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Information Studies (Human Centered Informatics)

Master degree

Information Studies (Human Centered Informatics)

gruppearbejde på campus københavn

In the Master’s programme in Information Studies you will learn about the design, development, and evaluation of IT systems with a particular emphasis on the relations and interactions between people and IT systems using a data-driven approach to study and inform decisions.

Reasons you should choose this programme

Investigate and understand user needs and behaviours
Analyse and visualise data
Design and develop IT systems and components

Copenhagen

2-year educationEnglish

Master degree

Information Studies (Human Centered Informatics)

gruppearbejde på campus københavn

In the Master’s programme in Information Studies you will learn about the design, development, and evaluation of IT systems with a particular emphasis on the relations and interactions between people and IT systems using a data-driven approach to study and inform decisions.

Reasons you should choose this programme

Investigate and understand user needs and behaviours
Analyse and visualise data
Design and develop IT systems and components

Copenhagen

2-year educationEnglish

All my life IT has been a big part of my daily routine, and I have followed the developments closely. With this education I am given the opportunity to immerse myself in a world in constant change. With this education I can choose which direction I see my career heading in and what my focus should be.

Tine Bæk Kristensen, student at Information Studies

“People ignore design that ignores people”

Are you interested in how people use Information and Communication Technology (ICT)? Do you think the relationship between people and IT is exciting? Do you find it interesting how to develop, design and construct ICT systems and ICT solutions in a beneficial and sustainable way? Then Information Studies is just right for you!

The 2-year Master’s program in Information Studies (cand.it.) focuses on the data-driven design, development, and evaluation of IT systems with a particular emphasis on how people interact with information, IT systems, and each other. The Information Studies program will guide you through the different phases of data-driven design, from user research to data analysis and visualisation, ending with the design and development of successful IT-based solutions. 

User research

Any aspect of a website, app, software, or other IT product that doesn’t consider the user’s needs is ultimately doomed to fail. A huge part of successful design of IT products is understanding your target audience, their characteristics, attitudes, behaviour, needs and context using qualitative and quantitative methods. At information studies you will be introduced to the relevant, state-of-the-art methods and practises for doing user research. 

Data analysis and visualisation

To achieve the best results, data-driven design decisions should be based on a thorough and focused analysis of the collected user research data as well as visualisation of the insights derived from it. You will acquire foundational competencies in the use of methods and tools for descriptive and predictive analytics to enable data-driven decision making in your future user analyses and projects. 

Design and development

All the insights from user research need to be translated into design decisions that will impact the users of the IT product in a positive way. You will learn about development methods (such as agile methods and prototyping as core tools), design methods (such as storyboards, flowcharts and wireframes), and methods for user testing (such as eye-tracking and usability testing).

Opportunities for specialisation

At its core, Information Studies focuses on the different combinations of three elements: users, systems and information, as shown in the circular diagram below. As a result, teaching in the Information Studies program combines a variety of different fields and students are encouraged to further specialise themselves through their project reports, elective, internship, and Master’s thesis.

Most of the teaching is built up around one of the three core areas: information behaviour, human-computer interaction, and information systems. Throughout the Information Studies program, you will learn about theories and methods from the different research areas displayed in the outer ring, such as information architecture, systems design, user research, behavioural analysis and data-driven design.

Structure of the program

The Information Studies program follows the problem-based learning approach, which means that all teaching is organised around real-world cases and problems. Every semester students focus on a semester-spanning project where you research, design, develop, and evaluate solutions to real-world problems related to the use of IT systems in companies and organisations together with an external or internal client. This way, students develop a strong portfolio of project work that documents their ability to engage with and solve problems related to the many ways people interact with IT systems in different contexts. Through your semester projects and the different elective courses, you have the opportunity to specialise in specific organisations, domains, and contexts.

In the 2-year Master’s program in Information Studies (cand.it.) you will first be introduced to the field of Information Studies, its theories and methods and how to understand the context and needs of users. You and your group will also do your first semester project in this first semester. The second semester delves into the details of how to plan and design viable and sustainable IT-based solutions, and allows you to specialise through elective courses and a substantial semester project. In the third semester you can either do an internship at a company or organisation or dig into a theoretical problem, and in the fourth semester you will be working on your master’s thesis.

1. sem. Research & Methods in Information Studies (10 ects) Theories & Traditions in Information Studies (10 ects) User Studies & Information Behavior (10 ects)
2. sem. Design and Development of ICT (20 ects) Elective course (10 ects)
3. sem Internship project / Case project (30 ects)
4. sem

Master's thesis (30 ects)

Semester descriptions

Read more about content and structure of the programme in the Regulations and Curriculum

Internship

During the 3rd semester of the Master’s programme, students are encourage to do a relevant, four-month  internship at public or private company. This provides students with practical work experience in the field of Information Studies. Internships are voluntary; the alternative is an independent study project on ICT use in practice or taking alternative elective courses at Aalborg University or another university.

Study Abroad

Aalborg University's International Office has many years of experience in sending students on study or internships abroad, and you have the option of applying for AAU grants via the office.

Read more about studying abroad

When I am finished studying at Aalborg University, Copenhagen I dream about being employed in a company where I can design, test and implement IT systems, so that they satisfy the needs of their users in the best way possible. And since the education is in English, I am likely to go abroad in my search for a job, and maybe even get to work for one of the major interna- tional organisations.

Tine Bæk Kristensen, student at Information Studies

Industry collaboration & employment

All programs at Aalborg University are designed around problem-based project work. Information Studies has close collaborations with industrial, governmental and cultural partners to support this project work with real-life cases. Previous partners include the United Nations, Københavns Kommune, Jobindex, Folkekirkens Nødhjælp, Børsen Academy, and the National Museum of Denmark.

Typically, Information Studies graduates will be responsible for conducting detailed user research in order to analyse how users interact with existing ICT systems to identify potential problems. This is often combined with designing solutions to these problems in the form of (re-)designing these systems and overseeing their development, deployment and adoption.

Common careers of Information Studies graduates include:

  • UX designer
  • User researcher
  • Behavioural analyst
  • Usability engineer
  • Project manager
  • Information architect
  • IT consultant
  • Data analyst

Admission and requirements

Get help at AAU to start your career in Denmark

AAU Career helps you on your way from student life to job life in Denmark by giving you the tools to examine your options and find out what to do.

While studying at AAU, you can participate in career and job-related events, find help on our website, and book a personal career counselling session to talk about e.g.:

  • Finding your way in your career
  • Danish working culture
  • Application and CV the Danish way
  • What you can offer an employer
  • How to go about job search in Denmark – both student job, internship and full-time job

Read more about AAU Career here

Student Counsellor

Contant information and opening hours
If you have any questions regarding the Master's programme in Information Studies, the student counsellors might be able to help. We are students that know the programmes from first hand experience, and as such we know the content and structure of the Master’s programmes, the rules and regulations, and who to talk to if you seek additional information regarding the structure of the programme, exam rules, possibilities for dispensation, etc.
Student Counsellors in Copenhagen
  • Ida Marie Mortensen
  • Sara Aaen Nielsen
Address
Frederiks Kaj 12 (B)
(Ved vejledningscenteret), room C
2450 Copenhagen
Opening hours
If you wish to speak to a study counsellor, it is possible to arrange either a telephone meeting or a physical meeting. This is done by contacting us via email. E-mails will be answered on an ongoing basis.
Student Counsellors in Aalborg
  • Lærke Vandaele Møldrup
  • Amalie Bejstrup
Address
Rendsburggade 14, room 2.250
9000 Aalborg
Opening hours
We answer e-mails on Monday and Thursday.

If you wish to speak to a study counsellor, it is possible to arrange either a telephone meeting or a physical meeting. This is done by contacting us via email.

As a student at AAU you meet …