7 Best UX Design Bootcamps to Start Your UX Career

Learning Center / UX design / UX Bootcamps

User Experience design is a critical aspect of product development that has become increasingly important in the fast-paced digital world. Many people seek to learn the skills and techniques required to design user-centered products, and UX bootcamps offer the needed knowledge that helps to achieve this goal. In this article, we will discuss what UX bootcamp is, share the top 7 UX bootcamps, and answer a few popular questions about UX bootcamps that people have. 

What is UX bootcamp? 

UX bootcamp is a comprehensive training program that aims to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to become proficient in UX design. It usually takes place over a short period of time (typically several weeks or months) and is designed to be a hands-on learning experience.


The goal of a UX bootcamp is to help participants gain a solid understanding of the UX design process and develop practical skills they can immediately apply in the workplace. That's why during a UX bootcamp, participants are taught the foundational principles of UX design, including user research, prototyping, and usability testing. They also learn about user-centered design processes and design thinking, and how to use the UX design tool, allowing them to create user interfaces that are visually appealing and easy to use. 


Many bootcamps invite participants to work on real-world projects so that upon completion, graduates should have a portfolio of projects demonstrating their ability to create effective and user-friendly designs.

Is a UX bootcamp enough to get a job?

Completing a UX bootcamp can help you get a job in UX design, but it is not a guarantee. It depends on several factors, including the quality of the bootcamp, your dedication and effort, and the job market conditions. To increase your chances of getting a job, it is vital to complement your bootcamp education with additional practice and networking.

What kind of UX Bootcamp is right for you?

The right UX bootcamp depends on several factors, including your current skill level, career goals, learning style, and budget. Let's discuss each point individually:

  • Skill level: If you have no prior experience in UX design, you may want to start with a beginner-level bootcamp that covers the fundamentals of UX design. If you have some experience in the field, you may want to consider a bootcamp that focuses on specific topics, such as user research, prototyping, or accessibility.

  • Career goals: Consider what role you want to pursue in UX design. Different bootcamps may be focused on specific fields, such as UX design for web or mobile design. 

  • Learning style: Some people prefer a lecture-based learning environment with practical assignments, while others prefer project-based learning. 

  • Budget: UX bootcamps can range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

7 best UX design bootcamps

1. General Assembly UX Design Immersive

General Assembly is a global educational institution that offers a variety of courses in design, technology, and business. General Assembly User Experience Design Immersive is a comprehensive program that covers the fundamentals of UX design and provides students with the skills they need to become UX designers.


https://generalassemb.ly/education/user-experience-design-immersive

General Assembly UX Design Immersive.


Tuition fee: $15,950


Education format: In-person and online


Duration: Participants can choose between immersive and part-time education. The immersive option takes 12 weeks (3 months). The part-time option takes 24 weeks (6 months) to complete.


Specialty: UX design, product design


Pros:

  • In-person or online education format;

  • Full-time and part-time enrollment available;


Cons:

  • High tuition rate;

  • No job guarantee (General Assembly does not offer a tuition refund for graduates who do not find jobs within six months of completing the program).


Students reviews: Students' reviews of General Assembly UX Design Immersive are mostly positive; students mention excellent overall experience, curriculum, and experience working with instructors. As a major downside, some students cite average job assistance.  


General Assembly review

General Assembly review by one of the students. Image by coursereport.

2. CareerFoundry (UX Design Program)

CareerFoundry is an online education platform that offers courses in UX design, web development, and many other tech fields. Their UX design program is a comprehensive, project-based course that covers all aspects of UX design and provides students with the skills they need to become UX designers. Bootcamp students work with tools like LucidChart, Sketch and UsabilityHub.


CareerFoundry (UX Design Program)

CareerFoundry (UX Design Program).


Tuition fee: $7,900 (monthly payment) or $7110 if up-front payment.


Education format: online


Duration: 6 months with 30 hours per week


Specialty: UX design, product design


Pros:

  • Flexible education format (flexible enrollment options for participants who work full-time);

  • Affordable tuition fee (compared to other programs);

  • Access to expert mentor;

  • Job guarantee (graduates who don’t receive job offers within six months of graduation get their money back);


Cons:

  • No scholarships

  • Online format might not be suitable for some people.


Students reviews: Students' reviews of the CareerFoundry UX Design Program are very positive. Participants mention a good curriculum, the ability to work with teachers, and access to valuable resources.   


CareerFoundry (UX Design Program) review

CareerFoundry (UX Design Program) review by one of the students. Image by careerkarma

3. UX Design Institute (Professional Diploma in UX Design)

UX Design Institute offers a program that allows students to build their UX career with a globally recognized, industry-approved qualification. With a university-backed curriculum, the institute helps students get the mindset, confidence, and skills that make UX designers valuable. The institute offers mentor support and invites participants to join the student community to build their network of contacts. 


UX Design Institute

UX Design Institute (Professional Diploma in UX Design).


Tuition fee: € 2,950


Education format: online


Duration: 6 months with 5 hours per week


Specialty: UX design, product design


Pros:

  • Professional diploma for graduates;

  • Self-paced educational format;

  • Community and mentor support;

  • Relatively inexpensive education;


Cons:

  • No job guarantee

  • Online format might not be suitable for some people 


Students reviews: Students' reviews of UX Design Institute (Professional Diploma in UX Design) are extremely positive. The institute has a 97% Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) that clearly shows that participants enjoy this experience.


UX Design Institute (Professional Diploma in UX Design) review

UX Design Institute (Professional Diploma in UX Design) review by one of the students. Image by switchup

4. Springboard (UX Bootcamp)

Springboard offers a comprehensive UX bootcamp for anyone who wants to move to UX design. Springboard UX bootcamp is self-paced, meaning that students can complete the course on their own schedule. 


The curriculum covers a wide range of topics in UX design, including user research, prototyping, and interface design, and students work on real-world projects to gain hands-on experience. Springboard maintains relationships with big-name hiring partners like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Verizon.


Springboard UX Bootcamp" id="Springboard UX Bootcamp" dir="ltr">Springboard UX Bootcamp

Springboard UX Bootcamp.


Tuition fee: $7,900


Education format: online


Duration: 6 months, with 15 to 20 hours per week.


Specialty: UX design, product design


Pros:

  • Affordable tuition fee (compared to other programs);

  • Career coach;

  • Money back promise;

  • Scholarship available (Springboard offers need-based scholarships);


Cons:

  • Only part-time enrollment (Springboard offers strictly part-time enrollment, focussing on people who want to keep their current job while learning);  

  • Online format might not be suitable for some people.


Students reviews: Students' reviews of Springboard UX Bootcamp are primarily positive; students mention excellent overall experience and good curriculum and job assistance.


Springboard UX Bootcamp review

Springboard UX Bootcamp review by one of the students. Image by coursereport.

5. Designlab (UX Academy)

Designlab UX Academy is a professional online platform that offers courses in user experience design. The courses are designed to help students learn how to design digital products and services that are user-friendly, visually appealing, and effective in meeting user needs. 


UX Academy covers a wide range of topics in UX design, including research, prototyping, interaction design, and visual design. The courses are project-based and taught by experienced UX designers, providing students with hands-on experience and a chance to develop real-world design skills.


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Designlab (UX Academy)


Tuition fee: $7,249 (available to students who pay upfront)


Education format: online


Duration: Designlab offers two options—full-time and part-time format. The program’s full-time option entails 4 months of study at 40 hours per week, and the part-time option entails 8 months of study at 20 hours per week. 


Specialty: UX/UI design, product design


Pros:

  • Covers both UX and UI design;

  • Multiple types of enrollment (Part-time, full-time and self-paced enrollment available).

  • Scholarship is available. Designlab offers a diverse scholarship (available for BIPOC, AAPI, and LQBTQ+ students) and scholarships for learners with disabilities.


Cons:

  • Online format might not be suitable for some people 

  • No job assistance 


Students reviews: Student's reviews of Designlab UX Academy are mostly positive; students mention excellent overall experience, curriculum, and experience working with mentor 1-1. 


Designlab UX Academy review

Designlab UX Academy review by one of the students. Image by coursereport.

6. Flatiron School Product Design Bootcamp

Flatiron School Product Design Bootcamp provides a lot of hands-on experience. Students gain practical skills using tools like Webflow and Figma and create a professional portfolio of work to show to potential employers after graduation. Unlike many other programs, Flatiron School offers both in-person and online bootcamps.


Flatiron School Product Design Bootcamp

Flatiron School Product Design Bootcamp


Tuition fee: $16,900 with partial payments available (you can pay in 12 installments of just $1,400)


Education format: in-person and online


Duration: it takes 15 weeks (almost 4 months) to complete


Specialty: UX/UI design, product design


Pros:

  • Job guarantee (Graduates who do not find a job within 6 months receive a full tuition refund);

  • Scholarships available for different categories of students;

  • Available both in person and online;

  • Offers part-time education option;


Cons:

  • Relatively expensive program


Students reviews: Students' reviews of Flatiron School Product Design Bootcamp are mostly positive; students mention excellent overall experience and good curriculum. As a significant downside, some students cite average job assistance.  


Flatiron School Product Design Bootcamp review

Flatiron School Product Design Bootcamp review by one of the students. Image by coursereport.

7. BrainStation (UX Design Bootcamp)

BrainStation is a digital skills academy that offers a variety of bootcamps and courses in various areas, including UX design. The UX Design Bootcamp is an online program that provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to design user-centered products. 


The program is designed to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of UX design principles, methods, and tools. During the bootcamp, students will learn how to conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and test and validate their designs. They will also learn about design thinking, user-centered design principles, and communicating design decisions effectively to stakeholders. 


BrainStation (UX Design Bootcamp)

BrainStation (UX Design Bootcamp)


Tuition fee: $16,500 (when paid up-front)


Education format: online


Speciality: UX design, product design 


Pros:

  • Scholarship available (multiple options, including the Women in Technology Scholarship, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship).

  • Full-time and part-time enrollment;

Cons:

  • No job guarantee

  • Relatively expensive program; 


Students reviews: Students' reviews of BrainStation UX Design Bootcamp are mostly positive; students mention excellent overall experience and good curriculum. As a major downside, some students cite no job assistance.  


BrainStation UX Design Bootcamp review

BrainStation UX Design Bootcamp review by one of the students. Image by coursereport.

FAQ

Is UI/UX bootcamp worth it?

Whether a UI/UX bootcamp is worth it depends on several factors, such as your goals, prior experience, and financial situation. If you want to move to UI/UX design but don't have any knowledge and experience working in this field, then UI/UX bootcamp can be a good start for you. 

Do companies hire UX bootcamp grads?

Yes, companies do hire UX bootcamp graduates. UX bootcamp graduates can apply to Junior UX designer positions.

Do bootcamps look good on resumes?

Yes, bootcamps can look good on resumes, especially for those pursuing a career in a technical or design-related field. Bootcamps provide students with hands-on experience and practical skills that employers highly value, and they can demonstrate your dedication to learning and your willingness to invest time and resources into improving your skills.


Conclusion

UX design is a complex and multi-disciplinary field that requires ongoing learning and development. UX bootcamps mentioned in this article will help you build a strong foundation for your design knowledge and skills. But attending a UX bootcamp is just the first step in your journey as a UX designer. Think of it as an investment that you make in your future career. Bootcamps will also teach you one critical thing that will make your life as a UX designer much easier—it will prepare you to master your skills as a UX designer constantly.  

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