University Diploma - Interaction Design

The University Diploma in Interaction Design is a two-year program covering user experience and interface design as a research-led discipline rather than a visual styling exercise.

Students work through design thinking and problem framing, user research methods including interviews and contextual inquiry, persona and journey mapping, information architecture, wireframing and low-fidelity prototyping, interface design systems and component libraries, high-fidelity prototyping in Figma, usability testing and iteration, accessibility standards, interaction and motion patterns, and front-end fundamentals so designers can communicate credibly with developers.

The sequencing matters more than the tool list. Interaction design is hired on evidence of process — a portfolio that shows research, alternatives considered, testing and revision beats one that shows polished final screens with no reasoning behind them. This program is structured to produce the former, with case-study documentation built into each project rather than added afterwards.

CapU is a fully public teaching university on Vancouver’s North Shore — a Designated Learning Institution (DLI O19280078102) with university status since 2008. Classes are small, faculty teach rather than delegate to assistants, and tuition sits well below the big Vancouver research universities while the credential carries the same public-institution standing.

Its field maps to CIP 50.0409 (Graphic and interaction design). Important: this is a non-degree credential, so unlike CapU’s bachelor’s programs it is not exempt from the November 2024 PGWP field-of-study restriction — eligibility depends on this CIP field appearing on IRCC’s current eligible list at the time you apply. Confirm the live list with an Apply Study Visa counsellor before committing. Final decisions rest with IRCC.