As the digital world becomes more human-centered, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and User Experience (UX) research are gaining critical importance.
European universities and research institutions are investing heavily in HCI-focused programs, often supported by full scholarships for talented international students. Below are some of the most notable fully funded opportunities in Europe for 2025.
1. EIT Digital Master School – Human-Computer Interaction and Design
- Countries: Multiple across Europe (Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Finland)
- Coverage: Full tuition, monthly living allowance
- Level: Master’s
- Focus: Combines design thinking, HCI, and business innovation. Students study in two different countries and receive a double degree.
2. University of Twente – Human Media Interaction (HMI) Scholarship
- Country: Netherlands
- Coverage: Full tuition, €12,000–€22,000 stipend
- Level: MSc in Computer Science (HMI track)
- Research Areas: Conversational agents, multimodal interaction, affective computing, and augmented reality.
3. DAAD Scholarships – Germany
- Country: Germany
- Coverage: Full tuition, €934–€1,200 monthly stipend, health insurance
- Eligible Programs: HCI-related master’s or doctoral programs at German universities such as LMU Munich, TU Berlin, or University of Siegen.
- Extras: Travel allowance and language course funding often included.
4. University College London (UCL) – EPSRC Studentships in HCI
- Country: United Kingdom
- Coverage: Full tuition (home/international), annual tax-free stipend (~£20,000)
- Level: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction
- Notes: UCL Interaction Centre (UCLIC) is a world-renowned hub for interdisciplinary HCI research.
5. ETH Zurich – Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
- Country: Switzerland
- Coverage: Full tuition waiver, CHF 12,000 living stipend per semester
- Level: Master’s
- Relevant Degrees: Computer Science or Information Technology with HCI research focus
6. Aalto University – UX & Service Design Master’s Track
- Country: Finland
- Coverage: Full tuition waiver + Finland Fellowship (monthly stipend)
- Program: Master’s in Collaborative and Industrial Design or Computer Science
- Research Areas: Inclusive design, cognitive ergonomics, digital service ecosystems
7. Chalmers University of Technology – Interaction Design Master’s Program
- Country: Sweden
- Coverage: Full tuition, living cost stipends for international students through IPOET/Avancez scholarships
- Focus Areas: Tangible interaction, usability engineering, interactive prototyping
8. University of Trento – HCI PhD Positions (ICT Doctoral School)
- Country: Italy
- Coverage: Tuition + ~€1,200/month stipend, research travel grants
- Features: Interdisciplinary work combining cognitive science, informatics, and HCI design.
9. HCI@Inria Doctoral Fellowships
- Country: France
- Coverage: Full funding + paid research contract (CIFRE or doctoral contract)
- Areas: Interactive systems, gesture-based UI, AR/VR usability, computational design
10. KU Leuven – HCI-Focused Scholarships in Digital Humanities & Computing
- Country: Belgium
- Coverage: Full tuition, €1,000+ monthly stipend
- Level: Master’s or PhD
- Topics: UX in education, accessibility technology, interaction design for social good
Final Word
Europe is a powerhouse for cutting-edge HCI and UX research, and many of its top universities offer full financial support to help international students thrive. Whether you’re interested in wearable interfaces, immersive design, or accessible user systems, 2025 promises robust scholarship opportunities for forward-thinking tech designers and researchers.