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• Best UI/UX Design Bootcamps

5 Best UI/UX Design Bootcamps Of 2024

Updated: Feb 6, 2024, 4:59am

Tech companies rely on UX and UI designers to create accessible, aesthetic and user-friendly web interfaces. UI/UX design bootcamps offer a fast track to these in-demand tech careers.

Focused on user experience, UX bootcamps offer immersive training in design thinking, user research and design technologies. As a UX bootcamp student, you’ll learn how to create a user persona, conduct interviews and create design prototypes. You can expect to leave the bootcamp with a professional portfolio showcasing your designs for prospective employers.

If you’re interested in UI, UX or product design bootcamps, you have dozens of options to choose from. But which bootcamps offer the best preparation and support to help you launch your UX/UI design career?

Our ranking explores the five best UX bootcamps, determined based on a stringent methodology.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• Over 3,868 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We scored 17 online UX bootcamps in the U.S. using 14 data points in the categories of career support, credibility, affordability and student experience. We pulled data for these categories from individual bootcamp providers. Data is accurate as of November 2023.

We scored bootcamps based on the following metrics:

Career Support

• Access to career coaching or mentorship
• Availability of job guarantee
• Official hiring partners

Credibility

• Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR) membership status
• Student outcomes data transparency
• Pricing transparency
• Length of time provider has been operating

Affordability

• Upfront cost per week
• Availability of installment payment plan
• Availability of delayed payment plan
• Accepts GI Bill® or VET TEC program

Student Experience

• Average time to completion (in hours)
• Scheduling flexibility

We chose the five best bootcamps to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 90% or higher.

For the purpose of our rankings, we do not evaluate bootcamps offered through universities. Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Best UX Design Bootcamps

What does a ui/ux bootcamp entail, ui/ux career paths and highest-paying jobs, online ui/ux bootcamp credibility, how to find the right online ux design bootcamp for you, paying for an online ux bootcamp, frequently asked questions (faqs) about online ui/ux design bootcamps, designlab ux academy, careerfoundry ux design program, flatiron school ux/ui product design bootcamp, thinkful ux/ui design bootcamp, springboard ux design bootcamp, best for students on a budget.

Total Upfront Cost

Job Guarantee

Official Hiring Partners

Shopify, Target, Adidas, Salesforce, Facebook

Build a customized, stand-out portfolio in Designlab’s UX Academy. Each student crafts two responsive webpages, an end-to-end mobile app and a feature-based design to showcase their range and skills.

During the bootcamp, learners participate in one-on-one video calls with design mentors. Career support also helps graduates land a job. Personalized feedback and guidance, plus group critique sessions, strengthen constructive design skills. Designlab reports a median graduation-to-hire time of 14 weeks.

• Time Commitment: 15 to 30 weeks, 20 to 40 hours per week
• Bootcamp Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Notable Bootcamp Courses: User research, interaction design, user interface design
• Prerequisites: UX Academy Foundations (for those new to design)
• Finance Options: Installment plan, loans
• Scholarships Available: Diversify Design

Best for flexibility

Netflix, PayPal, Google, eBay, Amazon

Explore user-centric design thinking in the UX design program at CareerFoundry . This relatively affordable bootcamp mentors learners through every assignment and project review. Students customize their learning experience by choosing a specialization in UI for UX designers, front-end development for designers or voice user interface design.

CareerFoundry incorporates a job preparation course that includes partner apprenticeships, career coaching and external work experience placements. The flexible program offers start dates every two weeks.

• Time Commitment: 30 to 40 hours per week for five months (full-time); 15 to 20 hours per week for up to 10 months (part-time)
• Notable Bootcamp Courses: Usability testing, competitive analysis, visual design principles
• Prerequisites: N/A
• Finance Options: Installment plan, deferred tuition, loans
• Scholarships Available: N/A

Best for graduating quickly

Intel, Spotify, Kickstarter, Microsoft, New York Times

Finish a UX/UI product design bootcamp in as little as 15 weeks at Flatiron School . Learners in this program explore design technologies and problem-solving techniques. They can choose from synchronous learning with a cohort or self-paced, pre-recorded lessons.

The bootcamp offers student advisors, technical coaches and career coaches to keep learners on track, providing 180 days of one-on-one career coaching after completing the bootcamp. Flatiron’s employer partnerships can also help graduates find jobs in tech.

• Time Commitment: 15 to 40 weeks
• Notable Bootcamp Courses: UX process, UI process
• Finance Options: Loans
• Scholarships Available: Access Scholarship, Merit Scholarship, Women Take Tech

Best for product design

Google, Webflow, IBM, Amazon, Walmart Labs

The Thinkful UX/UI design bootcamp uses a part-time, six-month format that builds job-ready skills. With a focus on product design, the program emphasizes wireframe prototyping, user research and interactive design.

Students match with a personal mentor to gain real-world career experience. The program incorporates live video consultations, on-demand technical coaching and live chats with experts. Learners also receive detailed feedback and reviews on their portfolio projects. Thinkful also offers exclusive access to open UX/UI design and product design roles.

• Time Commitment: Six months at 20 to 25 hours per week
• Bootcamp Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Notable Bootcamp Courses: UX research, databases and SQL, web design and visual design
• Finance Options: Installment plan, deferred tuition

Best for career-switchers

J.P. Morgan, Boeing, Amazon, Verizon, Oracle

The project-based curriculum in Springboard ’s UX design bootcamp builds and tests industry-specific skills. Designed for learners with some experience in user research and visual content, the bootcamp incorporates multiple projects to build an interview-ready portfolio. Students also complete a four-week remote externship with a startup to gain experience.

Springboard offers a job guarantee. Qualifying learners will receive a refund on their tuition if they do not get a qualifying job offer within an allotted time after graduation.

• Time Commitment: Six months at 15 to 20 hours per week
• Notable Bootcamp Courses: Design thinking, information architecture, user interface design
• Prerequisites: One year of professional experience in visual content, digital products or understanding users
• Finance Options: Installment plan, deferred tuition, financed tuition loan
• Scholarships Available: Women In Technology Scholarship, Diversity In Tech Scholarship, Career Reboot Scholarship

A UI/UX design bootcamp prepares graduates to begin tech careers. Learners explore user research, information architecture and user-centered design processes.

Most UX bootcamps begin with an introduction to UX and UI design, followed by project-based assignments that may include user interviews, wireframes, usability tests and a completed project. Students also learn how to use industry-specific software, including Figma, Adobe XD and Sketch.

By graduation, learners have a UX/UI design portfolio that showcases their knowledge and skills. Many bootcamps also incorporate job-focused components such as mock interviews and career coaching.

After completing a UI/UX design bootcamp, you’ll qualify to work as a UX designer, product designer or UI designer. You can also pursue opportunities in related fields like web design and graphic design .

Common UI/UX career paths include:

• UX designer
• UI designer
• Product designer
• UX strategist
• UX architect
• Web designer
• UX researcher

Bootcamps generally prepare graduates for entry-level or mid-level roles, depending on their level of experience. Some career paths require additional work experience in addition to a bootcamp.

While degree-granting colleges and universities must undergo a rigorous accreditation process to demonstrate quality and value, online bootcamps operate under fewer regulations. You’ll need to do your research to ensure you attend a worthwhile UX design bootcamp.

Independent resources like the Council on Integrity in Reporting Results , which collects data on student outcomes, can help you find a credible bootcamp. It’s also a good idea to be aware of deceptive practices that bootcamps use in advertising, such as including non-tech or part-time jobs in job placement statistics.

Forbes Advisor’s ranking methodology rewards bootcamp providers that report to CIRR and publish transparent data on pricing and student outcomes.

Tech bootcamps are a booming business. Currently, around 60 companies offer more than 300 bootcamps in the U.S. , according to data collected by Forbes Advisor. And the bootcamp industry can be volatile, with new bootcamps launching every year.

So how can you find the right UX design bootcamp for you? By considering your goals, schedule and budget, you can find the best fit.

What Are Your Career Goals?

If you want to break into tech, a UX design bootcamp might be a good option. Most bootcamps take three to six months and offer career services to help you find a job. Before applying, research job placement support and the graduate placement record to find a bootcamp that matches your career goals.

What’s Your Availability?

Are you working full time? Or do you want to accelerate your bootcamp? You can find a UX design bootcamp that fits your schedule, but be realistic about the time commitment.

The fastest bootcamps take around three months, but typically, students should expect to commit 40 to 50 hours per week to their programs. Part-time options, which take six to 10 months, appeal to working students, but you’ll still need 15 to 20 hours per week for your bootcamp.

What’s Your Budget?

Consider your budget when researching UX bootcamps. The cost of a bootcamp depends on the bootcamp and the payment option. In general, if you can afford to pay the full cost upfront, you’ll save money in the long run.

Upfront tuition for tech bootcamps costs a median of $8,300, according to Forbes Advisor research. While that’s generally less than a full college degree, it’s still a large investment for many students––and some UX bootcamps cost significantly more than average.

To make things easier, you have several options when it comes to paying for an online bootcamp.

How Much Is a UI/UX Bootcamp?

The cost of a UI/UX bootcamp varies widely, with the cost of programs reviewed by Forbes Advisor ranging from around $7,000 on the low end to over $17,000 on the high end.

Students have several options when it comes to paying for bootcamps. However, bootcamps generally do not qualify for federal student loans.

Upfront Payment

Upfront payment usually comes with the lowest overall price. But you’ll need to pay the total cost in one lump sum, which can be difficult for many students.

Pay in Installments

Most coding bootcamps offer installment plans that let you pay over time. During a three-month bootcamp, for example, you might make three monthly payments. While this option typically costs more overall than paying upfront, it can be more manageable for some students on a budget.

Income Share Agreement

Instead of paying tuition while attending a bootcamp, an income share agreement (ISA) requires you to pay a percentage of your earnings to your bootcamp provider after you graduate.

While paying later may seem like a good deal, income share agreements often end up costing significantly more than paying upfront. Plus, ISAs are generally unregulated, making them a relatively risky option.

Several bootcamps offer job guarantees , which provide tuition refunds to graduates who do not receive qualifying job offers within six to 12 months after graduating.

Keep in mind that you may need to pay tuition upfront for the job guarantee to apply, and you might need to meet stringent requirements to qualify for a refund. For example, you may need to apply to 20 or more jobs each week.

Loans, Scholarships and Other Aid

While you can’t take out federal student loans to pay for a bootcamp, several providers partner with lenders to offer private loans. Some bootcamps also offer scholarships. Before applying to any bootcamps, research your scholarship and financial aid options.

Are UX design bootcamps worth it?

UX design bootcamps can pay off, but the value of any bootcamp depends on the provider and your goals. After completing a bootcamp, you’ll qualify for many UX design jobs. However, before applying to a bootcamp, research its total cost and job placement record.

Which bootcamp is best for UX design?

Forbes Advisor ranks the following UX bootcamps as the best for 2024: Designlabs, CareerFoundry, Flatiron School, Thinkful and Springboard. These bootcamps also follow the best practices for reporting student outcome data.

Can I learn UX in three months?

Yes, you can learn UX in as little as three months. Intensive, full-time UX bootcamps typically require 15 weeks. However, you’ll need to spend 40 to 50 hours per week studying user experience design.

Is UX in demand?

Yes, demand for UX designers remains high. Web and digital interface designers, a category that includes UX designers, will see 15% projected job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s significantly faster than average.

Is UI/UX design high-paying?

UI/UX design can be a high-paying field. Web and digital interface designers earned a median pay of $83,240 in May 2022, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure at the University of Louisville. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in higher education, Genevieve provides practical, research-based advice on college degrees, career training and other higher education topics.

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Build a Career in UI/UX Design

UX Academy combines rigorous, cutting-edge curriculum with expert, 1-on-1 mentorship to help you build the skills you need to launch a career in UX design.

Transform Your Career with UX Academy

UX designers create the digital experiences that touch billions of people, and the field of UX is expected to see strong growth over the next decade. UX Academy will teach you the complete design process and help you create a unique portfolio that stands out from the crowd.

A Learning Path for All Levels

Most students begin with our 4-8 week UX Academy Foundations, where you'll learn UI basics and get comfortable with tools like Figma. Experienced visual designers can apply directly to our main UX Academy.

Supported and Structured

Complete online, asynchronous lessons, then meet 1-on-1 with your expert design mentor to get unblocked and ask questions. As part of Designlab, you'll also join a vibrant online community where you can collaborate, network, and make friends.

Launch Your Design Career  Without Breaking the Bank

Designlab offers a range of options to pay for your UX Academy tuition – including interest-free payment plans and long-term financing.

UX Academy Foundations: Now With AI Content

Explore the latest frontiers of design and integrate AI tools into your design process to generate ideas, create imagery, guide typography choices, and more!

Experience the Power of Quality 1:1 Mentorship

All UX Academy students are matched with a 1-on-1 design mentor who will provide feedback, answer questions, and help you stay motivated. Our mentors are all working designers who have been thoroughly vetted for both design expertise and strong communication skills.

Three Steps to Transform Your Career

For most, UX Academy is a three step process. You start by enrolling in UX Academy Foundations where you'll learn essential UI skills. From there, you'll move on to the core UX Academy program where you'll become proficient in the complete UX design process and build a unique portfolio to showcase your skills. As a final step, you'll enter Career Services where you'll get matched with a career coach that will help you get hired.

Your Journey Starts Here

UX Academy Foundations is a 4-8 week introductory course for aspiring designers that covers design principles, visual design, and UI design. You’ll work 1:1 with a professional design mentor and finish the course with all the skills necessary to move on to UX Academy.

UX ACADEMY FOUNDATIONS

Ux academy foundations curriculum.

Spend 10-20 hours/week to complete the course within the 8 week deadline. You’ll get 8 mentor sessions to accelerate learning and answer questions. Finally, apply all the skills you’ve learned throughout the course during the final project.

Learn key visual and UI design skills—from typography to colors and layouts, and practice applying them in realistic situations. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to take your ideas from initial concept to full web page and mobile screen designs.

Gain experience working collaboratively with a professional designer through 1:1 mentor sessions. Incorporate your mentor's written and verbal feedback into your work, and hear an insider's perspective on the field of UX/ product designer.

Practice and experiment with the industry’s latest tools. From learning about vector shapes and pen tools to laying out a full webpage, you’ll complete Foundations with a solid understanding of how to use industry-standard design tools like Figma.

What Students Say About UX Academy Foundations

"Loved this program - totally doable with a full-time job, and teaches all the basics of UX/UI. I think it is a great starting point as it gives you all needed skills to continue learning after the program is over! Love the one-on-one mentoring, too."

"My mentor was absolutely amazing! She gave great feedback and really helped me beyond just foundational learning. Once I understood the basics, she encouraged me to start thinking about higher level design thinking. She was extremely patient and very knowledgable!"

"The experience was fantastic. The curriculum was very well rounded and provided me with the fundamentals of design. The projects were challenging and well prepared. The mentorship experience was really great—interacting with someone that’s actively working on the fields as a designer was very helpful."

"The course was well structured and the projects were fun and helpful in learning Figma. My favorite aspect was being paired with a mentor who works in the industry where I could get feedback, learn best practices, and ask all questions related to UX/UI design and careers in the industry."

"I liked how all the information in the course was developed by Designlab, meaning I was paying for unique material. I also really appreciated the mentor program. It really helps to have real feedback from a real professional."

"I had zero experience with design before the course and having completed it now, I can confidently say I have a good grasp on design basics. My mentor is an amazing teacher. She is supportive, helpful and caring. Our sessions were always productive and she even took the time to walk me through past projects, explain workflows, and share frameworks."

Student Projects

In the last unit of UX Academy Foundations, you'll work on a 10-hour, final design challenge to apply everything you've learned in the course. With the support of your mentor, you'll get this project to a standard in which it's ready to use for entry into UX Academy.

Learn the Skills Needed to Get Hired

With help and guidance from your mentor, you’ll work through over 490 hours of UX/UI design lessons and projects that will prepare you for a career in UX or product design. You’ll complete over 100 realistic, hands-on exercises, and build a standout portfolio with four creative capstone projects.

UX Academy At a Glance

Ux design essentials.

Learn UX/UI design through comprehensive lessons and tutorials with hands-on projects, peer review sessions, and weekly 1:1 sessions with your professional mentor.

PORTFOLIO AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER PREP

Create a unique and high-quality portfolio with four capstone UX design projects based on real-world scenarios.

Get Ready to Graduate!

Your portfolio will be reviewed by our panel of experienced design hiring managers. Once approved, you’ll officially graduate from UX Academy and can head to Career Services for real support in finding your dream job.

Explore the Full UX Academy Syllabus

Build a portfolio as unique as you are.

Graduate from UX Academy with an outstanding portfolio that aligns perfectly with your career goals and helps you look great to potential employers. The knowledge and skills you learned in the program will be integral in creating a portfolio of 4 unique projects that will showcase your range as a designer as well as your process and solutions.

Meet with your peers weekly to get and give feedback on course projects, and hone your skills in this practice that is common across many top employers.

Through weekly 1:1 video calls, you’ll get insightful feedback from a Mentor committed to helping you master the hard and soft skills you need to succeed as a UX Designer.

Work through structured portfolio projects that can be tailored to align with your goals and interests to help ensure a diverse portfolio that’s true to you.

The UX Academy Application Process

Read info about program requirements for UX Academy.

Submit your design portfolio or complete our Design Challenge.

We’ll review your application and reply within 4 business days.

Once accepted, enroll in UX Academy to save your spot in the next cohort.

If you’re not accepted into the Academy, don’t worry. You can enroll in Foundations to quickly build the design skills you need to ace your UX Academy application. Even better, all Foundations students will receive a $500 credit off their UX Academy tuition.

Put Your Skills to Work

Get real support by working 1:1 with a career coach with direct experience working and hiring in your chosen field. They’ll assist with every aspect of your job search—from writing and revising your resume and cover letters, to negotiating and maximizing your job offers. Career Services is included in your UX Academy tuition, and limited to graduates.

Career Services

Receive up to 26 coaching sessions with one of our experienced career coaches who can assist with everything from resumes and interview prep to networking and salary negotiations. Our coaches have direct experience with the UI/ UX Design job market as hiring managers or a demonstrated track record of helping others secure roles at top companies.

Collaborate and celebrate (once you land your new job) with your peers on our Discord server with channels specific to job-seekers. Meet with your peers in sessions facilitated by a career coach to discuss important career-focused topics like interviewing, application materials, and presentations.

Track your job search with free access to Huntr. Keep track of all the job opportunities you’ve found and applications you’ve submitted, and share progress with your Career Coach. The Designlab team also occasionally shares job opportunities via Discord.

Explore the Full ux academy Syllabus

Recent graduate hires.

UX Academy Graduates Have Accepted Roles in:

Plan your timeline.

A new cohort of UX Academy Foundations and UX Academy start each month. Map out your journey below and estimate your graduation date depending on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework. Need even more time? Learn about our self-paced option .

Multiple Ways to Pay

Ux academy tuition.

Designlab was born out of the desire to make quality, career-focused design education as accessible as possible. To that end, we offer a range of options to make UX Academy fit your needs and financial situation.

Have more questions? Need something different?

Set up a time to chat one-on-one with our admissions team.

ADD $500 FOUNDATIONS DISCOUNT?

MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN

(6 & 10 MONTHS)

Divide tuition into six or ten monthly installments. Includes $400 payment processing fee. Zero interest. Ideal for those who want to pay over time without a traditional interest-bearing loan.

UPFRONT PAYMENT

(SAVE $400)

Pay the full tuition upfront when your course launches. Ideal for those wanting the lowest cost overall.

LONG-TERM FINANCING

(VIA CLIMB CREDIT)*

Our long-term financing partner Climb Credit offers both fully deferred (you don't start playing until the program is complete) and interest only (you only pay interest while you're in the program) option. This is a great option for those on a budge who want the most affordable monthly payments.

*Only available to US based students.

Pay the full tuition upfrot whenyour course launches. Ideal for those wanting thelowest cost overall.

Learn the Foundations Free When You Go on to UX Academy

When you start with UX Academy Foundations, you can transfer the entire $499 cost of the course as credit toward your UX Academy Tuition – effectively making your Foundations tuition free.

No application fees. Choose your preferred payment plan after receiving your acceptance letter. Tuition fees are charged on course start dates.

Showcase Your Skills

In addition to leaving UX Academy with a standout portfolio and new skillset, all graduates also receive a digital certificate you can add to your website or Linkedin account.

Our Students, Alumni, and Mentors Work at Top Companies Around the World

Rave Reviews

My experience with Designlab's UX Foundations was extremely positive. The course content was extremely clear, interesting, and well organized. The mentor sessions were a great opportunity to get one-on-one instruction and feedback.

My mentor was very responsive and willing to help, which was a huge plus in my journey. The program provides great resources as well and tries to help students have a good understanding of what they are trying to teach.

I became skilled at using the various features and functions of Figma. My mentor was incredibly experienced and great at teaching me design skills. The lessons are well-paced and full of essential information and skill-building.

I had a wonderful experience working with my mentor, and I really feel that she put a lot of effort into her comments. I felt that my design skills definitely grew a ton in this short class.

I was pleasantly surprised on the quality of the entire program. As someone new to formal design education, the curriculum was just right.

My favorite aspect of the course was being paired with a mentor who works in the industry where I could get project feedback, learn best practices, and ask all questions related to UX/UI design and careers in the industry. I'm excited to continue the journey and enroll in the UX Academy!

Your first step to a career in ux design

Embark on your UX design journey by enrolling in our beginner course, UX Academy Foundations. Experience quality 1:1 design mentorship and get a $500 credit towards UX Academy.

• Columbia Engineering Boot Camps

What is UX Research?

At a high level, user experience (UX) refers to the experiences, feelings, and perceptions that one has when interacting with a company’s products, services, and engagement channels (e.g., website, kiosk, customer service). UX encompasses usability, design, marketing, accessibility, performance, comfort, utility, and other related dynamics.

UX research refers to the process of studying and understanding how users interact with a product, service, or engagement channel in order to design experiences that are people-focused. It can help a company understand their target audience and how they think, allowing them to gain valuable insights into the wants and needs of the customer base.

In this guide, we’ll discuss some important questions related to UX research:

What Does a UX Researcher Do?

• Why is UX Research Important?

What Research Methods Do UX Researchers Use?

What is the difference between ui and ux.

• How is the UX Researcher’s Role Different From a UX Designer?
• What Skills are Needed to Become a UX Researcher?
• How Can I Break Into the UX Research field?

UX Bootcamp vs. Degree — Which Is Better?

Are ux bootcamps worth it.

UX researchers build research methods and use those methods to study consumer behavior and preferences. They analyze the data generated from their research and report their findings to a broader design team.

UX research generates a range of numerical and non-numerical (quantitative vs. qualitative) data. This could be attitudinal (focused on a consumer’s attitudes or feelings) or behavioral (focused on a consumer’s actions) — having a variety of data sources can help a UX researcher gain an accurate view of an organization’s customers.

Why Is UX Research Important?

UX research provides a foundation for design decisions. UX researchers are in high demand because of the value they bring to organizations. They can provide actionable insights to a business in order to improve the services they offer. These insights allow a team to make research-backed decisions instead of making guesses and operating in the dark.

Now that we’ve discussed UX researchers and their role as research designers, let’s take a look at some of the methods utilized in UX research.

Interviews are a great way for UX researchers to gather insights about their users. Talking directly to customers can help a business gather qualitative information that other numbers-focused methods might miss. Interviews can be structured (with a pre-written set of questions), semi-structured (with some pre-written questions and room to explore topics as they come up), or unstructured (involving a free-form discussion).

A/B Testing

A/B testing is used frequently across marketing, advertising, and UX research. This is usually implemented to help UX researchers identify the differences between two elements. This could be two styles of buttons, the overall design of a homepage, or two different ways of laying out content. The two competing options will be shown to a random set of users. This generates behavioral data that shows which option was more effective. A/B testing is a great way to test assumptions or check the redesign efficacy of a website or service.

Usability Testing

Usability testing is a great method for conducting UX research. This method uses a data-collection platform to record a user’s screen while they interact with a company’s product or service. This is often accompanied by a recorded narration of a user’s thoughts that come to mind while using the product. Usability testing can help a company understand how users experience and perceive a product’s user flow.

Questionnaires

Questionnaires are lists of questions used to collect data from target users. They’re another great way for a company to get feedback like opinions, experiences, and other thoughts about a product or service. Questionnaires can generate a mix of qualitative data and quantitative data, making them valuable for discovering insights about a product or service.

Concept Testing

UX research can involve determining if a potential, not yet launched product or service will be valuable to a consumer. In concept testing, a researcher shares the value proposition of a new concept, service, or product with users to see if it meets their needs as the target audience.

UX and user interface (UI) design are often confused or used incorrectly. The user interface is an important part of a product’s UX, but UX includes a broader set of ideas to consider.

User Interface (UI) refers to anything that a user interacts with while using a product or service; including physical interaction items like a mouse, screen, or keyboard, as well as the design of the buttons, sliders, or other interactable items.

User experience, on the other hand, involves all parts of a user’s interactions with a product or service encompassing the entire user journey — how a user might find information about a company, the user experience when interacting with the company’s engagement channels, how the user experiences the company’s products or services, user feedback loops to the company, and the user’s feelings throughout the entire process.

How is the UX Researcher Role different From a UX Designer?

There are some key differences between UX researchers and UX designers to consider. UX researchers focus on understanding the motivations of people in a target market. How will this product improve their lives? How does it make them feel? The role of a UX researcher is research-driven, and they work to discover insights that are then turned over to a design team.

UX designers create user-friendly products using UX best practices and insights gained from UX research. See our guide on how to become a UX designer if you’re interested in learning more.

The Skills Needed to Become a UX Researcher

Some UX researchers have backgrounds in other areas and bring valuable skills to their job. These skills usually involve a mix of analytical and creative thinking. Here are a few valuable UX researcher skills to consider if you’re interested in the field.

Research Design

We’ve discussed some of the ways that UX researchers collect data — interviews, surveys, and user testing, to name a few. Managers report that understanding research methods and using these methods to support the design process is one of the most important skills for a UX researcher. There’s a lot of knowledge involved with building these research instruments to make sure the data isn’t biased. For example, a face-to-face interview with a user should showcase how the user feels without introducing bias from the interviewer.

People Skills

Understanding how to collect and interpret data is critical for any UX researcher, but being able to understand and interact with people is also important. At the end of the day, UX research is about understanding the desires and needs of people, so empathy and perceptiveness are incredibly important. Keeping an open mind about what your users want will allow you to discover actionable insights more easily and interpret them accurately.

Design Skills

Understanding good design is an important skill for any UX researcher. Most UX researchers will collaborate with a broader design and product development team that may include web designers, UI designers, UX designers, and product managers. Understanding the overall design process can help a UX designer make recommendations and test viable design changes.

Analytical Skills

UX researchers gather a lot of quantitative and qualitative data through their work. Knowing the best ways to collect data is critical, but UX researchers must also know how to interpret the data they collect. Analyzing UX data allows a researcher to find patterns and trends that can be shared with the design team to recommend changes and refinements.

Creating Personas

UX researchers frequently use personas in their work — a persona is a profile of an archetypical user who represents the needs, wants, and goals of a larger group of users. These profiles are often built using research and information collected from customers. For example, a persona for a coffee shop could include a customer’s desired drink types and the type of coffee shop atmosphere they prefer. Understanding the target persona can help UX researchers and UX designers better identify and understand the wants and needs of their customers.

How to Break Into The UX Research Field

There are several viable paths to forge proper UX researcher qualifications. Having experience in a behavioral science like sociology, communications, economics, or anthropology is one option. Another great option is a UX bootcamp or traditional degree.

Depending on personal learning preferences, UX bootcamps and traditional degrees can be effective ways for anyone to get started in UX research.

UX bootcamps are a consistently ideal pathway for aspiring UX researchers, as they allow anyone interested in the field to gain applicable skills in UX research, UX design, and UI design. Bootcamps are generally quick, yet intensive in their curricula, offering a comprehensive, in-depth look at UX industry skillbuilding via practical instruction. Students are able to learn in a hands-on manner, simulating real-world experience so they can hit the ground running when starting a new career.

Traditional degrees, on the other hand, can prepare students for a wide range of career paths in UX design and UX research over the course of a few years. They can provide the time to develop a skill set and understand what interests you about the field. While specific UX degrees generally do not exist, such skills can be gained through applicable major programs like Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Interaction Design (ID), and Information Architecture (IA).

UX bootcamps are great for anyone who wants to get started in UX research or UI/UX design. These programs are tailored for people in many different situations, from beginners to people with a design or marketing background looking to upskill, or those who are generally interested in technology and how it impacts people.

Another great aspect of UX bootcamps is it lets people gain experience quickly. Columbia Engineering’s UI/UX bootcamp, for instance, is a 24-week program providing hands-on experience from the beginning.

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Frequently Asked Questions About UX Research

Here are some frequently asked questions from people who are interested in how to become a UX researcher:

How can you get started with UX research? Some of the most common ways to get started in UX research include traditional degrees and UX bootcamps. The best option for you depends on your current lifestyle and life stage, including how much time you feel you can commit to educational activities each week and your desired timeline to complete your education. Traditional degrees can take a few years depending on how many classes you take at once. A UX bootcamp , on the other hand, generally takes around 12-24 weeks to complete.

Are UX researchers in demand? Market research analysts are in high demand, which in turn creates an equally high demand for those with vast UX research skills. In fact, according to a 100-year view of UX by the Nielsen Norman Group , the profession is projected to grow from the current 1 million people worldwide to about 100 million people by 2050.

Is UX research a good career? UX research is a great field for people interested in technology and design. UX designers work on solving interesting challenges and their work has a major impact on the success seen by a business’s products. UX researchers are usually very satisfied with their careers and tend to stay in the field.

How much do UX researchers make? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the 2020 median pay for people in the market research analyst industry (which includes the UX research profession) was $65,810 per year — which is significantly higher than the median annual wage in the U.S. The highest 10 percent of these professionals earned over $127,410 dollars per year. The Nielsen Norman Group found that entry-level salaries for UX professionals averaged about $67K in 2019, with a $6K/year experience premium during the first 5 years of their career.

Should you become a UX researcher/designer? Working in either UX research or design can be a great path for anyone looking for a fulfilling career, but choosing one over the other will largely depend on your personal preferences and professional aspirations. Generally speaking, UX researchers will spend much of their time researching and analyzing user demand and behavior, leveraging these findings to inform a stronger usability design process. Designers, on the other hand, oversee the actual creation of a digital entity’s user interface, tapping into key research data to produce an experience that is navigable, easy to interpret, and ultimately in line with a user’s goals and expectations. Aspiring professionals in both fields should be prepared to bring a blend of empathy, critical thinking, and organization to their daily responsibilities.

Do you need a master’s for UX research? Having a master’s degree can help some people get started in UX research — especially if the degree is in social or behavioral science that focuses on behavioral research design. However, a master’s degree is not required for people wanting to work in UX research.

Can you get a UX job with no experience? Having some experience in UX research can help you land a job in an applicable field. However, there are paths for people to start in other ways. Some UX researchers start as freelancers and use those projects for their portfolio. It’s also possible to start doing UX-related tasks at your current organization and build up a skillset to transfer departments. Having some hands-on experience can help you build UX researcher skills and command a higher salary.

Is it hard to get a UX research job? UX research is a growing field where employers value transferable skills, but people of all experience levels can theoretically pursue a job in the field. Those looking to enter the field with no prior experience, for instance, can attend a UX bootcamp to study at a flexible pace via practical instruction.

Resources for Further Learning About UX Research

Are you interested in becoming a UX researcher? Here are a few resources that will help you learn more about UX research and the skills needed to work in the field.

Empathy in UX Design

This resource from UX Planet discusses empathy and how it’s applicable to the field of UX research. This article covers the definition of empathy and how UX researchers and designers can harness empathy in their work. It discusses how to be a good listener, observer, and people-focused researcher.

How To Conduct UX Research For Maximum Value

This resource from UsabilityGeek goes over the basics of the UX research process, outlining what you’ll need to develop a strong research plan. The article discusses planning research, defining goals, choosing methods, and reporting out on findings.

Why is Usability Important?

This article from Granicus goes over a case study that shows why usability is important for products and services. Usability is a critical part of UX design — you’ll learn about the importance of usability, what drives usability for a site or service, and how to apply scientific principles to determine usability.

Creating a User-Centered Approach in Government

Usability.gov provides a helpful guide for anyone looking to learn about user-centered design and best practices. This article discusses how organizations can create a user-focused culture in order to develop experiences that keep the user in mind.

How Companies Can Improve Their Digital User Experience

This page from UserZoom discusses the importance of user experience in the context of utility companies. This is a great case study that shows how organizations in a specific field can understand what’s important to their customers. It also shows examples of user-focused design that illustrate how design impacts a customer’s experience with a service.

Related Careers

Are you interested in technology? Check out our list of career guides for other technology-related fields

• IT project managers have the technical skills to implement tech-focused projects for organizations. Here is our guide on becoming an IT project manager.
• Most modern companies collect a great deal of data on their users, but raw data is nothing without analysis. Here’s our guide to becoming a data analyst.
• Web development is a growing field that’s focused on creating the websites we use every day. Here’s our guide on how to become a web developer.

Guides » UX Research Basics » UX Research Bootcamp

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UX Research Bootcamp

In this guide, you'll learn what ux research bootcamp is, how to choose the right one for you, as well as our top 5 recommendations for ux bootcamps..

Last update 16.05.2024

Starting a career in UX research can be enjoyable and even financially rewarding, whether you’re joining the industry for the first time or making the switch from a similar field. Still, navigating the vast landscape of the UX bootcamp industry can be a challenging task, especially if you’re not familiar with the options and aren’t sure which path is best for you.

Factors such as your desired career trajectory, budget, and the ability to dedicate time to your studies alongside other commitments all play an important role in determining the ideal option for you.

In this guide, we want to clarify this process and provide you with the knowledge to help you make an informed decision.

How to become a UX Researcher?

Like many UI/UX fields, UX research is a young profession. As a result, there isn’t a one defined route that leads to this job. Some UX researchers are self-taught, while others come from different types of work environments. It takes a mix of education, experience, and ongoing learning to become a UX researcher.

Although there are many ways to enter this industry, online UX research bootcamps can be a rather practical and efficient approach towards starting your career.

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What is a UX Research Bootcamp?

A UX Research Bootcamp is a detailed and intense training course created to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in UX Research .

These bootcamps are typically designed to be fast-paced and immersive , ensuring a comprehensive and thorough exploration of skill-building in the UX industry through hands-on instruction. Students engage in practical learning experiences that mirror real-world scenarios, enabling them to transition smoothly into a new career with practical knowledge and readiness to excel.

How to choose a UX Research Bootcamp?

When selecting the right UX bootcamp for you, it’s crucial to consider certain aspects of yourself to ensure an optimal learning experience and a successful career transition.

Here are key factors to figure out in advance:

• Learning preferences: Consider your ideal learning environment and style. Do you prefer theoretical education or hands-on, practical training? Do you study best in a controlled classroom environment or do you like self-paced online learning better? Understanding your learning preferences will help you choose a bootcamp that aligns with your preferred approach.
• Reviews and Reputation: Look into the bootcamp’s credibility and read reviews from former participants. Look for comments on the level of the training, mentoring, and career guidance. Consider participating in online forums or contacting graduates for first-hand knowledge.
• Career support: Analyze the bootcamp’s options for career support. Look for guidance in creating resumes, job search assistance, networking opportunities, and mentoring courses. After you graduate from the bootcamp, having a solid career support network can improve your chances of landing a job.
• Cost and Value: Think about the bootcamp’s price and compare it to the benefits it gives. Search for a course that strikes a balance between cost and the quality of content and teaching offered.

Spend some time exploring and contrasting various bootcamps while taking into account your unique demands, objectives, and financial situation. This will assist you in selecting the best UX research bootcamp that suits your goals and offers the training and assistance required for an enjoyable profession in UX research.

5 Best UX Research Bootcamps

UXInstitute

Duration: 6 weeks

Where can I attend?: Online

Price: $699

The UXInstitute Professional User Research Bootcamp offers valuable insights on conducting product research and its application to your goods and services. This course is based on industry methodologies that support corporations and startups in validating and enhancing new experiences for their products and services, incorporating industry best practices. 

By participating in this program, you will gain knowledge of effective research techniques and approaches that can benefit your team, company, and personal growth. The program emphasizes the importance of collaboration and co-creation with users, fostering the development and success of your product. Upon successfully completing the course, students will be awarded with UXI accreditation.

Duration: 5 weeks

Price: $975

The Memorisely UX Research Bootcamp is a comprehensive course of study created to provide participants with the information they need to succeed in the UX research industry. The bootcamp’s curriculum is well-structured and includes lessons on important subjects including research interviews, usability testing, survey and benchmarking, research report. Over the course of the bootcamp, you will receive direct and relevant feedback from your team of instructors. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions in slack and during classes. But that’s not all: by joining, you’ll get access to a large educational community. In addition to getting to know your classmates, you’ll be able to connect with thousands of designers from all over the world and boost your networking skills.

After completing the course, you will receive a signed Memorisely certificate.

Interaction Design Federation

Duration: Self-paced course with no deadlines

Price: Free for Members

The User Research – Methods and Best Practices this is a course that consists of 7 lessons, 1 lesson opens each week.  In this course, you will learn about qualitative user research and its significance in the design process. You’ll discover how to incorporate user research effectively into your own design workflow and how to plan and conduct valid and ethically sound research projects. The course will teach you how to perform usability tests, user interviews, contextual inquiries, and make user observations. You will also gain insights into analyzing and applying qualitative analysis to research findings. Additionally, you’ll learn how to effectively communicate your research results to clients, superiors, and stakeholders By the end of the course, not only will you receive a Course Certificate, but you will also have three compelling case studies to enrich your portfolio. Having engaging case studies in your portfolio is invaluable if you are pursuing a career in UX design or user research.

Mento Design Academy

Duration: 6 month

Price: $949/month

During this Mento design academy bootcamp , you will learn a wide range of information. From UX research and Interaction Design to portfolio building. You will have access to all the materials received during this course permanently. Also, after completing the course, they provide job search assistance for six months.

You’ll get a certificate that’s been signed after you finish the course. They also provide a written mentor recommendation for exceptional students so you can use it on your resume.

BrainStation

Duration: Full-time/part-time

Price: upon request

Brainstation’s UX Design Bootcamp consists of 5 separate units that include information about: UX Design Fundamentals, UX Research, Strategy & Planning, User Interface & App Design, Applied Design Thinking & Responsive Website Design, and Professional Development. 

After finishing the UX Design bootcamp, you’ll receive a BrainStation UX Design Diploma, which will help you stick out on LinkedIn and on your CV while looking for a new job as an ambitious UX designer.

Unlock your potential

In conclusion, enrolling in a UX Research Bootcamp may be a turning point for anybody hoping to make a name for themselves in the user research industry. It provides you with the fundamental know-how, useful skills, and priceless professional network needed to jumpstart your career.

If you’re ready to take the next step and dive into the world of UX research, look no further than UXtweak .

To immerse yourself in the fascinating world of UX and become a professional, register for your account and explore our research tools.

FAQ: UX Research Bootcamp

Yes, most of the times UX research bootcamps are a great way to jumpstart your career. However, the value of a UX research bootcamp ultimately relies on your individual circumstances and professional goals.

You should carefully investigate several bootcamps to see whether they meet your expectations. Take into account your goals, budget, and intended learning style.

Without any past experience, being a UX researcher needs a thoughtful approach and a commitment to learning. A great starting point is a UX research bootcamp that will give you enough theoretical and practical knowledge.

Be proactive in looking for learning opportunities, developing your skills, and creating a good portfolio to show potential employers your ability.

UX Research Presentation

Ux research basics, topics: ux research basics.

• 01. UX Research Basics
• 02. Remote User Research
• 03. UX Research Plan
• 04. UX Research Questions
• 05. UX Research Methods
• 06. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
• 07. UX Research Strategy
• 08. UX Research Process
• 09. UX Research Report
• 10. UX Research Framework
• 11. UX Research Presentation
• 12. UX Research Bootcamp

Remote User Research

Ux research plan, ux research questions, ux research methods, quantitative vs. qualitative research, ux research strategy, ux research process, ux research report, ux research framework.

• Card Sorting
• Tree Testing
• Preference Test
• Five Second Test
• Session Recording
• Freeform Interviews
• Study Interviews
• Mobile Testing
• First Click Test
• Prototype Testing
• Website Testing
• Onsite Recruiting
• Own Database
• Documentation
• Product features
• UX Glossary
• Comparisons

User Research

Self paced 6 week course, online classes / 1:1 mentorship.

Accepting May 2024 cohort enrolment now

Apply for your place before January 15th, 2024

Required: 3 - 5 hours per week

Limited seats available

Price: $699

Payment Options Available.

User Research Program Start Dates

The User Research course is part-time and 6 weeks long.

The Next Cohort Starts

January 15th, 2024

Deadline for Applications

January 10th, 2024

Listen, Synthesise & Translate Insights into Product Experiences

This program is highly beneficial for....

Startups & Entrepreneurs

Product Owners & Managers

Marketers & UX Researchers

User Research Program

Create user and product research strategies

• Understand user behaviour on current product
• Run research led co-creation workshops with customers

Learn how to synthesise qualitative & quantitative data

• Create user interview scripts

Learn how to interview users and internal stakeholders

Run user research led questionnaires & surveys

• Analyse, map and prioritise insights for the users & business stakeholder teams
• Execute ethnography & usability testing sessions with users
• Educate your team and colleagues with new learnings
• Learn what users want

Program Outcomes

• Learn product research methodologies and strategies to apply to your products and services

The Professional User Research Program is based on industry methodologies that help startups and corporates validate and create new product and services experiences.

• Learn how to apply the right research strategies and activities that work for you, your team and your business.
• Most of all - Learn how to partner, co-create with your users and customers to drive your products experience and growth.
• We’ve already helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, founders and design students across an array of incubators, industries and countries (and counting).

Limited seats are available. Accepting January 2024 cohort enrolment now. Apply for your place before January 10th, 2024

Partner, co create & generate insights you need.

Customer Co-Creation

Learn to Co-Create with Customers

Facilitate Customer Research Workshops

Create Mixed Methods Research Strategies

Learn User Behaviour

Create User Interview Scripts

Get to the Why of User Behaviour

Design User Questionnaires & Surveys

Working with Qual & Quant Data

Align Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Analyse & Synthesise Insights

Drive Continuous Product Improvements

Professional User Research Program

Program module samples.

Full syllabus is available on Request.

Learn Modern Research Strategies

Understand the foundational pillars of user research.

1.0  Introduction to User Research

1.1  Creating Customer Driven Experiences

1.2  Customers / User Inclusion

1.3  Becoming User Led

1.4  The Users Journey / Workflow

1.5  Working with Qualitative & Quantitative Data

1.6  Types of Research Activities

1.7  Mixed Method Research

1.8  Research Tooling (user & stakeholder collaboration)

1.9  How to Include & Educate your Team

By the end of this module you will understand core research strategies and how and where to apply in experience invention / reinvention

Give your users the experience they deserve, find out what users really desire and expect from your product experience.

1.1  Creating & Executing a Research Strategy

1.2  Your Customers Journey - What's Broken?

1.3  What to Research & Why?

1.4  Creating Feedback Loops

1.5  Understanding Your Buyer Persona Arc

1.6  Structured & Unstructured User Interviews

1.6  How to Conduct User Interviews

1.7  Writing Interview Scripts

1.8  How to Ask Questions & Create Dialogue

1.9  Recording & Note Taking

1.9  Interview Tooling

By the end of this module you will understand how to create a research stategey for your product and create and execute applicable research activities

Full syllabus available on request, full syllabus available on request., book your place, get started now.

Remember: Limited seats are available. The cohort kick-off is every 6 weeks. We are accepting January 2024 Cohort Bookings Now. Apply for your place before January 10th, 2024.

One Time Payment

• UXI Accreditation
• Lifetime Access to Course & Material
• Access to Future Updated Course Material
• 1:1 Mentorship - During Course
• Access to Mentors Post Course Completion
• Slack Membership to UXI Research Channel
• Opportunity to Converse & Ideate with Peers
• Continuous Design Learning
• Build Confidence as a Product Researcher

Do Apply For This Course If...

• You are part of a corporate product team or scaling startup building digital products and services
• You are working as part of a research or ux team inventing new experiences.
• You want to understand the customer development process and apply to your products / business.
• You are a UI Designer, Front End Developer, Startup Founder, Product Designer or Product Manager seeking to apply a fluid research workflow.
• You can commit to the training, 3 - 5 hours per week, attend weekly mentor sessions, complete course material, webinars and homework.

FAQ / Support

The User Research Design Course is industry based for aspiring Tech Founders, UX Designers, Product Managers, Tech Marketers, Developers and Design Teams.

Our goal is to deliver the most actionable learning experience of your career.

A one off payment of $699 entitles you to full course enrolment, materials, account login and post course continual updates, new material and access to our student slack channel. 

To enrol, activate your account and start the live course on the kick off date, payment must be received.

The answer to this is YES! The UXI team Mentorship is led by Mark Swaine, Chief UX & Product leader. Mark and team will be mentoring you throughout the course curriculum weekly. 

Mentoring involves, activity / curriculum guidance and assessment of submissions / work completion. 

On course completion students receive UXI accreditation.

The User Research UXI curriculum is the most on point, industry based curriculum available. The curriculum has been crafted from a Product and UX Leadership perspective on inventing and reinventing digital products and services This is a unique course opportunity not to be missed. 

• User Research Strategy across Digital Products and Services
• Co Creating with Customers
• User Interviewing
• Ethnography / Usability Testing
• Mapping & Prioritising Insights 
• Working with Qualitative & Quantitative Data
• Creating Buyer Personas

Every company has a different policy regarding professional development. If tuition reimbursement through your company is a possibility you'd like to explore, once you've applied we can provide support / facilitation to help participants avail of the opportunity.

We accept company payments on behalf of students.

Need help convincing your manager?  Get in touch .

Have Addtionial Questions?

Get the answers you need by speaking to one of our learning advisory team members.

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