UX DESIGN SCHOOLS GUIDE

UX Best Courses

Exploring Top UX Programs

YOUR ULTIMATE RESOURCE TO THE BEST UX DESIGN COURSES

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to evaluate to understand which will be the best UX design schools for you.

Choosing Your UX Design School

Understand key strategies to make an informed decision when selecting a UX Design school. This involves considering aspects such as curriculum, mentorship opportunities, and job guarantees, among other factors.

Essentials of UX Bootcamp

Discover the critical elements that make a UX Design Bootcamp effective. From in-depth portfolio reviews to personalized career services, learn what to look for to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

Top-Rated UX Design Courses

Get an overview of the five best UX Design courses currently available. From CareerFoundry’s program to Google’s professional certificate on Coursera, explore the offerings that could pave your way to a successful UX design career.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A CAREER IN UX DESIGN? CONGRATULATIONS! IT’S A GREAT CHOICE.

But with so many UX design courses available, how do you understand which will be the best UX design schools to give you the appropriate UX design formation?

This detailed guidebook will help you think about everything you need before you make your choice. We’ll cover topics like the UX design course syllabus, mentorship, cost, etc. And if that’s not enough, we’ll suggest some of the best UX design bootcamp for your needs!

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How to choose a UX design schools for you

When choosing a UX design course, it’s essential to do your research to find the best fit for your needs and goals. Whether you’re looking to learn UX design as a hobby or make a career change, there are a few key factors to consider.

1 Defining Your Goals

First and foremost, determine your goals for taking a UX design course. Do you want to learn the basics of UX design as a starting point for a new career, or are you an experienced designer looking to expand your skillset? A clear understanding of your goals will help you choose a course tailored to your needs.

2 Researching Courses

Next, research different courses and their curricula. Look for courses that cover the topics you are interested in and taught by experienced UX designers. Consider the length of the course, the delivery format (e.g. online or in-person), and the price.

3 Seeking Practical Experience

One key aspect to look for in a UX design course is the opportunity for practical experience. While learning the theories and principles of UX design is essential, it is equally important to gain hands-on experience through projects and assignments. This will help you develop your skills and build a portfolio of work that you can show to potential employers.

4 Evaluating Reputation

In addition to the course’s content and format, consider its reputation. Look for courses that have received positive reviews from past students and that are respected in the UX design industry. You can do this by reading reviews online, asking for recommendations from other UX designers or design firms, or checking to see if a recognized organization accredits the course.

5 Finding Discounts

Although paid courses can be a great investment in your education and career, it’s important to remember to look for discount codes if you decide to enroll in one. Additionally, be sure to take advantage of free UX design courses as well. You can learn UX design through many free online resources, including online tutorials, articles, and videos, which can be an excellent way to get started and determine if UX design is the right path for you.

6 Asking for Guidance

Finally, feel free to ask for help if you still need to decide which course to choose. Reach out to a UX designer or design firm for guidance, or ask for recommendations from friends or colleagues who have previously taken UX design courses. With some research and advice, you can find a UX design course that meets your needs and helps you achieve your goals.

Essential features of the UX design Bootcamp

You must look at the details when looking for the best UX design bootcamps. Here are things to look for when researching the best UX design programs:

  • Mentorship
  • Curriculum
  • In-depth portfolio reviews
  • Career services
  • Job guarantee
  • Community of students
  • Transparency and evidence that it works

We will review each of these in more detail so you know what to look for.

Mentorship

UX design mentor is fundamental at the beginning of your career switch! They know how to break into UX design and succeed in the industry, so if you need advice, guidance, or support, turn to them! A mentor can guide you to find rational and effective solutions to confusing problems.

Also for more seasoned UX designers, mentorship support can be valuable; everyone at some stage encounters problems that push beyond their current knowledge. Ux designers can work in sectors very different from each other, which results in issues being very different. The solutions may need to satisfy the needs of many different users and a mentor can assist you in analyzing and finding solutions to meet those new and exciting challenges.

UX mentorships and support are typically arranged in the following manner:

Peer feedback: UX coursework typically includes discussion boards or Slack chats where students can share their work and seek feedback from their peers. Although this type of support is suitable, it is essential to avoid programs that do not include real mentoring. Your peers don’t know what they don’t know, and neither do you! Getting real mentorship is critical to get expert feedback and insights.

Assignment grading: Students are given a test to gauge their knowledge visually. This is excellent for ensuring you understand ideas cognitively, but it is only decent when combined with real mentorship. The knowledge you gain from a graded assignment is more challenging to put into practice than you might hope.

Group mentorship: a great option if you want to work with an expert in your field but also want to connect with other students, though it varies depending on the person; usually, how much help you receive from your mentor is based on two things: how much initiative you take to grow and improve (asking questions, sharing work), and whether your mentor has the time in their schedule to give personalized feedback.

Individualized mentorship: Having a mentor solely focused on you and your needs is the best way to learn. With this form of mentorship, you can get answers to your specific questions, have projects critiqued, and even receive help planning your career. Nothing beats having personalized attention!

For a more in-depth comparison of the different types of UX mentorship offered by the top 5 UX design courses, check out this article.

Curriculum

The curriculum is the foundation of learning at any bootcamp, and if this part suffers, it will be reflected in your work. Make sure that whatever UX program you choose has a well-crafted curriculum built by seasoned professionals which:

  • Is regularly updated to reflect industry changes
  • Focuses on skills development through project-based learning
  • Provides assignments with regular feedback 

Let’s take a closer look now at each of these components.

A curriculum designed by experienced UX professionals

An excellent UX design program should have a curriculum developed by experienced professionals. In addition to quality mentorship, the best programs will prepare you with a strong foundation of knowledge through an expert-designed curriculum.

Before signing up for any course, make sure you research and get a clear understanding of where the learning resources come from and how they’re handed! This can have a significant impact on the overall quality of your education. Do your research before enrolling in any course or bootcamp. Make sure to choose:

  • In-person programs taught by experienced instructors who have a successful track record in the industry, or
  • Online programs with learning materials written by experts or otherwise created collaboratively. The curriculum should at least be made up of resources handpicked by experts.

The most thorough programs have learning materials created by experts in the field and often come with supplemental resources. This way, you can be confident that you’re getting first-hand knowledge from people who use these skills and processes daily on the job!

Curriculum focused on developing job skills and practical experience

Bootcamps that provide theoretical knowledge without any opportunity for hands-on application should be avoided, especially if you have to pay for the course. Instead, focus on courses that will give your practical skills a workout.

The best programs offer a curriculum that is both challenging and comprehensive, including:

  • Project briefs that come from reputable companies or are based on factual scenarios.
  • A guide on how to apply what you have learned, step-by-step.
  • Examples to help guide you as you work
  • A formal process for submitting projects when they are completed.
  • Get feedback from experts in the field who can help you improve your work.

Feedback given frequently and tailored to each individual assignment.

Some courses have projects you can hand in, but the grading/feedback comes from other students who are ahead of you or have already completed the course. Automated feedback (for quizzes) is also available. As we’ve discussed previously, mentorship is valuable. With that in mind, why this type of feedback isn’t ideal should be clear.

Programs that provide frequent feedback from experienced professionals in the UX field will always be more beneficial than those without. Feedback should also always be focused on the point and related directly to your completed work.

Always up-to-date and in sync with industry standards.

To stay ahead of the curve in UX design, you’ll want to make sure the skills, tools and processes you learn are:

  • The skills you’ll need in the workplace.
  • What employers will be looking for when you begin your job search.
  • Being forward-thinking makes you a more desirable candidate for the jobs you want.
  • It will help to ensure your UX career by allowing you to focus on a specialization.

If a UX course or Bootcamp doesn’t keep its curriculum up-to-date, look elsewhere for one that does!

In-depth and professional portfolio reviews

Undoubtedly, your UX design portfolio is one of the essential components of your job search. Finding a recruiter who would give you a chance without first looking at some of your previous work would be challenging.

The best UX design training course will ensure that you get feedback on your portfolio from multiple sources, including a seasoned UX designer and a career specialist. This way, you can be guaranteed that your portfolio meets all the requirements for success.

Career services that are personalized to you

Once you complete a top-notch UX design bootcamp, including an impressive portfolio, the next step is finding a job. However, hunting for jobs in the highly competitive field of UX design takes its own set of skills. Fortunately, with some help and guidance from someone familiar with the process–someone who can show you how to best display your qualifications–you will be able to land the role you want.

The most beneficial UX design program will provide you with individualized career coaching.

If you’re trying to choose between different programs, consider more than just an “employer network.” Consider the following factors:

  • Receive one-on-one coaching from an experienced career specialist familiar with your area’s job market.
  • Critique and suggestions for your professional portfolio, CV, and cover letter.
  • Learn how to nail your following interview with help from experts, including mock interviews and feedback sessions.
  • Career coaching that will help you land the job or even further into your professional life.

The top programs will offer all this and more—like a job guarantee or regular check-ins to ensure you’re on track after graduation.

Job guarantee

It’s getting quite common for the most popular and valuable UX design courses to give their students a job guarantee to prove the value and quality of their classes. This is undoubtedly a double-win strategy, as it helps many students convince them to enrol in the course and simultaneously provides the student with the awareness that they are on the right track to success in becoming Ux designers. However, it must be clear that in most cases, a job guarantee doesn’t mean the school is going to provide a job to the students but just that if they cannot find a job within a determined time limit, the school will pay them back the tuition fees. 

Most of the principles about the job guarantee are very similar for most of these schools; however, students may need to check more carefully the requirements each school may need to be satisfied to meet the job guarantee criteria. 

Learn how the Ux bootcamp job guarantee works in detail.

Learning community for students and support

Some UX bootcamps will offer you a community of supporting students and alums, which is beneficial. However, other courses might use this as their primary source of help instead of providing the benefits we’ve discussed.

Excellent UX design programs offer a supportive student community in addition to an already great combination of curriculum, mentorship, and career services.

Becoming part of an active student community is a fantastic way to feel less isolated (particularly if you’re studying online), get help with user research and other UX projects, and share opportunities and resources with people on the same path towards a new career. Of course, this can only happen if, at the same time, you have access to a high-quality curriculum and one-on-one mentorship.

It’s difficult to tell how active a student community is until you’re already part of it, so do your research before enrolling. See if the bootcamp has a dedicated team that helps students participate actively in the community. You can also look for other students and alums to get their insights on the school!

To gain a deeper understanding of the schools and their approach to UX design, consider attending their webinars and events. These events provide a valuable opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with peers, and gain insights into the latest trends and best practices in UX design.

Transparency and credibility

Transparency and credibility are synonymous with trust. If a bootcamp fails to be forthcoming about critical features, the cost of attendance, or graduate outcomes, that’s cause for concern. However, even if all this information is readily available, there are still a few things you can do to pick a credible bootcamp that will be worth your investment:

  • Examine their social media accounts. How much time and effort are they putting into building a community and interacting with (or even shaping) the industry?
  • Check out who their mentors are and what projects they’re working on to get an idea of where they see themselves in the industry.
  • Most bootcamps will offer some outline or course details, so be sure to ask and get a general idea of the topics you’ll cover.
  • Read course reviews to see what prior students thought of the class once they finished it.
  • The best bootcamps will always offer a call with a real person so that you can ask any questions and get clarification on the program details. This is important because some bootcamps use these calls as an opportunity to make a sale instead of genuinely trying to help the potential student.

Proof that it works

A great way to determine the quality of a UX design program is by finding out where its graduates are now. Did they complete the program and pursue a career in UX design? And if so, where did they end up working? It’s also beneficial To know what percentage of the company’s graduates got a job within a reasonable time after graduation. These are all essential questions you should ask before making your final decision.

The 5 best UX design courses

UX Design Program – CareerFoundry

CareerFoundry’s UX Design Program is based on an expert-written curriculum that is continuously updated to fit industry standards. Curriculum creators work alongside experts designing the courses, so students can be confident they receive a well-rounded education. In addition, there are plenty of extra resources available if needed.

The projects you complete will be both hands-on and based on scenarios from the real world. You’ll have your own personal UX design mentor, who will review your portfolio projects as you finish them. They’re available for any number of calls to answer your questions and help get the most out of their expertise! On top of that, you’ll receive feedback about smaller assignments from your tutor (a working UX designer with extensive knowledge of the course content).

CareerFoundry offers a job preparation course to all enrolled students, led by a career specialist who knows the big picture of the local job market. They will help you strengthen your portfolio, resume and cover letter, and improve your interview skills and job search strategy. Moreover, CareerFoundry has an entire team that actively connects with potential employers for graduates of the program.

In addition, you will have access to a Slack community of students and alumni. The student team constantly works to keep the community active and engaged so that you can instantly immerse yourself in a supportive network of fellow career changers who share ideas with each other.

Check out this Careerfoundry student’s review (don’t miss the Careerfoundry Discount link inside if you choose this course)

UX Academy- Designlab

Designlab is another excellent choice for those who want to become a UX designer. The school gives the option to start with their 4 to 8 weeks Ux Academy foundation course for students without experience in the field or to start with the primary 15 to 30 weeks UX Academy course for those who already have some basic knowledge of Ux design.  

The courses that Designlab have composed are based on hands-on projects and individual mentorship with Ux designer that have accumulated plenty of experience in the industry. The classes are self-paced, allowing students to complete their tasks at their own availability. 

The program of UX Academy with DesignLab also offers support with a career coach for students so they can get help with portfolios, job application and practising interviews. In support of this, Designlab also provides a job guarantee for their graduates from the UX Academy. 

Discover more about the Designlab UX Academy experience by checking out our comprehensive analysis of various Designlab reviews. If you are interested in the UX Academy, Designlab lets you schedule a time to discuss all the questions you may have.

UX Academy – CourseUX

CourseUx is a school specialized in Ux design only and has the advantage of offering a more affordable and convenient option for those looking to learn about UX design. 

The UX Academy proposed by CourseUX is a comprehensive course that will take you from beginner to expert with 400+ hours of written lessons, videos and exercises that you can access immediately after enrolling on the course. You’ll get support from a team of experts and a community of like-minded students. The UX Academy course has four modules, including a special one dedicated to UX writing. 

The projects you’ll work on will give you a real-world experience in UX design, and you’ll graduate with a portfolio of work that will impress potential employers and let you become UX certified with the guaranteed by your mentor and by CourseUX. 

As part of the course, CourseUX will provide career track assistance to assist you with developing your online portfolio and contacting employers. 

Once you sign up on their website, CourseUX will give you a preview of their course and provide you with access to some free lessons.

UX/UI Design Bootcamp – Springboard

The UI/UX Design Bootcamp from Springboard is a 9-month online course that their design team has expertly curated. This means that the learning materials and all resources have been vetted and approved by those who know UX best.

With weekly calls to your personal mentor, you’ll have support available when you need it most. Arranged with real clients, the projects you will have to work on will be hands-on and provide valuable experience. You also get unlimited access to their community of mentors for feedback and advice whenever necessary.

Once you finish the bootcamp and submit your projects, they will be examined by hiring managers in the industry. Furthermore, you’ll have access to coaching calls and an employer network for help as you take those first steps into uncharted territory.

Google UX Design Professional Certificate – Coursera

The Google UX Design Professional Certificate is among the most popular and in-demand certification programs available today. This is because the Google UX Design program is generally perceived as one of the best and most comprehensive design programs available. 

This course provides more than 200 hours of lessons and hundreds of practice-based activities and assessments that replicate real-world UX design situations and are critical for workplace success. The training contains highly interactive material developed by Google employees with several years of experience in UX design. Students will learn how to complete the design process from start to end, including understanding the users, identifying user pain points, generating design ideas, creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes, testing designs through usability studies and iterating on designs in response to feedback. Students will be able to do this thanks to a combination of video, reading, and assessment, as well as Figma and Adobe XD. they will also be able to showcase their skills by creating a portfolio that includes three projects. Students will learn concrete skills that are in demand by top employers.

In addition to experience-led training and hands-on projects designed to qualify students for a job, they will get access to interview practice tools, mock interviews and resume building workshopscareer coaching sessions and more. The students will also be able to connect with over 150 U.S. employers who are searching for candidates who have completed a Google Career Certificate. 

You can expect to complete the course in about six months with a part-time commitment. Before starting this course, you should be aware that apart from peer-to-peer feedback and discussion forums, you will not get any individual mentorship; this means you will have to learn independently.