With college enrollment numbers steadily declining over the past decade, it’s no wonder bootcamps have emerged as a sought-after alternative to getting a college degree, especially for career changers that need some more education in a new field but don’t want to go back to school. 

User experience (UX) design bootcamps have become a popular option for fledgling web designers looking to expand their skills from the ground up. These relatively concise programs cost less than a college education and have all the perks of online schooling, while still imparting all the need-to-know skills to get started in the UX design field.  

Discover UX design bootcamps for you

What are online UX design bootcamps?  

Bootcamps are alternative education programs that teach students the baseline knowledge and skills needed to break into a specific profession, typically one in the tech industry. One of the most popular bootcamp offerings is UX design, where students learn how to use various design tools to create websites, applications and other software that is both visually appealing and easy to use.  

Most UX design bootcamps are open to people of all backgrounds and experience levels, meaning they can be a great option for people that want to start a career in UX design but who don’t necessarily want to get a college degree. Some bootcamps are geared towards more experienced professionals, but these are less common.  

Bootcamp providers—which include colleges and universities as well as independent organizations like training companies and academies—often offer their course in one of two formats: full time or part time. Full-time programs are more intensive and are meant for students that can devote a lot of their time to the program (typically 40+ hours per week). As such, they take less time to complete, usually somewhere between 10 and 20 weeks.  

Part-time programs are designed for students with tighter schedules and commitments, like an existing job or even being in school to get a concurrent degree. Online class may only occur a few days per week. Because of this, part-time programs usually last between 20-40 weeks long.  

Most UX design bootcamps are open to people of all backgrounds and experience levels, meaning they can be a great option for people that want to start a career in UX design but who don’t necessarily want to get a college degree.

The benefits of attending an online bootcamp

With their unique approach and structure to online education, bootcamps have a range of advantages that have propelled them into the mainstream since the first coding bootcamp launched in 2011: 

• A shorter program length compared to an associate or bachelor’s degree means you can graduate and enter the workforce faster. 
• Bootcamps can cost significantly less than a college degree, with most costing around $10,000 to $20,000 total compared to the average annual cost of an undergraduate education ($38,270 per year according to the Education Data Initiative).  
• Full-time and part-time options give students the flexibility to either complete their program quickly or take their time as they juggle other commitments like another job. 
• Bootcamps teach students exactly what they need to get started in their field, without all the extra classes that you need to take throughout most undergraduate programs.

Drawbacks

Despite their many benefits, online bootcamps aren’t perfect. They may not be the best option for all learners, so it’s important to weigh some of their drawbacks before coming to a final decision about enrolling: 

• Some employers may still simply prefer or require job applicants to have a college degree, so attending a bootcamp instead of college could somewhat limit your job prospects.  
• If you’re someone who thrives on face-to-face interaction and learns better in an in-person environment, an online education program may prove more difficult for you.  
• UX design bootcamps prepare you for a very specific industry and the jobs within it. You’ll want to be sure it’s the industry you wish to work in, since it doesn’t really have the same degree of versatility that a college degree does. It would likely be a little more difficult to pivot career choices with a bootcamp education.  

The bootcamp experience and what you’ll learn  

Each UX design bootcamp is going to have its own unique goals and objectives for its students, but in general, they are going to cover most of the same topics so you’re ready to dive into the field of digital design:

• Visual design theory, color theory 
• Using design tools like Sketch, Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite 
• Design sprints 
• Sketching, wireframing and prototyping 
• Conducting design research 
• Empathy mapping 
• User interface and app design 
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and its relevance to UX design 
• Professional development

In a UX design bootcamp, you can expect to complete several individual and group projects throughout the course, including at least one larger final project often called a capstone. This might be designing an app from start to finish, solving a specific business problem or something else. 

All of these projects are then compiled into a portfolio which you can show to future employers to demonstrate what you already know, and which you can continue to add to throughout your professional career.  

Find your UX design bootcamp today

How much does it cost? 

The cost of an online bootcamp can vary widely, with most costing about $10,000 to $20,000 total. One analysis stated that the average tuition of all tech bootcamps is $12,953. Beyond tuition alone, you may also have to pay some additional fees or upgrade your computer equipment if it doesn’t meet the bootcamp’s minimum system requirements.  

In addition, a UX design bootcamp may need you to purchase licenses and/or subscriptions to various design software like Figma, Sketch or the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.). You may receive free access to these software programs while enrolled in the bootcamp, but you’ll most likely need to purchase them anyway to use throughout your career.  

In terms of paying for your education, most bootcamps provide several options including paying up front in full or paying according to an interest-free payment plan, such as month-to-month. A lot of bootcamp providers (especially independent organizations) also offer low-interest student loans through private loan companies like Climb, EdAid or Ascent. Others may even offer Income Share Agreements (ISAs), where you only start to pay for your education after you’ve secured a job and then start to pay back a percentage of your new income until the bootcamp has been paid off, though these are less common.   

How to choose a bootcamp for you 

There are many different factors you could consider as you search for the best online bootcamp for you, but these can help get you started:

Possible career paths

UX design bootcamps can prepare students for a number of design roles in the tech industry. Becoming a UX/UI designer may be the most obvious path, but there are several similar job titles you may qualify for or advance to, such as: 

• Product designer 
• UX architect 
• Interactive designer 
• Product manager 
• UX writer

Final say

Whether you’re a web designer just starting out, someone hoping to make a career change or even someone that already has some experience in the field, attending an online UX design bootcamp could launch your career to new heights. Plus, flexible scheduling options make it possible to complete a bootcamp while juggling other commitments, so you don’t have to put your life entirely on hold to get the education you need.  

With minimal admissions requirements, you’re probably already eligible for admission to a range of online UX design bootcamps. Start searching for programs today to learn more about what they could do for your design career. 

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