Co‑op
Build your professional portfolio from day one.
Earn your MSc, User Experience Design in as little as 16 months.
Study in close proximity to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
User Experience (UX) is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field that plays a critical role in shaping how people interact with technology, services, systems and spaces.
UX professionals are consistently in high demand across diverse industries worldwide, including retail, healthcare, technology, finance, education, and government. User experiences are everywhere and as they become central to everyday life, organizations increasingly rely on UX experts to design intuitive, effective and meaningful interactions that meet both user needs and business goals.
As one of Canada's only graduate programs in the field, our UX program takes a holistic approach, preparing you to design digital interfaces such as mobile apps and websites, as well as physical products, services, and immersive environments.
Start building your portfolio from your first term in the program and work on real projects with clients from industry, government and community organizations.
Participate in a competitive-entry, eight-month co-op opportunity. Students interested in the co-op stream must select that option at the time of application. Applicants who are admitted to the coursework stream work on a client project in their final semester.
Our multidisciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to launch their UX careers by emphasizing practical, professional learning. Build a strong CV and a job-ready portfolio and equip yourself with the skills and tools needed to drive innovation and enhance user experiences across diverse industries.
Gain a strong foundation in UX theory while developing practical skills through hands-on training in:
The coursework option is normally completed in four terms (16 months).
Term 1 (Fall)
Term 2 (Winter)
Term 3 (Spring)
Term 4 (Fall)
A description of each course can be found in the Graduate Academic Calendar.
The co-op option is normally completed in five terms (20 months) and includes an eight-month co-op placement.
Term 1 (Fall)
Term 2 (Winter)
Term 3 (Spring)
Term 4 (Fall)
Term 5 (Winter)
A description of each course can be found in the Graduate Academic Calendar.
As you consider the next steps in your education, we want to support you along the way. Our emails have the updates, insights and information you need to make the decision that's best for you.
Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process, where we walk you through applying, accepting and preparing for your first day as a graduate student.
After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to your application portal.
An application for admission to the MSc in User Experience Design coursework option must include:
Tuition Deposits
As an international applicant, a tuition deposit is required after you have accepted your offer of admission to the UEXD program. Please do not pay your tuition deposit until you have accepted your offer.
Study Permits
If you have questions about the study permit application process, including questions about the updated financial requirement, you can connect with an International Student Advisor for a 1-on-1 meeting. You can also register to attend a monthly study permit application webinar.
After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS).
Note that the application process and the uploading of supplemental documentation, which includes references, typically takes two weeks. To avoid disappointment, apply early.
An application for admission to the MSc in User Experience Design co-op option must include:
MSc User Experience Design Application Deadlines
Both the coop and coursework options are offered in a full-time format. Please see the list of application deadlines below, based on program option and entry term.
Coursework Application Deadlines (Domestic)
Fall 2027 Start
Coursework Application Deadlines (International)
Fall 2027 Start
Coop Application Deadlines (Domestic)
Fall 2027 Start
Coop Application Deadlines (International)
Fall 2027 Start
International applicants are highly encouraged to apply early to allow for study permit processing time.
Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to success in graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their undergraduate degree was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English.
Students applying to the coursework option who need to submit proof of English proficiency can submit their test scores through their applicant portal.
Students applying to the co-op option who need to submit proof of English proficiency can submit their test scores through LORIS.
If you are an international applicant, you will find more information about English proficiency, international student fees and financial aid on our International Graduate Student Admissions page.
If you have questions about this program or would like to set up a meeting with our program administrator, please email us at UXFLAAPA@wlu.ca.
“I came to this program from a Bachelor of Health Sciences, eager to shift my career into user experience design. Faculty support sparked a passion for research; now I work with a professor to integrate virtual‑reality experiences that ease childrens’ pre‑surgery anxiety."
Stephen Michael, MSc User Experience Design student
Regardless of the type of graduate program you intend to pursue, financial planning is important. At Laurier, we want to provide you with as much information as possible about a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities and equip you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.
Sample jobs include:
ASPIRE is with you every step of the way – from before you arrive on campus to graduation – with dedicated grad student support for community building, wellness education, skills development, and career success.
If you have questions about this program or would like to set up a meeting with our program administrator, please email us at UXFLAAPA@wlu.ca.
The User Experience Design faculty consists of multidisciplinary professionals and researchers from diverse backgrounds:
Bruce Gillespie
Associate Professor
Maurita Harris
Assistant Professor
Graduate Program Coordinator
John Muñoz
Assistant Professor
See John's featured article on Gaming For Longevity
Sadeem Qureshi
Assistant Professor
Mark Weiler
Web and User Experience Librarian
Kenneth Werbin
Associate Professor
Melanie Wilmink
Assistant Professor
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