Which UX course is best (for people who want to change careers and find themselves Googling “how to become a UX Designer”)?

There are so many UX design courses available right now, and so many different training providers, it can be overwhelming to work out the best UX design course for you. Plenty of people do a little “sidestep” into UX from a related field and others come from a completely different industry, like me.

I recently switched careers from the world of corporate finance to UX and now I think I have the best job in the world, with a UX consulting firm. Less than 2 years ago, I was asking things like “what is UX design?” and “what qualifications do I need to be a UX designer?” so I had to go through the process of comparing UX courses to understand the differences between them all, to work out which was the best course for me.

You can skip to the Course Comparison List (below) or read on as I’ve highlighted a few things that are worth considering when you’re deciding which is the right course for you.

All of the courses listed below aim to get you job-ready for a new career in UX Design, without studying for a few years to get a degree. They all provide students with a case study for their portfolio; some offer this through working on a real project with real clients, others provide this through a simulated project.

Simulated vs real client projects

Simulated projects come in two varieties — prescribed and passion. Simulated projects should still require you to conduct research with real people (the target audience for the fictional product you’re designing) but they won’t be real “users”, because the product doesn’t actually exist. This also means that your research insights will never be implemented, and you’ll never know the impact your research and designs have on the users of a product.

(Just in case you’re not familiar with the term ‘product’ in this context, examples of digital products are apps, websites, and software.)

• Prescribed projects are a great way for training institutions to manage large classes because all students are working on the same project (but they’re not always the best way to learn).
• Passion projects are chosen by the student. This means that you can design a product that aligns with your interests. Because you’ve chosen it, you may be more invested in seeing it through but, on the flip side, your judgement could be clouded, and bias could creep into your research. When viewing a passion project in your portfolio, potential employers are able to get to know you a bit more through your choice of project.

Real client projects mean you get to work on a real product, with real users. When you’re learning, working with users of a real product is always going to beat working with assumed target audiences, because you’ll discover actual challenges that are faced when they use a product. These projects are often for non-profit organisations too, so you can also feel good knowing that the work you’re doing is actually going to help people. Working on a real project means you might even be able to see your designs in action when your suggestions have been implemented. It also looks much better on your portfolio when viewed by potential employers.

Why do I need a project?

When deciding which course is right for you, you should remember why you’re studying. If you’re looking to enter UX from a completely different field (like me), your course needs to provide you with the best opportunity to convince future employers that you know what you’re doing. The practical experience puts the theory you’re learning into action.

I often see posts in Facebook groups from people asking, “How do I create a UX portfolio?”. The first step is actually gaining some project experience. When you’re changing careers, the ability to show potential employers that you have practical experience is a game-changer. Your theoretical knowledge could be at an A+ level but if you can’t show that you’ve put it into action, or walk someone through your processes, a recruiter is unlikely to take a chance on you.

Prospective employers ask all job applicants to provide a portfolio of their work. This is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd and showcase all the reasons why you’re the best person for the job. Without a portfolio, you’ll find it difficult to break into UX. This is the reason you will need to find a course with a project (and the reason why you won’t find any courses on this list that don’t offer this opportunity to gain experience in this way).

Not only does your portfolio need to show employers that you’re capable of performing all the tasks they’ll need you to (and give you an opportunity to talk through your research with users, analysis, design, iteration, and the potential impact of your work), it also needs to show off your personality and personal skills and attributes (for example, problem-solving, collaborative, empathetic, curious etc.).

Accountability and support

You know yourself best. Are you the type of person who starts out with the best intentions, but you’re actually not disciplined enough to keep going without supervision? (Um, yep! 🙋‍♀️) If so, a structured UX course with deadlines and a coach who provides support and holds you accountable might be best for you. If you are one of those unicorns who are highly motivated and self-disciplined, then a self-paced online course may be better for you.

It’s a good idea to think about how much support and external accountability you’ll need in order to succeed. Reflect on your own past behaviour and be honest with yourself. Investing in any course is an investment in your future career, so make sure you get as much from it as you can. A cheaper, self-paced course may seem more appealing but may cost you in the long run if it takes you longer to reach your goal.