportunity to showcase your creative and digital media skills through engagement with, and delivery of, a live industry brief.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Be part of a creative, supportive community
This course is delivered by the Salford School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology. Our focus is to ensure that you have the skills you need to pursue your dreams, and we encourage our students, past and present, to collaborate with each other and achieve great things.
Whatever you choose to study with us, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there, you’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond.
What about after uni?
Graduates can go straight into industry, working for a wide range of employers in various roles.
Career Links
The BBC, Bentley, Barclays, Very, Adobe, PZ Cussons, McCanns are some of the big brand names we have worked with. There is an ever-widening net of opportunity, and influential agencies and studios such as Design By Day, Made By Shape, Code, and The Neighbourhood are creatives with whom we have contact.
What you need to know
As an applicant, you will:
- want to be engaged in an intensive two-year experience that will make you industry ready for the requirements of the digital industries.
- want to learn the technical underpinning of interactive and motion software and technology.
- have a keen interest in designing and developing relevant strategic digital strategies to be deployed across a variety of channels.
- be keen to push your technical understanding and skill set to become an form a specialist direction in either interactive, motion or strategic digital production.
- want to gain an appreciation of how multiple tools are deployed in creating multichannel campaigns for both commercial and non-for-profit organisations.
- want to engage with and understand the business area of digital design in addition to the technical and creative requirements.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this.
Standard entry requirements
GCSE
English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required. Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
72 points
A Level
72 points
BTEC Extended Diploma
MMP
Scottish Highers
72 points
Irish Leaving Certificate
72 points
For International students
English language requirements
If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5. We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
We also accept a range of other English language qualifications
Alternative entry requirements
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2023/24 | £8,250per year |
| Full-time international | 2023/24 | £15,120per year |
| Part-time | 2023/24 | The part time fee is calculated on a pro rata basis |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
For more information go to International Scholarships.