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Description

The Human-Computer Interaction and Design with Extended Reality (HCID/XR) master’s programme is an interdisciplinary programme where our User-Centred Design approach places the users at the centre of the design process. By combining human aspects (both at a cognitive, aesthetic and sensory-motor level) to technological and business aspects, we create new products and services for desktop, mobile, and immersive systems with great usability and user experience, and a solid customer demand, which often translate into commercial success.

HCID/XR serves as the bridge to new products and services. As interaction moves beyond buttons and keystrokes to speech, gestures, gaze, and spatial input, students learn to design for users’ social and cognitive behaviour, testing and refining interfaces in real contexts. Building on these practices, the programme explores immersive and cross-device systems (Augmented, Virtual, and Extended reality) that enable richer, more embodied ways of working, learning, and communicating.

The ICT Innovation programme has separate application periods and admission procedures from the other Master's programmes offered by Aalto University. Further information on the admission is available on the .

Language of instruction

In the master’s programme, the language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Students admitted to Master's Programme in ICT Innovation (EIT Digital Master School) - Human-Computer Interaction and Design are eligible for scholarships and liable for tuition fees according to EIT Digital's tuition fee and scholarship scheme. 

Students are not liable for paying tuition fees ÄûÃʵ¼º½ University or eligible for Aalto University scholarships. Please see for more information. 

Structure of studies

EIT Digital Master School programmes are double degree programmes in which studies at taken at two different universities in two different countries. The programme leads into two Master of Science degrees (double degree) from the two universities the student has studied in. 

Overall, the two-year programme comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits: 

• Major (60 ECTS)
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor (30 ECTS)
• Master’s thesis (30 ECTS) 

Specialisations

The programme is a double degree programme, which means that you will study at two European universities and in two different countries. Aalto University offers HCID/XR studies as both entry (first-year) and exit (second-year) studies. For the full list of universities, please visit the . 

The first year will be similar at all five HCID entry point universities with foundation courses in: 

• Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
• Introduction to Virtual Reality
• User-Centred Design Methods
• Programming of Interactive Systems
• Evaluation Techniques
• Multidisciplinary Design Project 

An important part of the programme are also the Innovation and & Entrepreneurship (I&E) courses. 

During the second year of studies, the student chooses a specialisation option offered in one of the seven exit point universities. Aalto University offers a specialisation in Cross-Device Interaction in XR: a design approach where immersive experiences are shared across different types of devices, allowing XR users to interact seamlessly with participants on desktops, mobile devices, or other platforms. Instead of isolating the XR experience inside a headset, asymmetric systems connect multiple ecosystems into a unified environment where each participant may have a different view, role, or interaction style.

Cross-Device Interaction in XR is increasingly relevant in areas such as collaborative work, education, training, and games, where participants may not all have access to XR headsets, but still need to contribute meaningfully to a shared task or narrative. Designing these systems requires both an understanding of XR’s immersive capabilities and the ability to integrate them with other devices and interaction paradigms.

Students gain theoretical foundation in Extended Reality principles, followed by practical training in designing and developing Cross-Device Interaction in XR applications using industry-standard tools such as Unity and Flutter. Hands-on projects provide opportunities to experiment with interconnected systems that bridge XR and non-XR platforms, preparing graduates to address the growing demand for inclusive, cross-device immersive experiences.

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide. There may be some changes to the courses for the academic years 2026–2028 — the new curricula will be published in April 2026, when they will also be visible in the Student guide.

Internationalisation

The EIT Digital Master School programmes are inherently international because the studies take place at two different universities in two different countries. The programme provides its students with a profound experience of working and studying in multiple countries in an international environment. 

Further study opportunities

The degree programme provides eligibility for scientific postgraduate studies in Finland. The skills learned in the programme create an excellent basis for doctoral studies at Aalto University, another Finnish university or top international universities. Doctoral graduates from Aalto University continue to researcher or other academic career or high-level business positions, among other things. Read more about applying for doctoral studies at Aalto University: /en/doctoral-education/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-studies

Career opportunities

Graduates from the Human-Computer Interaction and Design master’s programme qualify for jobs in international and local organizations in both technical and business roles. Graduates could become: 

• User experience (UX) or interaction designer
• UX Architect
• Usability engineer
• XR Interaction designer
• XR Application developer
• VR/AR Game developer
• HCI / UX Research in XR
• Business developer
• Product manager
• Consultant

Through their multidisciplinary attitude, HCID/XR graduates are valuable in open innovation settings where different aspects (market, users, social aspects, media technologies) come together. They can choose to work within companies that provide value-added products and services, such as game companies, e-learning, web developers, and entertainment. An alternative path would be to start your own company to provide product or technology development, media content, business development or consultancy services. 

Research focus

The studies in the programme are closely related to the research conducted at the relevant departments of the consortium universities including Aalto University's Department of Computer Science. 

Co-operation with other parties

Please visit the to learn more about the industry partners. 

Contact information

EIT Digital Master School

masterschool@eitdigital.eu

https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/