UX Design Bootcamp vs. Degree vs. Self-taught: How to choose?

UX Design Bootcamp vs. Degree vs. Self-taught: How to choose?

Ludovic Delmas
Ludovic Delmas

While you can be successful whether you’re self-taught, do a UX design bootcamp, or get a University degree, as a UX beginner, you’re probably feeling stuck trying to decide what path is right for you.

Years ago, this wasn’t a problem.

When we first learned UX design, there weren’t too many options available to us (I'm self-taught, and Colton taught himself and went to General Assembly). 

But today? Oh boy… 

Once you grasp how to become a UX designer, the next step is to figure out the best way to learn that’s both actionable and will help you land a job.

Are you a problem solver who wants to go the self-taught route? Do you connect more with the idea of going to a larger, accredited university or college? Or, have you seen all the success stories from people taking intensive UX bootcamps? 

Over the past decade, we’ve been living, breathing, teaching, and working in UX design. In that time, we’ve been down each of these paths and are here to share everything we know so you can make the best possible decision for you

Already know you want to take a UX design bootcamp? We’ve put together a list of the best options based on your background and specific needs below.

In this guide:

Choosing your path: UX bootcamp vs. university degree vs. self-taught

Choose your path: path 1: bootcamp, path 2: university, path 3: self-taught

While many careers have a pretty clear path (i.e., doctors go to medical school, lawyers go to law school), UX design isn’t one of them. 

Instead, UX designers follow one (or a combination) of three paths:

1. Self-taught 

In the early days of UX design, there were no bootcamps or university programs. 

Instead, designers learned on the job or found online resources to help guide them through the UX process. Today, there are tons of blog posts, videos, and free UX courses to help you understand UX basics. 

However, as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Free resources can be unclear, give conflicting views, and end up being more work with fewer results (for example, it’s hard to learn what a good UX case study and portfolio looks like on your own).

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2. University programs 

While you won’t find a ‘UX design’ program at most universities, more and more programs will teach you the essential elements and help you build a portfolio of UX projects. 

However, university courses tend to be more theory-heavy than you’d find in a bootcamp and are competitive to get in. Plus, it’s the most expensive and time-consuming path available. 

But if you have the time, money, and motivation, they’re still a good option.

3. UX design bootcamps 

Short, intensive bootcamps are now the most common route for new UX designers to learn their craft. 

They’re cheaper, faster, and more practical than a university program while giving you the guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities that you miss being self-taught. 

However, with the rising popularity of UX design, everyone and their mother are launching a bootcamp, making it hard to find the best option for you. (We put a list of the best options based on your background below!)

If you want a high-level view of the different options for learning UX, it will look something like this:

An image showing high vs low value/quality and low vs high-cost ways to get into UX.

So how do you pick the path that’s right for you?

Here’s where things get tricky. 

Each path has its pros and cons, depending on your specific situation, experience, and needs. But at least to start, you’ll want to go self-taught. 

Why? 

Because you wouldn’t drop $100k on law school if you had no idea what a lawyer does, would you? 

The same goes for UX design. Before going any further, take the time to learn about the role. If you know anyone in UX, talk to them. Ask them what they like about their job. And what they dislike (because that’s probably what you’ll be doing to start).

Once you’re ready to make a choice, ask these seven questions to narrow down your options:


Question 1: Are you sure UX design is the right career for you?

Maybe you like the idea of being creative daily. Or perhaps you’re excited by the thought of working for an app or company you admire. (Or maybe you’re after the salary!) 

Whatever reason brought you to UX design in the first place, make sure it’s enough to keep you motivated throughout the process. 

If you’re unsure, don’t waste your time or money on a course or bootcamp. Spend time reading blog posts and learning more about what it’s like to become a UX designer first.

Question 2: What’s your current understanding of UX and/or visual design principles?

For example, if you’re a complete beginner with no experience in the tech industry, you’ll want to look for a course or bootcamp that leans heavily on the fundamentals.

But if you’ve already worked as a graphic or visual designer, some UX design bootcamps and educational options will feel redundant. 

(If you’re curious, UX/UI Expert is the only UX design bootcamp made specifically for graphic designers.)

Question 3: Are you starting from scratch? Or are you ‘upskilling’ for your current job?

Many people–especially graphic designers–come to UX design because a manager (or job description) told them they needed to ‘learn UX’. 

This is a confusing and misleading statement as UX design is its own discipline. However, if you’re just looking to add an understanding of the basic UX process to your toolbox, you’ll be better suited to using online resources or taking a free UX course (like this one)

Question 4: What’s your budget?

Hands up if you like answering this question… no one? That’s what we thought. 

Talking about money can feel awkward. But there’s no denying that budget plays a huge role in deciding which path to take. University programs are expensive. But bootcamps can also be pricey. 

Question 5: How good are you at networking?

Like any job, UX design is as much about your network as your skills. It’s annoying (we know), especially when you’re just starting. 

However, one of the best and easiest ways to build your initial network is through the people you learn UX design with, whether this means your online bootcamp mentor and cohort or the people in your University program. 

Remote learning can be a great way to meet people if it’s your thing and you get involved. But don’t discount the value of in-person connections.

Question 6: Do you prefer guided or self-paced programs? 

You know your learning style better than anyone else. Do you need the accountability of a cohort-based bootcamp or university program? Or do you prefer to pick your pace and learn on your own? 

Question 7: How important is a UX design certificate to you?

Plenty of schools and bootcamps offer a certificate at the end of their programs. Do you need one to get a job? In our experience, no. But the choice is still yours. Again, be honest with yourself. 

Answering those questions will help you get a feel for which path you’re most drawn to. 

Now, let’s dig into each and help you make a final decision!

UX Design Bootcamp: Who they’re for, pros and cons, and best options

A UX design bootcamp is a short-term (2–7 months), intensive program that will teach you the essential elements of the UX process, help you build a UX portfolio of projects, and guide you towards landing your first job. 

When done right, UX design bootcamps are the happy medium between the frustrations of trying to learn yourself and spending years in a theory-heavy university program. 

Who should take a UX design bootcamp?

UX design bootcamps come in different formats, meaning there’s a bootcamp out there for you, no matter your situation. 

That being said, bootcamps are intense. You need to be prepared to spend a good deal of time working, learning, and connecting with your mentor and the people in your program.

Do take a UX design bootcamp if you:

  • Already have a basic understanding of UX design (from resources like a free course)
  • Can commit to at least 6–20 hours a week of coursework (plus time for mentorship and feedback sessions)
  • Are self-motivated and thrive in a remote learning environment
  • Place a high value on in-depth and guided education

Don’t take a UX design bootcamp if you:

  • Have struggled with online learning in the past or have issues with time management and procrastination
  • Won’t take advantage of extra mentorship, networking opportunities, or feedback sessions
  • Can’t afford it (unless you take a part-time course and continue working)

The pros and cons of taking a UX design bootcamp

After spending the last three years designing what we feel is one of the best UX design programs out there, we have a pretty keen understanding of the pros and cons:

Pros of taking a UX design bootcamp:

  • Speed. Bootcamps are 8X faster than getting a bachelor’s degree yet go into the same depth of content.
  • Cost. While still thousands of dollars, most bootcamps are about ⅙ the cost of a university degree.
  • Personalized mentorship. You get access to a practicing UX designer who will help guide your learning and your career.
  • Unique UX portfolio. You’ll leave a good bootcamp with a strong UX portfolio of projects you care about (and that will help get you hired!)
  • Community and networking. Your bootcamp cohort will become your initial network in the industry. If you’re an introvert or don’t like networking, this is the easiest way to start

Cons of taking a UX design bootcamp:

  • Intensity. Bootcamps pack a lot into a short timeframe. Be prepared for intense weeks and lots of work. If you get behind, it can be hard to catch up.
  • Lots of options to choose from. There are tons of bootcamps to consider, from week-long courses to 6 or 7-months programs. It’s easy to fall into analysis paralysis.
  • Pre-scripted projects look alike. The bigger bootcamps often use the same projects to teach you skills. While this helps you learn, it makes it impossible to stand out when you’re looking for a job after the bootcamp ends. 

The 2 best UX design bootcamps/programs

Here's the deal... It's hard for us to recommend many bootcamps because they're not setting up their students for success.

Bootcamp students end up creating generic portfolios that look just like everyone else's. Also, students end up working on group projects that hurt their ability to showcase what they can do. And, of course, they cost $8k+ and most students end up right where they began.

That's why we only have 2 recommendations:

The best UX design bootcamp for graphic designers is UX/UI Expert by Kickass UX (yes, that’s us!)

UX/UI Expert program

While many people say you don’t need a background in design to become a UX designer, we disagree when it comes to transitioning to UX through a bootcamp. 

Graphic, web, visual, and UI designers already understand how to make visually compelling products and are usually well-versed in design thinking (which is very similar to the UX process). 

By leaning into the skills designers already have, UX/UI Expert skips the redundant education so you can spend more time building practical skills and creating a custom UX portfolio.

You’ll learn alongside a community of peers, get access to mentors, and feedback on your work. 

So why take UX/UI Expert if you’re a graphic designer? We built the course for designers who are:

  • Tired of running into subjectivity (i.e., ‘I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel designed enough?’)
  • Want more ownership over products beyond just making things look ‘pretty’
  • Feeling stuck in their career and want to open up more job opportunities

The specifics:

  • Price: Starts at $124/month
  • What it is: Job-ready program & community
  • Mentorship: Direct access to industry professionals.
  • Link: UX/UI Expert

What students say: 

“That genuine interest in both the material and the student’s success... I don’t know if it exists elsewhere. I have not found it, and I looked really hard before finding you guys.”

“The passion came back even as a graphic designer. I was just in a rut and this program re-energized me. And it even lit a fire under me at my real job too.”

This program challenges the way that you think and it really makes you take a deeper look as to why you are designing what you’re designing. It also helped me communicate my ideas better and that’s powerful.

UX/UI Expert students


The best UX design bootcamp for people who AREN'T graphic designers is the Product Design Accelerator by The Craft

The Craft's Product Design Accelerator

We don't trust many bootcamps to set their students up for success... But we definitely trust Sera Tajima who runs The Craft! She has done an amazing job creating her Product Design Accelerator. You get expert mentorship and even a real apprenticeship with a startup.

The specifics:

Bootcampers beware: Why there’s (almost) no such thing as a ‘job guarantee’

You’ve probably seen some of the bootcamps above listing a job guarantee. WHAT??? You’re guaranteed a UX design job if you take this bootcamp? Sign me up!

Let’s hold on a second…

While these bootcamps do advertise job guarantees, the stipulations and requirements are so loaded with legal language that 99% of people are ineligible for them. 

Here’s just one example where you need to start applying to at least 5 jobs per week by your third week in the program (which is basically impossible as you don’t have a portfolio yet!) and go to two networking events a month to be eligible for the guarantee:

An example of the job guarantee

You can take a look at these requirements and decide for yourself:

While a job guarantee can sound exciting, these larger organizations mostly use them to reduce the mental barrier of making a big purchase. 

With UX/UI Expert, we offer something different. 

If you do the work, engage with your peers and us, and you don’t think you’ve improved as a UX designer in a year, we’ll refund the total cost + $200 out of our own pockets. You can read about our guarantee here.

Do UX design bootcamps work?

The short answer? Yes. With two caveats.

First, that you put in the work and engage with the program. 

UX design bootcamps are hard work. There’s a lot to learn in a short period of time. And if you’re not committed to keeping up with your coursework and taking advantage of mentorship, you won’t get the results you want.

Second, you need to set proper expectations. 

At the end of a UX design bootcamp, you should have a solid grasp of the six UX core disciplines and how they fit into the UX process. You’ll also have a portfolio of projects you worked on. However, at this point, you’re still a UX design toddler. 

The majority of your education will happen on the job. Don’t expect to jump from bootcamper to a senior UX designer at Netflix making $200k+ a year! 

Bootcamps give you a start. But you have to take yourself over the finish line.

Learning UX at university: Who it’s for, pros and cons, and best options

Now, let’s take a quick look at the other big choice for learning UX: University programs.

Both of us at Kickass UX have university degrees. Just not in UX design. 

That’s because, like many people, we went to university with an idea of what we wanted to do. But then quickly changed our minds once we realized the realities of those choices. For a long time, this was probably the most common background for a UX designer.

However, today, more and more universities offer programs that, while not called UX design, can help you become a UX designer.

Who should learn UX at a university?

Let’s get something big out of the way first. Most recruiters don’t expect a college degree in UX design to get a job as a UX designer. (The only exception being if you’re trying to become a UX researcher. But we’ll save that discussion for a different post.)

Instead, a university degree can help your career in some unexpected ways.


Do
take a UX-focused university course if you:

  • Work best in a structured learning environment
  • Aren’t 100% sure about UX design and want to take advantage of other complementary courses
  • Have the time and money to go through a 2- or 4-year program
  • Care deeply about having a degree from an accredited institution

Don’t take a UX-focused university course if you:

  • Can’t afford to not work full-time while learning
  • Want more practical education on UX design and a meaningful portfolio
  • Are looking to get a UX design job quickly
  • Aren’t as interested in theory-based learning

The pros and cons of learning UX at university or college

We’ll keep this short as the pros and cons of a UX university course should already be pretty clear. 

The biggest pros are that you’re getting an in-depth and structured education (although not directly in UX design). The most meaningful cons are that university programs are expensive, take a long time to complete, are theory-heavy, and don’t necessarily prepare you for a job in UX design. 

This last point is significant. While UX bootcamps are designed to get you quickly working, university programs aren’t as practically focused. According to a study from the University of Washington, 53% of college grads are either unemployed or working in a job that doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree.

3 University programs that can help you become a UX designer

This is by no means an exhaustive list of university courses. Instead, it’s just meant to give you an idea of what programs are available for UX designers looking to go to university. 


University of Washington

  • Program: Masters of Human-Computer interactions and Design (MHCID)
  • Duration: 11 months
  • Class size: ~33
  • Estimated tuition: $52,704

Carnegie Mellon

  • Program: Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI)
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Class size: ~60
  • Estimated tuition: $72,000

Northwestern University

  • Program: Master of Science, Engineering Design Innovation (EDI)
  • Duration: 15 months
  • Class size: ~20
  • Estimated tuition: $80,042

In most cases, UX or Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) programs are Masters degrees. This means you’ll start with a 2- or 4-year degree in something else like computer science, information technology, or even psychology.

Self-taught UX designers: Can you really learn UX on your own?

Not too long ago, the only way to learn UX was to do it yourself. And for many people, the DIY approach still works. 

However, it’s an uphill battle. 

Check out this video from chunbuns talking about how she got into UX without any experience or a design degree.

There are so many conflicting and confusing resources for beginner UX designers that even learning the basics can be frustrating. Plus, without the help of a mentor, structured learning, and practical projects, you can spend a ton of time thinking about UX design and not a lot actually doing it

Instead, we think self-education is best suited for the exploration phase. Read blogs, listen to podcasts, and use other resources (like our free UX design course!) Then, make your choice of which path you’d like to take.

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Whichever path you choose, your future looks great to us!

Picking a path to learn UX design can feel daunting. But once you do, the fun starts! 

UX is one of the best careers you can choose, and any education will help get you closer to that first job.

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