About the programme
The Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts (MIDEA) is a coursework master's in the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. It teaches human-centred design of interactive products, systems and experiences, using research-driven interaction design and UX methods.
The 72-credit-point degree has 24 credit points of core units: Interface Design, Design Thinking and the Experience Design Studio. Students then take at least 12 credit points of selectives (such as Creative Coding, the Experience Design Laboratory and design management or innovation units) and up to 24 credit points of electives. Electives range from games and mixed realities, sound design and lighting to usability engineering and pervasive computing. An industry placement unit is also available.
The degree ends with a 12-credit-point capstone, the Graduation Studio. With the programme director's permission, students can replace it with a research project, a dissertation or a research placement. A 96-credit-point version adds a specialisation in Audio and Acoustics or in Illumination Design.
- Format
- In person in Sydney, full-time or part-time. The graduate certificate and graduate diploma are nested inside the master's as shorter exit awards.
- Length
- 72 credit points, about 1.5 years full-time at the standard load of 48 credit points a year. The 96-credit-point specialisation version takes about two years.
- Cost
- Indicative first-year fees for 2027 are A$53,900 for international students and A$32,500 for domestic full-fee students, for 48 credit points. Fees rise each calendar year. International students must also pay for Overseas Student Health Cover.
- Admissions
- You need a bachelor's degree with a credit average; the course rules do not list a portfolio. Minimum English scores are IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band) or TOEFL iBT 85 (17 in reading, listening and speaking, 19 in writing). You can also enter through the embedded graduate certificate or diploma.
- Capstone
- A 12-credit-point Graduation Studio. A research project, dissertation or research placement can replace it with permission.
Who it suits
Suits graduates from any field who want a shorter, studio-based interaction design master's with room for creative coding, sound or lighting. If you want a two-year programme with a fixed cohort, the 72-credit-point version may feel short unless you add a specialisation.
Checked against The University of Sydney’s official programme pages in October 2026.
