What degree do I need to become a user experience designer?

A Bachelor of Design majoring in Interface Design is the clearest route at Waikato, integrating user experience and user interface design with the coding skills the role depends on.

What makes Waikato's Interface Design major distinctive?

It's unique in New Zealand as a specialist design qualification that integrates design and computer science, so you graduate as a designer who can code, a genuinely rare combination.

Will I complete a real-world design project during my degree?

Yes. In your final year you'll complete an independent, self-directed design project, culminating in the Design Showcase alongside other graduating students each year.

Do I need existing design or coding experience to enrol?

No prior experience is required, though the major is built to take you from foundational design and coding skills through to a professional-level portfolio.

What facilities will I have access to during my degree?

You'll have 24-hour computer lab access with the latest design software, including several labs fully equipped with Mac computers used in professional design environments.

Can I specialise further after graduating?

Yes. A Master of Design lets you carry out a large-scale, research-supported design project tailored to a specific area of interest, and a PhD in Design is available for advanced research careers.

User experience designer career

Kaihoahoa wheako kaiwhakamahi

User experience designers design how products like websites and apps look and work, based on users' needs. They do market research and user tests, analyse trends and improve designs based on users’ feedback.

$85,000 – $145,000 per year

UX designer, UX developer, UX/UI designer, UI designer, experience designer

Where our data comes from

What would you do as an User experience designer?

User experience designers

usually work regular business hours but may work extra hours
usually work in offices and may travel locally to visit clients
need to be creative, identify and solve problems and communicate well

Tasks

design websites and apps
plan website and app navigation
test website designs
create design drafts
work with developers and writers
talk to clients and users about needs
research design ideas

How can you become an User experience designer?

You usually need a qualification to become a user experience designer and experience may be useful.

You may need

a relevant tertiary qualification in communication and media, graphics and design studies, computer science or similar area
a Master of User Experience Design
a portfolio of user experience design work
experience in similar work

If you're in school

You usually need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job.

Study an Interface Design major in our Bachelor of Design, where you'll learn to design digital experiences that are easy and enjoyable to use, from websites to apps. Like all our undergraduate degrees, it includes work-integrated learning, and you'll build a portfolio of work to show future employers.

You can take your practice further with our Master of Design, or move into research through a PhD in Design.

BDes

User experience designer FAQs

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to help with the cost of studying at Waikato. Options are available across a wide range of subjects and study levels, including scholarships for new students, current students and specific areas of study.

Find a scholarship

QS ranking

QS World University Rankings 2027

Waikato is ranked equal 293rd globally, placing us in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide, and 2nd in New Zealand by citations per faculty.

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User experience designer career