Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design
Note
This course is not offered to international students.
This course is ideal for professionals aiming to enter or advance in the field of interaction design, which focuses on creating user-centric digital products and services. Choose this course to stay ahead in this dynamic sector, gaining both theoretical insights and hands-on industry-standard skills demanded by employers.
What sets this course apart is its blend of current theory with practical application, tailored to meet industry needs. You will acquire expertise in designing information environments and interactive systems that are both functional and cost-effective.
You will learn to apply human-centred design principles, ensuring your creations are seamlessly integrated into users' lives by understanding their practices and values.
Whether new to the field, looking to enhance related skills, or already an interaction design professional, this course will elevate your competence and employability in a variety of roles within the industry.
If you successfully complete this course, you will be eligible to upgrade to a related master’s course.
While industry demand for skilled interaction designers and various other jobs, such as user experience (UX) designers, service designers etc., is increasing, there is a lack of formal education/training offered by universities in interaction design. This course is designed to provide students with the most current and requisite skills in this fast-evolving field. Graduates possess skills in industrially applicable and cost-effective information environments (i.e. multimedia, interactive systems design and associated information technology). The course provides industry with graduates who can combine these skills with those of their original discipline in professional applications-oriented settings.
The course is committed to producing graduates who have a deep understanding of human-centred approaches to designing digital technologies. This ensures that 'products' created are more likely to 'fit' meaningfully into users' lives, because the design process is informed by a deep understanding of people's practices, particular situations and values.
The Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design is attractive to different types of learners, namely:
- those who are currently working in a job that is not related to interaction design
- those working in jobs closely related to interaction design, and
- those already working in interaction design-related jobs.
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Course aims
In the core subjects students learn through the practice of an iterative human-centred design process to solve a real-world problem with actual users, developing skills to analyse, generate and transmit solutions to complex problems. They also gain advanced technical and theoretical knowledge in interaction design. Students also engage with interaction design for emerging computing contexts, gaining advanced knowledge and skills.
Study plan
To view the study plan please visit the UTS Handbook.Course fees
For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:
Local student
International student
Careers
Graduates can gain employment in a range of technology design-related roles, such as interaction designer, UX designer, UX researcher, service designer, or digital experience architect.
For those currently working in closely related jobs, such as web design, graphic design, interface design etc., this course provides the necessary formal training in the discipline in order to make a more definitive move into jobs in interaction design. Similarly, many find themselves working within the field of interaction design without formal training, and this course provides a good foundation and opportunities to extend their interaction design skills more formally.
For those not working in a job related to interaction design, this course provides the opportunity to learn about the discipline and to transition into the various jobs under the interaction design umbrella.
Course structure
To view the course structure please visit the UTS Handbook.Additional information
Course duration
The course duration is one year of part-time study.
On campus - WeeklyAdmission requirements
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian master’s or doctoral degree, or overseas equivalent
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor’s degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma, or overseas equivalent with more than 75% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included)
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree, or overseas equivalent, with more than 70% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included) AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design
OR
- Completed Australian associate degree (AQF 6), or overseas equivalent, with more than 75% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included) AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design
OR
- Completed Australian advanced diploma (AQF 6) or diploma (AQF 5) or New Zealand technical and vocational NQF Levels 5-7, or other overseas equivalent AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
For applicants who need to demonstrate interest in the course:
- Personal statement outlining:
- capacity for postgraduate tertiary study
- previous paid or unpaid work and/or life experiences that are relevant to the proposed course of study
- demonstrated knowledge and/or interest in the proposed course of study
- demonstrated awareness of expectations of the proposed course of study and its appropriateness to the applicant's needs
- demonstrated commitment to study
- other relevant experiences or information to support the application (e.g. evidence of any impact of disadvantages or inequity, experiences)
The English proficiency requirement for local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian master’s or doctoral degree, or overseas equivalent
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor’s degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma, or overseas equivalent with more than 75% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included)
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree, or overseas equivalent, with more than 70% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included) AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design
OR
- Completed Australian associate degree (AQF 6), or overseas equivalent, with more than 75% of all subjects completed at pass level (conceded pass not included) AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design
OR
- Completed Australian advanced diploma (AQF 6) or diploma (AQF 5) or New Zealand technical and vocational NQF Levels 5-7, or other overseas equivalent AND A minimum of 2 years full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant post-secondary professional experience AND An interest in the course and demonstrated understanding of the opportunities present in Interaction Design
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
For applicants who need to demonstrate interest in the course:
- Personal statement outlining:
- capacity for postgraduate tertiary study
- previous paid or unpaid work and/or life experiences that are relevant to the proposed course of study
- demonstrated knowledge and/or interest in the proposed course of study
- demonstrated awareness of expectations of the proposed course of study and its appropriateness to the applicant's needs
- demonstrated commitment to study
- other relevant experiences or information to support the application (e.g. evidence of any impact of disadvantages or inequity, experiences)
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.
Assumed knowledge
This course does not require formal training in IT, but experience in IT would be an advantage. Some subjects require development of various implementation skills, and so an enthusiastic approach to development of technical proficiency is important, but no previous knowledge is expected.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning is not available for this course.
The substitution of core subjects with an alternative/advanced postgraduate subject in a similar field of study may be granted.
Articulation with UTS courses
This course is part of an articulated program comprising the Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design, the Graduate Diploma in Interaction Design (C06123), the Master of Interaction Design (C04222), and the Master of Interaction Design (Extension) (C04234).
Students who wish to articulate from this course to either of the master's courses are typically eligible for 24 credit points of recognition of prior learning.
UTS: Handbook
Information for international students
Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.
Domestic students
How to apply
Domestic applicants can apply via UTS Student Portal.
Intake
Autumn Session 2025
Spring Session 2025
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International students
How to apply
This course is not available to international applicants. UTS International has information on all courses available to international applicants wishing to study at UTS.
