UX Design Bootcamp vs Design Degree! Which One Should You Choose?

UX Bootcamp vs Design Degree? Which one is the BEST option for an aspiring UX Designer? It’s a tricky question, and there is a lot of conflicting information out there, so how can you make an informed decision? By watching our video, of course!

In this video we’ll guide you through the PROS and CONS of each option and give you solid advice on how to find the option that’s the right one for YOU.

🤔How did you learn UX Design? Which of these two options would you recommend? Let us know in the comments! 🌎

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UX Design Bootcamp vs Design Degree! Which One Should You Choose?

[AJSmart]

UX Bootcamp vs Design Degree! Which one do you recommend? Let us know in the comments!👇

[aditya.mankare]

I feel regardless of what you choose, self-learning is the most important. Especially considering the rapidly changing field and the competition in the job market.

[kimtendo]

I have a 4 year BSc in Interactive Design plus a 15 year career in UX in London and now Silicon Valley. From my perspective, I learnt a lot about theory of design, introduction to computing, statistics and HCI from university but I learnt the most from working as an intern after education and from self learning to keep up with constantly evolving trends to progress my career to senior levels. When I am hiring designers the first thing I am looking at is the quality of their work, skills and how they present. Where you got your skills from is not as important, we have UX design directors who do not have degrees. However, if you want the experience of university I would do it as it was a great time in my life.

[fernastyi]

Whether it's bootcamp or degree, choose the shortest course and than start seeking a job. After one year go for degree : you will have some money and in the 4 years you will get paid a lot for your experience

[MisyeDiVre]

It sounds like if an HR rep is in charge of the hiring, a degree will be important, but if a designer is in charge, than your portfolio will be more important.

[imperiaeternus]

I just graduated from a bootcamp. Being on the job hunt and seeing requirements for design degrees or getting immediate rejections due to lack of experience gave rise to some serious “imposter syndrome”, but this video was really helpful in confirming that it’s really about the skills. Thank you!

[whalelam]

I think it really depends on how far you want your UX career to go. If you want to work for the big tech companies in Silicon Valley, then a HCI masters degree is recommended because you will be competing with people who even have PhD in HCI. If you are happy working for small tech companies, then bootcamp maybe a better option.

[samtupy]

(0:43) the broccoli in the forest sold me.

[stokedonspokes]

For what it’s worth, we have a handful of bootcamp graduates in my Design degree program because they can’t find jobs with just the bootcamp. This is in San Francisco

[aceadewaleedits]

I started my UX bootcamp this week and I can already tell that if you can't keep up, you'll likely fall behind super fast.. Definitely much different from a traditional experience.

[aleksandrap]

Was hoping to here "it depends" and voila! I finished the bootcamp, no regrets

[davidnorthrop]

I feel if you are opting out of colleges all together a boot camp is the way to go. I for one got my bachelors of science in graphic design and my masters in UX/UI. I came out really understanding design and having a firm grip of what design is and how to use that to create the designs I have to on a daily basis.

[jeronimosanchez]

I am currently doing my first year degree in graphic design at the uni, and a couple of months ago I got to know the world of ux / ui and I loved it. Now I am thinking of doing an introductory course at the Interacion design foundation at the beginning of this year to train myself, although the web is full of education too, I don't know how to organize it. Thanks for the video, I really like what you do.

[christinegivens]

Amazing! I think with 20+ years as a suit in an agency, bootcamp will be for me. Thanks for the great content. Already taken your Masterclass and it was epic. Future is bright. 😀

[samtupy]

I’m starting a bootcamp in February! So excited.

[kristenlee]

Helpful video for the UX Bootcamp side of the house, thank you.

Based on my research (as a Canadian mature student), for the reasons noted in your video regarding the cons of Universities, I didn't consider a degree as an option. However, prior to looking into Bootcamps, I was researching colleges (FT + PT Programs) - I thought I would mention colleges here since I feel they are a closer comparison. What I found was that most colleges with UX Design programs often DO include portfolio development and a lot also include internship terms. Surprisingly though, for such a techy field, a larrrge number of colleges (in Canada) don't offer online delivery. The colleges that do offer online often span 1-2 years and I've found are anywhere from $6000-$12000 CAD.

All that said, I am unsure if I'm leaning more towards the Bootcamp option for the flexibility, portfolio, and the 100% online delivery, or the college option for the Diploma, portfolio, internship, and structured learning. I require remote education with my living situation so online is a must for me. My decision will be based on how the very few online college programs stack-up to what Bootcamps offer.

[alinadoring]

Great Video!
My university degree combines design and engineering. I really like that we get an understanding of both sites there and that we can decide what we want to focus on. So a disadvantage I see is that in some design courses we study all together there are people that are more interested in engineering which makes it a bit difficult getting everyone on the same track.

However I‘m glad I chose this path 🙌🏼

[David-bcnj]

I have a psych bachelors and just started careerfoundry’s ux bootcamp!

[uriafassina]

Always feel sorry for people who are drowning in student debit. I spent 10+ ys at the universities in Brazil without expending any money on tuition. Education is a right, not a commodity.

[MikeDeng]

I've self taught myself, and got many UX design positions (including UNICEF, and many other firms), but now I'm at a bachelors program.

It's definitely a lot more efficient and effective at a degree. (I was previously a computer science and cognitive science student, but they had no UX design classes.)