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The programme combines theory with hands-on design and research. You will study human perception, cognition, attention, and emotion, and learn how to use this knowledge to guide design decisions. In a semester-long Interaction Design Workshop, you will work in a team to develop, prototype, and evaluate an interactive solution for real industrial clients. Elective courses allow you to explore areas such as user research, affective computing, and physiological interaction. The Interaction Design and User Experience Labs provide tools for prototyping and studying how people interact with technology. Classes take place on weekday afternoons and evenings, making it possible to combine your studies with work.

This programme is right for you if you are:

• A developer who wants to better understand users and create more meaningful interactions with technology.
• A designer who wants to build on your creative skills through user research and a deeper understanding of human behaviour.
• A psychologist or social scientist interested in how thinking, motivation and emotion shape people’s experiences with technology.
• A career changer looking for a research-based path into user experience or interaction design.

At the core of the programme are three main areas:

• Interaction design
• Cognitive psychology
• Computing

The two-year programme (120 ECTS) combines interdisciplinary courses, practical projects and research. You will study human perception, cognition, attention and emotion, and learn to use research to guide your design decisions. In a semester-long team project, you will develop, prototype and evaluate an interactive solution.

Core courses provide a strong foundation in HCI, while electives allow you to explore topics such as ubiquitous computing, affective computing, physiological interaction and user research.

Course Outline and Research Topics

The programme combines interdisciplinary courses, practical projects and research in design, technology and cognitive psychology. Core studies provide a strong foundation in HCI, while electives allow you to shape your studies around your interests.

Research focuses on how people perceive and interact with technology, and how interactive systems can support their physical, perceptual, and cognitive abilities. 

The main research areas are:

• User experience
• Physiological computing
• Body-centric computing
• HCI for health
• Human-computer trust
• Design theory and methodology

Lectures and seminars take place on weekdays, usually from 16:00, with some courses starting at 14:00. The timetable is published a few weeks before each semester. Some courses are delivered in shorter, intensive study cycles or online.

You can also get to know the programme and teaching team through the Experimental Interaction Design and Research Methods in HCI courses offered at .

Explore the Course Outline and Research Topics

Learn by creating

Internship opportunities

As part of your studies, you will complete a professional placement (6 ECTS) or a traineeship abroad (9 ECTS). This allows you to gain practical experience and apply your knowledge and skills in a professional environment.

Erasmus+ and exchange opportunities

You can apply to study abroad at a partner university in Europe or outside the European Union. Erasmus+ exchanges are available at universities that have an agreement with Tallinn University, with scholarships to help cover the costs of studying abroad. More about the exchange possibilities

Finishing your studies

To graduate, you will complete and defend a master’s thesis in English, worth 24 ECTS. You will also compile a portfolio of subject-specific creative work and defend it alongside your thesis.

Career Opportunities

HCI graduates build careers at the intersection of design, research and human behaviour. The programme prepares you for roles such as:

• UX Designer
• Interaction Designer
• UX Researcher
• User Researcher
• Design Researcher

Graduates find opportunities in design agencies, software companies, start-ups and research groups in Estonia and abroad. You can also continue to doctoral studies in HCI or a related field, including at Tallinn University.

Explore the PhD Programmes

Meet our alumni

Student life and learning environment

 

Meet our teaching staff

Admissions

Please see the complete overview of general admission, application requirements, and deadlines for Master’s level applications.

Application dates:

• International applicants: 1 November 2026 – 1 March 2027
• Local and eligible applicants: 1 November 2026 – 29 June 2027

View detailed admission requirements and timelines for applicants.

Requirements

• Motivation to study in the field of HCI, including a vision of the possible ways of applying acquired knowledge and experience in the future
• Research interests within the scope of the HCI group’s research activities
• Background and/or previous experience in computer science, design, behavioral or social sciences
• Ability to freely express oneself in English, both in oral and written form

Each applicant is required to submit: 

• A transcript of previous studies, issued by the academic institution where the applicant acquired their previous degree, with an official English translation. A copy of the Bachelor’s degree certificate or an equivalent qualification certificate, together with a copy of the academic transcript. Official translations are required for documents not issued in English or Estonian.
• CV
• A situated motivation letter
• Proof of English language proficiency; see here.
• A design or research portfolio for applicants with an artistic/design or social/behavioural sciences background

Applicants are assessed based on:

1. Motivation letter

The motivation letter (up to 2 pages) should provide a clear overview of the applicant’s intention to study in the HCI Master’s programme. The motivation letter aims to position the applicant's interests within the current research topics of the HCI group. The letter is an opportunity to connect the applicant's skill set and academic and/or professional background with the preferred topic. Applicants are encouraged to situate themselves within current academic and/or industry developments and to envision possible projects and outcomes for their potential Master thesis.

The motivation letter should be submitted through . 

2. Skill set

1) Applicants from an artistic or design background are expected to submit a design portfolio with a set of selected works, demonstrating their previous experience and skill set on a professional level. The portfolio can include videos, images, sketches, 3D visualizations and graphic or interactive presentations.

The expected format of the portfolio is as follows:

• Up to 5 individual works with a brief description.
• The individual pieces of work should represent and identify the best skills the candidate has.
• Each work’s description should include a brief summary and relevant background information.
• In all cases, the applicant should clearly explain the skill set required to accomplish the project and their personal contribution.

The portfolio must be uploaded to DreamApply. Accepted formats are: PowerPoint, Google Slides, PDF, link to a website. 

2) Applicants from a technical background are expected to clearly identify their technical skill set in the CV, in terms of the programming languages and frameworks they are most familiar with. Based on this, they will be provided with technical assignments to address on the day of the interview.

3) Applicants from a social or behavioral sciences background are expected to submit a research portfolio of the previously conducted studies or projects, demonstrating their capacity to conduct analytical/research work, collect and analyse data, and draw conclusions. Descriptions of each study/project should include:

• An overview of the research problem. 
• An overview of the sample and motivation for selecting the sample. 
• An overview of the research design, including the data collection and analysis procedure. 
• A description of the main outcomes. 

The research portfolio should be submitted through . Accepted formats are: PowerPoint, Google Slides, Word, PDF.

3. Interview

The interview with the admission board is conducted in English. Each candidate is assigned a 20 minute time slot. The order of the interviews is arranged through email.

The structure of the interview is as follows:

• A personal introduction of the applicant, focusing on their previous academic and/or professional experience, as related to his/her eventual studies in the HCI programme. 
• An explanation of the applicant’s motivation to study in the HCI programme, introducing the set of topics that the applicant is interested in exploring in depth during his/her studies.
• An overview of the skill set that the applicant expects to acquire during their eventual studies in the HCI programme, the relevance of this desired skill set for the applicant’s future career plans. 
• Answers to the follow-up questions from the members of the admissions committee. 

Applicants are evaluated based on:

• The relevance and excellence of their academic background, as illustrated by the academic transcript.
• The relevant professional experience and training, as illustrated by the CV.
• The submitted statement of research intentions, as illustrated by the motivation letter.
• Technical and/or design and/or research skills, as illustrated by the portfolio or results of addressing the technical assignments.
• English language skills, as illustrated by the English language certification and the interview.

The admission exam consists of an assessment of the motivation letter (20% of the final score), an assessment of portfolio / technical assignment (20% of the final score), and the interview (60% of the final score). For a positive admission result, the motivation letter will give min 5 / max 20 points; the portfolio will give min 5 / max 20 points; the interview will give min 10 / max 60 points. 

Please send additional questions regarding the admissions requirements to hci-studies@tlu.ee.

Move to Tallinn

Studying in Tallinn means studying at a compact European capital where education, technology and digital innovation meet. As an international student, you can benefit from Tallinn University's support and access practical information to help you settle into life in Estonia, from the basics of accommodation to the details about working while studying and, of course, where to find the student support services.

Find information about:

• Accommodation
• VISA information
• Healthcare and insurance
• Cost of living
• Public transport
• Working while studying
• Peer support and student buddies
• Student Support Centre

Explore more practical topics that might come up as you relocate.

Contacts

Kristi Oikimus
Study Counsellor and Specialist

For additional guidelines regarding the admission procedure, please contact the international admission specialist: