User research skills are in high demand—and that demand is steadily growing.
Global job site Indeed reports that there’s now one UX researcher job posted for every three UX design jobs, compared to just one UX researcher role for every ten UX jobs a decade ago.
And it’s not only specialist UX researchers who need research skills. With the rise of AI and an increasing focus on human-centred design, designers must hone their ability to strategize, problem-solve, and make research-driven decisions.
A UX research course is a great way to update your skill set and navigate the twists and turns of the design industry—but with more and more courses popping up on the market, it’s important to make sure you’re spending your time and money wisely.
In this guide, we show you what to look for in a UX research course. By the end, you’ll know how to separate the good courses from the great ones—and identify the courses that make sense for you.
Why take a UX research course?
Whether you’re an aspiring UX researcher looking to specialise, or a designer wanting to improve your research skills—a UX/user research course can help you advance in your career and keep your skill set up-to-date.
Before we show you what to look for when choosing a UX research course, let’s first consider why you’d want to take one in the first place.
Learn in-demand, industry-relevant skills
UX research is fast becoming one of the most in-demand skills within the design industry. If you consider the top UX design trends shaping the field right now, you’ll find that research and strategy are repeatedly named the hottest UX skills for the future.
In their State of UX in 2024 report, Fabricio Teixeira and Caio Braga of the UX Collective state that “while UI processes tend to become more automated, skills such as UX research and UX strategy will become more critical than ever.”
As AI increasingly highlights the difference between automatable tasks and inherently human skills, the importance of user research will only grow.
Both designers and specialist researchers alike will need to be more confident than ever in their ability to think strategically, cultivate empathy, and problem-solve for the user—all of which you’ll learn with a UX research course.
Keep your skills up-to-date
You might already be well-versed in user research, especially if you’ve been working in the UX industry for a while. But, just like any other design discipline, UX research is continuously changing and evolving.
Especially with the rise of AI, designers and researchers must consider new challenges—such as how to leverage AI tools within the research process while continuing to safeguard research participants and comply with user research ethics.
A UX research course will help you update your skills and knowledge, making sure you’re well-versed in the latest tools, methodologies, and best practices.
Stand out in the job market
Honing your UX research skills and obtaining a professional certification may give you a competitive edge in the job market.
In a survey of over 500 industry professionals and hiring managers, the UX Design Institute found that the majority of UX hiring managers (77%) look for a UX-specific qualification when hiring entry-level candidates. Just over half (52%) would look for a certificate or diploma—as obtained through a credible UX research course.
Even if you’re not an entry-level candidate, a UX research course demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning—and that’s something that employers value highly.
Benefit from a structured, expert-led curriculum
A professional UX research course gives you a clear structure to follow, ensuring that you learn the most relevant techniques, methodologies, and skills in a logical order.
At the same time, the best courses will connect you with industry experts who can guide you along the way and make sure you’re getting the most out of the curriculum.
If you’re serious about honing your UX research skills, a course offers many benefits—but not all UX research courses are created equal. Before you sign up, you want to make sure that the curriculum is up-to-date and covers all the most relevant skills.
With that, let’s outline the key topics and concepts you’ll want to look for when choosing a UX research course.
What should you expect to learn on a UX research course?
A good UX research course teaches a mixture of hard and soft skills, with a combination of theory and hands-on practice. The curriculum should cover:
- The role of a UX researcher and where research fits into the overall product design process
- How to plan effective research studies—from collaborating with stakeholders and choosing appropriate methodologies, to recruiting participants and managing research data
- The difference between quantitative and qualitative user research
- Specific research methods such as how to conduct effective user interviews, user surveys, and ethnography (to name a few)
- How to analyse your research data, communicate your findings with key stakeholders, and turn them into actionable insights that can inform the design process
- The role of AI, including how to use AI-powered tools for UX research and how to navigate the ethical challenges of AI
- A practical component such as hands-on tasks, exercises, and/or projects
What to look for in a UX research course in 2024: The 7 most important factors
Search for UX research courses and you’ll find countless options. So how do you know which ones are actually worth your time and money?
Here are the most important factors to look for when choosing a UX research course.
1. A practical component
There’s a huge difference between simply absorbing theoretical content and actually practising what you learn. In a hands-on field like UX research, it’s absolutely essential that you’re able to apply your skills in a practical manner.
When choosing a UX research course, make sure the curriculum includes a practical component. Interactive quizzes, short exercises at the end of each module, or a full-blown portfolio project—anything that has you applying what you’ve learned.
This is not only essential for building your confidence to conduct user research in a real-world setting. This hands-on experience will also help you to create your UX research portfolio and demonstrate your skills to employers.
2. A good balance between flexibility and structure
There’s no need to be in a classroom or online at specific times, and nor do you need to commit to a full-time schedule. The most effective UX research courses balance flexibility and structure, giving you the best of both worlds.
Look for a course that offers flexible or self-paced learning while also holding you accountable through regular deadlines. This gives you the freedom to learn at your own pace without leaving you completely to your own devices. A recipe for success!
3. Industry-relevant, up-to-date content
You want to be sure that your chosen course is teaching skills and practices that make sense in the current job market, so look for signs that the course has been written or updated recently—and that it’s created in collaboration with industry experts.
AI is a great example of this. If a UX research course doesn’t explore the role of AI, it’s either very out of date or it’s neglecting a hugely relevant topic—neither of which bodes well for the quality and relevance of the curriculum.
Credit ratings can also be a good indicator that a UX research course is up to date. If a course is university credit-rated, it’s subject to regular reviews conducted by an external body. So, if the credit rating is current, you know the curriculum has been recently vetted and approved.
4. Expert guidance and support
Most UX research courses are offered online, but that doesn’t mean you have to forego human support. Having access to mentors, tutors, career advisors, and other industry experts can make all the difference to your learning experience.
Look for a course that contains a human element, whether it’s regular calls with a mentor, personalised feedback from an industry expert, or optional check-ins. You want to make sure that you can ask for support and guidance when you need it—and that you’re not relying solely on the course materials to learn about the field.
5. A strong community
The quality of your learning experience doesn’t just depend on the curriculum. If a UX research course comes with a strong community of fellow learners, this is a great sign that you’re onto a good thing.
Look for a UX research course that fosters a sense of community and connection, even if most of the actual learning takes place independently. Many course providers host workshops or networking events, for example, or run a student Slack channel.
A large and active community of students and alumni offers opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange, camaraderie, and networking. This serves as a great source of motivation throughout the course—and may open doors for your career in the future.
6. Positive reviews and legitimate alumni testimonials
You probably wouldn’t make a big purchase without reading some reviews first, and the same goes for choosing a UX research course. Even if all the signs are pointing in the right direction, make sure the course is regarded highly among previous students.
Look for genuine alumni reviews, testimonials, and success stories—especially recent ones that can speak to the relevance of the course right now. You want to see evidence that the course does what it promises, and that it’s proven valuable for people in a similar position to you.
7. An industry-recognised provider
We mentioned earlier that many UX hiring managers look for a relevant qualification—and it’s better if that qualification comes from a well-respected institution.
When choosing a UX research course, look for signs that the course provider is credible and recognised within the industry.
Do they publish expert insights and demonstrate thought leadership beyond the course? Are they well-connected in terms of industry partnerships and collaborations? Are they a specialised UX provider rather than a generic tech bootcamp?
All of these things—in combination with the other factors we’ve outlined—point to a reputable institution and a quality learning experience.
How to choose the right UX research course for you
We know what makes for a good UX research course—but, once you’ve narrowed it down to only the top-quality options, how do you choose the right course for you? Follow these steps.
1. Identify your goals and objectives
First and foremost, define your personal goals and objectives. Why are you taking a UX research course? What are your desired outcomes?
If you’re looking to specialise in the field and land your first job as a UX researcher, you’ll want to find a course that includes job market support. If you’re already working in the design industry and just want to add another string to your bow, career guidance might not be such an important factor.
Think about what the course should help you to achieve and identify the most suitable options accordingly.
2. Factor in your experience level and starting point
Some UX research courses are beginner-friendly, designed for industry newcomers who want to break into the field. Others are created with professionals in mind, assuming a certain degree of existing knowledge.
As such, you want to choose a course that matches your current experience and skill level.
If you’re new to UX, prioritise courses that cover the fundamentals. If you’re already an experienced designer, look for a more advanced course that can take you straight to the specifics of UX research.
3. Consider your preferred learning format
UX research courses can vary greatly in terms of how they’re taught. From live, interactive classes to on-demand video, from text-only content to discussion forums—no two courses are the same.
When choosing a UX research course, think about how you like to learn and which formats you find most engaging and effective. Do you prefer to study independently and read in your own time? Or do you thrive in a collaborative classroom environment?
Explore how different providers approach the learning experience, and prioritise those courses that most closely align with your preferred format.
4. Determine your budget
Money is inevitably an important factor when choosing a UX research course, and setting your budget will help you narrow down your options.
Determine how much you’re willing and able to spend on a UX research course, and look into what kind of payment plans and financing options are available. Some course providers allow you to pay in monthly instalments, for example.
5. Think about your schedule
Last but not least, consider the practical matter of when and how often you’ll study.
If you’re working and juggling other commitments, you’ll want a flexible course that fits around your schedule. If you’ve got more time on your hands, you might prefer a more intensive, full-time course.
It’s all about finding a UX research course that aligns with your goals, fits within your budget, and feels realistic in terms of the time and effort required. With all of those factors together, you should hopefully be one step closer to finding the right course for you.
Obtain your Professional Certificate in User Research with the UX Design Institute
If you’re looking for a flexible, industry-relevant UX research course, consider the Professional Certificate in User Research taught by the UX Design Institute.
Spanning 16 weeks (with 3 hours of study per week), the course is delivered entirely online. You’ll learn flexibly at your own pace, with monthly deadlines to keep you on track.
Here’s what you can expect from the course at a glance:
- An industry-relevant, up-to-date curriculum that reflects the current demands of the job market—including a dedicated module on AI for user research
- A university credit-rated qualification, with all course content vetted and approved by Glasgow Caledonian University
- Hands-on projects to help you practise what you’ve learned
- Live support from expert mentors, career advisors, and an active student community
- An official certification in user research, issued by a reputable and specialised UX education provider
If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to study with the UX Design Institute, read what former students have to say: UX Design Institute reviews: Hear from our students.
Takeaways and next steps
User research skills are in high demand, and a good quality UX research course will help you keep your skills up-to-date, excel in your current role, and stand out in the UX job market. It will also equip you to navigate the latest industry trends, including the rise of AI.
When choosing a UX research course, look for a recent and relevant curriculum, a mixture of theory and hands-on practice, expert guidance and support, and a strong student community. At the same time, make sure that your chosen course aligns with your personal goals, learning preferences, budget, and schedule.
Not quite ready to sign up for a course? Learn more about the industry with these guides:
- How to find UX researcher jobs in 2024
- 3 Real-world UX case studies from Google, Airbnb, and Spotify—and what we can learn from them
- A day in the life of a UX Research Manager with Google’s Dr. Stephen Hassard
Emily is a professional writer and content strategist with an MSc in Psychology. She has 8+ years of experience in the tech industry, with a focus on UX and design thinking. A regular contributor to top design publications, she also authored a chapter in The UX Careers Handbook. Emily also holds a BA in French and German and is passionate about languages and continuous learning.
