1. Home: Explore careers
  2. User experience (UX) designer

User experience (UX) designer

Alternative titles for this job include Interaction designer

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

Average salary (a year)

£32,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become User experience (UX) designer

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

More Information

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

More Information

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

More Information

Volunteering

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.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Degree Apprenticeship at AJ Bell

  • Wage: £22,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Salford Quays, Manchester
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 3 Certificate in Digital Product Design

  • Provider: WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 13 March 2025
  • Location: London

T Level Digital - Digital Production, Design and Development

  • Provider: WEST NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Mansfield
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.