Computing and Future Interaction Technologies, MRes

Qualifications

Applicants for Master of Research must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). See - Country-specific Information for European Applicants 2019 and Country-specific Information for International Applicants 2019.

English Language
IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Requirement

Non UK/EU applicants are required to obtain ATAS clearance for this programme of study. Successful applicants are sent ATAS application details by the University PGR Admissions team. Further details on the ATAS scheme can be found at on the government Academic Technology Approval Scheme webpage.

Reference Requirement

As standard, one reference is required before we can progress applications to the Faculty research programme, academic Admissions Tutor for consideration.

Please note that any protracted delay in receiving the outstanding reference may result in the need to defer your application to a later potential start point/entry month, than what you initially listed as your preferred start option.

You may wish to consider contacting your referee to assist in the process of obtaining the outstanding reference or alternatively, hold submission of application until a reference is sourced. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the University Admissions Office to obtain missing reference after our initial email is sent to your nominated referee, requesting a reference on your behalf.

The reference can take the form of a letter on official headed paper, or via the University’s standard reference form. Click this link to download the university reference form.

Alternatively, referees can email a reference from their employment email account, please note that references received via private email accounts, (i.e. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) cannot be accepted.

References can be submitted to pgradmissions@swansea.ac.uk.

Taught Component

You can choose from a range of modules that provide skills and development training in different areas. Current modules include:

• Human-Computer Interaction Project
• Development (compulsory)
• Interaction Technologies: Lab & Field Work (compulsory)
• Interaction Technologies: Seminars & Readings (compulsory)
• Research Methodology (compulsory)
• Mobile Interaction Design
• Interactive Systems Design
• Interaction Technologies: Information Retrieval
• Interaction Technologies: Hardware & Devices

Research Component

You undertake a substantial individual research project on computing and future interaction technologies, worth 120 credits. Approximately eight months are spent preparing for and working on an extensive project, giving valuable experience in performing research-oriented projects. Independent research time is spent building a strong knowledge of research literature and contributing to the HCI community. Included in these 120 credits is a single Lab & Field Research Methods module.

Your work will be supported by inspiring computer science experts such as Professor Matt Jones, widely recognised as a leader in the empowerment of rural digital communities in the UK and across the developing world. 

Our £32.5m Computational Foundry is likely to be central to your work. Sophisticated teaching and research equipment include a vision and biometric lab, a maker lab, a theory lab, a cybersecurity/networking lab, a user lab and visualisation suite.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Note: The 2025/2026 UK fee is indicative pending confirmation from UKRI.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

Government funding is now available for Welsh, English and EU students starting eligible postgraduate research programmes at Swansea University. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Before applying, please identify a research topic or area by consulting our list of current research areas.

Once you have identified a research topic or an area, please complete a Research Proposal Form which can be downloaded, and discuss this with the Admissions Tutor, Dr Arno Pauly

Suggested Application Timings

In order to allow sufficient time for consideration of your application by an academic, for potential offer conditions to be met and travel / relocation, we recommend that applications are made before the dates outlined below. Please note that applications can still be submitted outside of the suggested dates below but there is the potential that your application/potential offer may need to be moved to the next appropriate intake window.

October Enrolment

UK Applicants – 15th August

EU/International applicants – 15th July

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.