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UX/UI Designer

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A UX/UI Designer is responsible for designing the way digital products such as websites and mobile apps look and feel, as well as how users interact with them. UX stands for User Experience, which focuses on making products easy and enjoyable to use, while UI stands for User Interface, which deals with the visual elements like buttons, colours, and layouts. In this role, you might conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, collaborate with developers, and test designs with real users to ensure everything works smoothly. This career is ideal for creative individuals who enjoy problem-solving and are interested in technology.

UX/UI Designer

📊 Statistics

Average salary

The average salary for a UX/UI Designer in the UK is between £28,000 and £50,000 per year, with senior roles earning up to £70,000 or more.

Job availability

There are over 5,000 UX/UI Designer positions advertised in the UK each year, particularly in cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.

Industry growth

The demand for UX/UI Designers in the UK is expected to grow by around 13 percent over the next five years due to the rise in digital products and services.

🚀 Careers in this path

Build Essential Skills and Knowledge

Learn the Basics of Design Principles

Study fundamental design concepts such as colour theory, typography, layout and visual hierarchy.

Strong foundational knowledge of design principles is crucial for creating attractive and effective user interfaces. You can start with free online resources, design books or short online courses. Understanding these basics will help you create designs that are both visually appealing and functional.

Get Familiar with UX/UI Tools

Practise using industry-standard tools like Figma, Adobe XD or Sketch for designing and prototyping.

Most UX/UI designers use digital tools for wireframing, prototyping and designing user interfaces. Free versions or trials are available for many of these, and there are numerous tutorials online to help you get started. Experiment with creating your own sample projects to build confidence.

Understand User-Centred Design

Learn about user-research, personas, journey mapping and usability testing.

UX/UI design is all about the end user. Techniques like user interviews, surveys, and creating personas help you understand what users need and want from a product. Practise by conducting simple research with friends or family and mapping out their experiences with everyday digital products.

Develop Practical Experience

Create a Portfolio

Design and document your own projects to showcase your skills to potential employers.

A portfolio is essential for UX/UI roles. Include case studies that show your process from research to final design, even if they are personal or practice projects. Use platforms like Behance or your own website to present your work professionally.

Work on Real-World Projects

Gain experience through internships, freelance work, volunteering or collaborating on open source projects.

Look for opportunities to design for charities, student organisations or small businesses. Even unpaid projects can build your experience and provide work to add to your portfolio. Participating in design challenges or hackathons is another great way to practise and get feedback.

Pursue Professional Opportunities

Network in the Industry

Connect with other designers and professionals through events, online communities and social media.

Networking can help you learn about industry trends and job vacancies, and get advice from experienced designers. Join groups on LinkedIn, attend meetups or webinars, and participate in online forums such as UX Stack Exchange or Reddit’s r/userexperience.

Apply for UX/UI Roles

Search and apply for entry-level designer roles, internships or graduate schemes.

Tailor your CV and portfolio for each application, highlighting relevant skills and experience. Be prepared to discuss your process and past projects in interviews. Look for roles such as Junior UX Designer, UI Designer or Digital Designer as starting points.

Continue Learning and Specialising

Keep up to date with new tools, trends and best practices through courses and professional development.

UX/UI design is a fast-moving field, so continuous learning is vital. Consider advanced courses, certifications or even a university degree in design or a related field if you want to specialise further. Over time, you can focus on areas such as user research, interaction design or motion design.

Available Apprenticeships

Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.

Click on any card to be redirected to their vacancy page.

Apprentice IT Support Technician

FRANK H DALE LTD

( Added 23 Sep 2024 - 1 position available )

This is an exciting opportunity to represent Frank H. Dale, a major structural steel fabricator that was founded in 1932 in the Herefordshire market town of Leominster.

Closing date: in 3 days

Possible start date: 27 Oct 2025

Apprentice Service Desk Operator (IT)

LANYON BOWDLER LLP

( Added 30 Apr 2025 - 1 position available )

This is an exciting opportunity to represent Lanyon Bowdler Law Firm, who are consistently recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers UK, and strive to create a happy and supportive working environment.

Closing date: in 3 days

Possible start date: 27 Oct 2025

Apprentice Digital Support Technician - REF 14822

P3 COMPUTER SERVICES LIMITED

( Added 22 May 2025 - 1 position available )

P3 Computer Services Ltd in Burnley are recruiting for an Apprentice Digital Support Technician. The successful candidate will work towards completing a Level 3 Digital Support Technician apprenticeship over the duration of 18 months.

Closing date: in 1 month

Possible start date: 29 Nov 2025

Network Cable Installer Apprentice

FMS DATA CABLING LTD

( Added 07 Jul 2025 - 2 positions available )

VQ Solutions are looking for a hardworking, determined individual to join the growing team at FMS as a Network Cable Installer. FMS have an excellent track record of training and progressing their apprentices. You will work and train on-site with their time-served engineers on national projects throughout the UK.

Closing date: in 10 days

Possible start date: 27 Oct 2025

IT Support Apprentice

HEYGATES LIMITED

( Added 29 Jul 2025 - 1 position available )

A fantastic opportunity has become available for an IT support trainee to join the team, reporting to the Head of IT. This new and challenging role will give the opportunity to work with a wide range of enterprise technologies and potential to travel to other sites in the UK. An exciting and varied role.

Closing date: in 2 months

Possible start date: 13 Dec 2025

IT Support Engineer Apprentice

BUBBLE IT SOLUTIONS LTD

( Added 12 Aug 2025 - 1 position available )

As an IT Support Engineer Apprentice at Bubble IT, you’ll be the first point of contact for customers needing technical help. You’ll gain hands-on experience resolving a range of IT issues and developing your knowledge across hardware, software, and network support.

Closing date: in 20 days

Possible start date: 10 Nov 2025

IT Apprentice

BV Dairy

( Added 27 Aug 2025 - 1 position available )

First line business support, onsite, resolving issues such as forgotten passwords, connection and printing issues, and general problem identification. Covering customer service, system maintenance, and security, preparing you for more complex technical support roles.

Closing date: in 17 days

Possible start date: 03 Nov 2025

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

A UX/UI Designer primarily focuses on enhancing user experience and interface design, which aligns closely with the role of a User experience (UX) designer. Both roles involve understanding user needs, creating intuitive designs, and improving overall interaction with digital products, making them the most similar in terms of qualifications.

How to become

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.

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