MA Interaction Design

The MA Interaction Design programme at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) is a full-time, postgraduate Master’s programme designed for students interested in the rapidly developing field of interaction design. The programme is taught entirely in English and has a nominal duration of 2 years, corresponding to 120 ECTS credits. Students graduate with a Master of Arts (MA) degree.

About the Programme

Interaction Design focuses on creating intuitive, useful and engaging interactions between people and technology. The programme addresses the growing importance of well-designed user interfaces and experiences across digital and physical environments, including mobile applications, web-based services and complex systems involving multiple digital and physical experiences.

The programme has a strong focus on human-centered design. User research, analysis and testing form the foundation of the curriculum, helping students understand users and develop solutions around their needs. Theoretical studies are combined with practical design projects, allowing students to apply design principles to real-world challenges.

Practical and Project-Based Learning

Students work on practical design projects based on real briefs from companies in Estonia and abroad. The programme uses user-based and agile approaches to design, product development and service development.

The project-based approach allows students to develop their ability to move from an initial idea through research, development and prototyping toward a final design solution. Projects may be completed individually or collaboratively, providing experience in both independent and team-based design work.

Areas of Study

The programme develops knowledge and practical capabilities in areas including:

• Human-centered design
• User research
• User analysis
• User testing
• Interaction design
• Interface design
• User experience design
• Service design
• Design thinking
• Prototyping
• Product and service development
• Agile design methods
• Practical project execution

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MA Interaction Design programme can pursue professional roles in different areas of design and digital product development. Employment profiles listed by the programme include:

• Interaction Designer
• Interface Designer
• User Experience Designer
• Service Designer
• Design Manager
• Design Team Leader

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate diploma or higher. Students graduating in the summer of 2026 who cannot submit their final diploma and transcript before the application deadline may submit their latest transcript containing current grades together with written confirmation from their educational institution that the final educational documents will be issued no later than 30 June.

Educational documents must be submitted in English or Estonian. If documents are issued in another language, translations into English or Estonian are required. Both the original-language documents and their translations must be appropriately attested.

English Language Requirements

The programme is taught in English, and applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency unless they qualify for an available language requirement waiver.

EKA accepts several international English language qualifications, including:

• TOEFL ITP: minimum 543
• TOEFL iBT: minimum 72
• IELTS Academic or Indicator: minimum 5.5, with at least 5.5 in each component
• FCE (Cambridge English: First): minimum B2 result of 160
• CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced): C1 level
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): C2 level
• PTE Academic: minimum 59
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: final English grade of at least 5
• European Baccalaureate Diploma: positive final English examination result

Certain English-language state examinations from Estonia, Finland and Latvia are also accepted under the specified conditions.

Language certificates are accepted for up to two years after their date of issue.

English Language Requirement Waiver

The English proficiency test may be waived for applicants who meet specific criteria. This includes applicants who completed their secondary education, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree fully in English in an EU/EEA member state, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, provided they resided in the country during their studies and the transcript confirms that the studies were conducted fully in English.

A waiver may also apply to applicants who completed at least one academic year as a full-time student, obtaining a minimum of 45 ECTS with positive results, in English at a higher education institution in one of the specified countries.

Motivation Letter

Applicants are required to submit a motivation letter in English, with a maximum length of 2 pages. The letter should introduce the applicant and explain their motivation for joining the Interaction Design Master’s programme.

The motivation letter should address:

1. Who are you?
2. How did you find your way to design?
3. How do you see the present and future of interaction design, and what do you see as your role in this?
4. What do you hope to learn during the Master’s programme?
5. What would you like to do after completing your studies?

Applicants may use existing literature and AI tools when preparing the letter, but any citations must be disclosed and AI prompts must be explained.

Portfolio Requirement

A relevant portfolio is required as part of the application. The portfolio should demonstrate the applicant’s previous and current experience, interests and professional capabilities.

It may include:

• Design projects
• Development projects
• Art and hobby work
• Articles
• Scientific paper abstracts
• Business projects
• Volunteering projects
• Other relevant examples of previous work

Each sample should be illustrated and briefly described. For collaborative projects, applicants must clearly explain their own contribution and briefly describe the work process in addition to presenting the final solution.

The portfolio must be submitted in PDF format or as a web portfolio. Any external links included in the portfolio should remain functional throughout the application process.

Required Application Documents

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent
• Transcript of records
• English language proficiency certificate
• Passport or ID-card data page
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Display of previous experiences / portfolio

The CV should include personal and contact information, educational background, field of study, degree earned, graduation work or project theme, work experience, employer names, job titles, responsibilities, hobbies, interests and volunteering experience.

All required documents, including the English language certificate, had to be submitted with the application by 2 March 2026.

Admission Assignment and Interview

After the submitted motivational letter and required documents are reviewed, eligible candidates proceed to an admission assignment.

Candidates receive instructions by email during 16–17 March. Once the assignment begins, applicants receive a problem description and have two hours to complete the task. The solution must be presented visually and accompanied by explanatory text.

Applicants who successfully complete the assignment are invited to an interview scheduled for 25–26 March. Individual interview times are communicated to candidates through DreamApply several days in advance.

Tuition Fees

The annual tuition fee depends on the applicant’s citizenship.

The tuition fee is €3,200 per year for citizens of the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Switzerland.

For citizens of non-EU countries, the tuition fee is €4,200 per year.

An additional €80 non-refundable application fee applies.

Study Duration and Language

The programme is a 2-year full-time Master’s programme comprising 120 ECTS credits. The teaching language is English, and successful students receive the Master of Arts (MA) degree.

Programme Location

The MA Interaction Design programme is offered by the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn, Estonia.

Studies Commence

The programme lists 31 August as the study commencement date.