The Disability, Design, and Innovation MSc is designed for those passionate about creating accessible and assistive technologies, and inclusive design more broadlys. Whether you aim to work in the computing, design, or policy sectors, this course equips you with the skills to make a significant impact in disability innovation. This cutting-edge course combines interdisciplinary expertise to help you develop meaningful solutions to the needs of the world’s one billion disabled people. You’ll engage with diverse subjects, from computer science to policymaking, and learn to place stakeholders at the centre of your research. Taught at UCL East, you’ll experience a modern learning environment where innovation and community are paramount. With input from world-renowned academics and industry experts, including some of those behind the accessibility of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, you will gain practical, real-world experience. As the flagship course of the UCL Computer Science’s Global Disability Innovation Hub GDI Hub, which is the official WHO Collaborating Centre for Research on Assistive Technology, you will also become part of one of the largest networks for disability innovation, which is responsible for working on disability innovation projects in 40+ countries with more than 150 partners globally, reaching over 60 million people scaling assistive technology through partnerships, venture support and national systems change.
This course is ideal for you if you want to contribute to a fairer world through disability innovation. One of the course’s strengths is its diversity, which values students from computer science, occupational therapy, user experience design, international development, human computer interaction, product design, neuroscience, diplomatic service, medicine, disability activism, and many other disciplines.
As a graduate of the Disability, Design and Innovation MSc, you will bring a variety of in-demand skills to future employers. Not only will you be able to innovate with technology to create solutions through research and practical engagement, but you will also learn about innovating in fields such as policymaking to address specific aspects of disability inclusion. You’ll work with disability innovation experts, individuals with disabilities, and innovators from different countries, helping people with specific research problems through your assessed work. The practical experience this degree offers allows you to become a pioneer in the disability innovation and assistive technology fields. With employers across all sectors currently expanding their disability inclusion and accessibility teams, as a graduate you can expect to thrive in roles in governments, international development organisations, multinational corporations, academia, and start-ups.
Graduates from this MSc have pursued careers at organisations including JP Morgan, the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, and local government ( Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of graduates in the 2018–2024 cohorts).
Some of our alumni also continue their journey in academia, pursuing a PhD, a professional career in academia or working with us at the Global Disability Innovation Hub.