UX Designer
Also advertised as: Interaction Designer, Junior UX Designer, Product Designer, Service Designer, UI Designer, UX Designer
Researches how people use a product and designs interfaces that work for them.
What the job involves
UX designers make software understandable. You research users, map journeys, prototype screens, test with real people and work with developers to ship the result. Portfolio quality decides hiring far more than qualifications.
Typical responsibilities
- Research user needs and pain points
- Map journeys and information architecture
- Design wireframes and prototypes
- Run usability testing
- Work with developers through delivery
Common employers
- Digital agencies
- Government Digital Service
- Banks
- SaaS companies
- Retailers
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£27,000 – £34,000 a year
With experience
£45,000 – £65,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours
Working environment
Office or remote
Remote working
remote
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- User research
- Prototyping in Figma
- Interaction design
- Usability testing
- Accessibility
Transferable skills you may already have
- Understanding customer frustrations
- Visual or creative work
- Explaining ideas clearly
Requirements employers ask for
- User research
- Prototyping in Figma
- Interaction design
- Usability testing
- Accessibility
- No formal qualification required; portfolio expected
Useful but not essential
- Understanding customer frustrations
- Visual or creative work
- Explaining ideas clearly
- Interaction Design Foundation courses
- Level 6 digital user experience apprenticeship
Helpful qualifications
- Interaction Design Foundation courses
- Level 6 digital user experience apprenticeship
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Digital User Experience Professional (Level 6)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Design
- Related subject: Psychology
- Related subject: Computing
- Related subject: Media
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Product Designer
next
Design Lead
next
Head of Design
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Portfolio-led hiring
- Creative and analytical mix
- Strong remote availability
What people find hard
- Competitive junior market
- Designs are often compromised by delivery constraints
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a ux designer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a ux designer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £27,000 to £34,000 a year, rising towards £65,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Understanding customer frustrations, Visual or creative work, Explaining ideas clearly.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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