Interaction Technology

Source: https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/interaction-technology/ Parent: https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/scholarship-finder/

Use your knowledge of human-computer interaction to create interactive tech solutions with societal impact.

In today’s 21st century, modern technology is integrated into our daily lives more than ever before. But none of the advanced technologies we use today would have been successful if humans failed to interact with them. Human-computer interaction is one of the most important considerations in any kind of technological development. So how can you include the user in the development of new, interactive technologies? For example, what does it take to design a robot that can recognise and respond to human emotions? Or a technology that enables mediated social touch between loved ones? If you are interested in the field of human-machine interaction and you want to design and develop interactive technologies that are meaningful to people and society, the Master’s in Interaction Technology is right for you.

In this Master’s, you will study as well as shape the interaction between people and (IT-based) technologies. From ideation to prototyping to evaluation, you will learn to design intelligent, interactive and socially aware systems that are aligned with end-user needs and can enhance user experience. To do so, you will gain knowledge within fields such as computer science, human-machine interaction, artificial intelligence, and/or electrical engineering, and complement this with an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and user contexts.

Societal impact with out-of-the-box solutions

Can social robots train children with autism to recognise emotions through facial expressions? What are the opportunities of speech recognition technology in supporting surgeons during operations? Can augmented reality train people to perform CPR in real-time, in one single attempt? And can you develop a tactile sleeve that enables people to touch each other virtually, giving them the feeling of closeness while being far away from each other?

As a master’s student in Interaction Technology, you will find out-of-the-box solutions to societal challenges, by linking technical possibilities to societal and human needs and wishes. It's not merely about developing and advancing such interactive technologies, but it is also about understanding their value in today’s society. How does a certain type of technology affect the interaction between people? Or the interaction between people and systems?

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Compose your own Master’s

Within this Master’s, you have quite some freedom to tailor your programme to your interests and ambitions. With a broad selection of courses to choose from within domains of technology, social sciences, design, research, entrepreneurship and more, you can create your own unique profile as an interaction technologist!

And what about spending part of your studies abroad? You can follow courses or conduct your thesis at a partner university abroad, or opt for the double degree programme in Human Computer Interaction and Design (HCID) of the EIT Digital Master School. This programme, with a special focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, enables you to study for one year abroad at a partner university in Helsinki, Stockholm, Madrid, Milan, or Trento.

Application deadlines Admission requirements Pre-master

career perspectives

With the rise of new technologies, devices, and forms of connectivity, we see more and more intelligent, interactive systems, capable of supporting and extending human activities. With such smart innovations rapidly unfolding, there’s a growing demand for experts in the field of interaction technology,who can truly embody the view of the user. You can look forward to great career opportunities after graduation!

Broadly speaking, you can start a career as adesigner, researcher, entrepreneur, or even a combination of these roles. You might find a job as a software developer or UX designer at a leading tech company, start an academic career and contribute to research in new interactive tech solutions or you might launch your own start-up, like some of our former students did! Whichever career path you choose, your expertise in key fields of engineering and technology as well as human behaviour and interactions between people and technology is welcomed in a wide variety of organisations and sectors.

Below you find a list of educational programmes which are (closely) related to Interaction Technology.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

[Applied Mathematics

Expand your understanding of mathematics to tackle challenging issues in a variety of sectors. This Master’s teaches you to discover new patterns and predict them through mathematical models.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/applied-mathematics/)[Electrical Engineering

Design smart and sustainable electronics and advanced chips for applications such as biomedical technology, autonomous vehicles, computer vision, nanotechnology and the energy transition.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/electrical-engineering/)[Embedded Systems

Become an expert in designing the software and hardware of complex embedded systems in vehicles, pacemakers and chipsets, amongst others.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/embedded-systems/)[Robotics

Become an expert in robotics: design smart, human-centred robots and combine AI, mechatronics, systems integration and ethics to make a real impact in industry and society.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/robotics/)

Design & Tech

[Industrial Design Engineering

Do you want to design innovative products that improve daily life and address today’s challenges? In this Master’s, you combine design and engineering to enhance both products and product development.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/industrial-design-engineering/)

IT & Data

[Applied Mathematics

Become an expert in IT-based business innovation, able to devise new services and radically improve the way businesses work.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/business-information-technology/)[Computer Science

Become an expert computer scientist and learn to solve the biggest challenges of our digital society by designing and developing more secure and efficient ICT systems.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/computer-science/)[Electrical Engineering

Natural disasters, poverty, food shortages, epidemics, and climate change: learn to tackle society’s complex challenges through urban planning, socio-economic insights and spatial data.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/spatial-systems-society/)

Tech & Innovation

[Applied Mathematics

Deepen your understanding of the laws of physics to find technical solutions in a wide range of areas such as IT, sustainability, healthcare, chiptechnology, digitalisation, finance, space and more.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/applied-physics/)[Biomedical Engineering

Technological advances are at the heart of innovation in healthcare. In this Master's, you'll learn to develop medical innovations that contribute to better care, from organ-on-a-chip to exoskeleton.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/biomedical-engineering/)[Business Information Technology

Develop new chemical processes, materials and molecules and contribute to innovations that benefit our society in areas such as health, water, food and sustainability.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/chemical-science-engineering/)[Civil Engineering & Management

Do you want to work on future-proof solutions in the construction, water and/or transport sector? Learn to manage civil engineering projects with an eye for both technical and non-technical aspects.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/civil-engineering-management/)[Computer Science

Become an expert in managing large-scale, complex construction projects in an increasingly digitised industry, using an innovative, integral approach.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/construction-management-engineering/)[Electrical Engineering

Do you want to tackle complex humanitarian crises worldwide? This Master’s helps you develop sustainable, socio-technological solutions to challenges faced by underserved and marginalised communities.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/humanitarian-engineering/)[Industrial Design Engineering

Combine technical expertise with management skills to analyse, improve, and future-proof complex business processes in (international) organisations.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/industrial-engineering-management/)[Mechanical Engineering

Become an expert mechanical engineer who focuses on the futureproof design, analysis and maintenance of machinery, structures, products and production processes.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/mechanical-engineering/)[Nanotechnology

Tackle big challenges on the tiniest scale: become an expert in nanotechnology and develop smart, innovative solutions for major societal issues in healthcare, ICT and sustainability.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/nanotechnology/)[Philosophy of Science, Technology & Society

How does technology shape our lives and the world we live in? Learn to understand the role of modern technology in our society from a philosophical perspective.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/philosophy-science-technology-society/)[Robotics

Share your knowledge of science subjects in school! This Dutch-taught teacher education programme will equip you to become a teacher in secondary (Dutch) education.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/science-education/)[Spatial Systems & Society

Work towards the energy transition! In this Master's, you will learn to conceive, develop and apply sustainable energy solutions for a future without fossil fuels.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/sustainable-energy-technology/)[Water Technology

Water scarcity, pollution and waste are pressing global challenges. In this Master’s, you will learn to develop sustainable solutions using microbiology, chemistry and engineering.](https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/water-technology/)

Interaction Technology

Societal impact with out-of-the-box solutions

Related stories

Compose your own Master’s

career perspectives

Related programmes