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User experience (UX) designer

UX designers use research to understand their users and create websites, applications and software to meet their needs.

Annual Salary

£32,000 to £65,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 39 a week

You could work: evenings; occasionally

4.3%
Future employment

There will be 4.3% more User experience (UX) designer jobs in 2029.

Day to day tasks

As a UX designer you'll:

  • work with user researchers and service designers to understand user needs
  • gather business requirements from project leaders
  • design and test prototype solutions based on user research results
  • write clear specifications and guidelines for developers
  • use data and evidence from follow-up research to refine designs
  • make sure designs meet accessibility standards
  • explain design solutions clearly to stakeholders

Working environment

You could work in an office, from home or at a client's business.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
University

You could do a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate award in:

  • UX design
  • product design
  • graphic design
  • human computer interaction (HCI)
  • digital media and web design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You could do a college course, which may lead on to more advanced qualifications, or help you to get a trainee position with a company.

Courses include:

  • digital media design
  • digital product design
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

You may also find a Digital Accessibility Specialist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship useful for this job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Volunteering and work experience

If you're working in an organisation that conducts user research, you could get work experience by volunteering to help in research sessions and user interviews.

You could also get involved with the online user experience community for advice and tips, and to find a mentor to help you.

Direct application

You can apply directly to companies or go through an agency that specialises in providing digital design professionals to clients.

You'll need qualifications and relevant experience to do this.

More information

Career tips

You'll find it useful to have:knowledge of coding like HTML , CSS and JavaScript so you can build wireframes and prototypes; experience of using design software like Adobe Creative Suite; an understanding of agile project development methods

It will also help if you have a portfolio to showcase examples of your work.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a user experience (UX) designer from the User Experience Professionals' Association (UXPA) and techskills.

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With experience you could move into a management job and supervise other designers.

You could also move into a development role if you've got experience of programming languages.

You could work freelance as a self-employed contractor for clients.

Career tips

You'll find it useful to have:

  • knowledge of development tools like HTML and CSS
  • experience of using design software like Adobe Creative Suite
  • experience of creating wire frames and prototypes by hand and with software
  • an understanding of agile project development methods

It'll help if you have a portfolio to showcase examples of your work.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a user experience (UX) designer from

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Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • persistence and determination
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
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