User research and testing project for UKBA
May 2009

Cogapp has delivered a user research and testing project for the UK Border Agency. The organisation, which is responsible for securing and controlling migration in the country, have recently altered their website following an overhaul of the system for admitting those who wish to live, work or study in the country. Our research looked in detail at one strand of information on the new system: the section aimed at prospective students.

The study involved interviewing and observing members of the site's target audience (non-EEA students) as they interacted with the website, and producing a comprehensive report of our findings and recommendations. User testing sessions were conducted both in London and at our in-house observation facility in Brighton. Using the insights gained from these sessions, the site's information architecture was reworked in collaboration with the UK Border Agency.

This is our second project for the UKBA (formerly known as the Border and Immigration Agency), following on from our extensive information architecture work on their website as a whole. The project, which was delivered in 2007, included user research with a wide cross-section of typical applicants for entry into the UK.