find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
The University of Edinburgh: Design Informatics
| Institution | The University of Edinburgh View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Informatics |
| Web | https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying |
| Study type | Taught |
MSc
Summary
Design Informatics combines data science with design thinking in a context of critical enquiry to create compelling and meaningful new data-driven experiences, products and services.
The central premise of design informatics is that data is a medium for design: by shaping data, we shape the world around us. Data science provides the groundwork for this, with design thinking underpinning reflective research through design.
Our programme focuses on providing foundational skills on the integration of design thinking and data science with an emphasis on exploring the role of data-driven technologies in society and the potential of such technologies to be a social good. Students are supported to develop an ethically aware, critically reflective technical practice at the interface between data and society by combining theory and research with an open-ended process of making and hacking.
**What will I learn?**
The programme will provide foundational and advanced knowledge in:
* Fundamentals of data science and its integration into design processes
* Case studies of the role of user research, co-design and speculative design in data-driven system design
* Programming for data visualisation, data physicalisation, physical computing and responsive materials
* Responsible design and ethics and its application in research and practice
You will connect data-driven technology with contexts and domains, such as:
* Societal challenges and sustainable development goals
* Health and care
* Fashion
* Finance
* Urban spaces and smart cities
You will also look at a host of other real-world contexts through case studies as well as individual and collaborative projects.
You will also touch on the ways in which emergent developments in artificial intelligence impact design processes and the ways in which we experience new products and services.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
Design informatics combines data science with design thinking in a context of critical enquiry to create compelling and meaningful new data-driven experiences, products and services.
The central premise of design informatics is that data is a medium for design: by shaping data, we shape the world around us. Data science provides the groundwork for this, with design thinking underpinning reflective research through design.
Our programme focuses on providing foundational skills on the integration of design thinking and data science with an emphasis on exploring the role of data-driven technologies in society and the potential of such technologies to be a social good. Students are supported to develop an ethically aware, critically reflective technical practice at the interface between data and society by combining theory and research with an open-ended process of making and hacking.
**What will I learn?**
The programme will provide foundational and advanced knowledge in:
- Fundamentals of data science and its integration into design processes
- Methods of user research, end user co-design and speculative design
- Programming for data visualisation, data physicalisation, physical computing and responsive materials
- Data ethics and its application in research and practice
You will connect data-driven technology with contexts and domains, such as:
- Societal challenges and sustainable development goals
- Health and care
- Fashion
- Finance
- Urban spaces and smart cities
You will also look at a host of other real-world contexts through case studies as well as individual and collaborative projects.
You will also touch on the ways in which emergent developments in artificial intelligence impact design processes and the ways in which we experience new products and services.
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 27th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Our …
Not what you are looking for?
Browse other courses in Arts, Design, Information technology, Software engineering, Information systems or Informatics, or search our comprehensive database of postgrad programs.Postgraduate Bursary Opportunity with Postgrad.com
Are you studying as a PG student at the moment or have you recently been accepted on a postgraduate program? Apply now for one of our £2000 PGS bursaries.
Click here
