User Experience (UX) Design Certificate

UX design education for everyone.

Unlock your potential at Canada’s #1 school for art + design.

Ready to jump into the world of UX design? Whether you’re learning on campus or remotely, ECU’s full-time, 8-month-long intensive program will help you become a confident UX designer. You’ll gain the skills to tackle real-world challenges and create digital experiences that are intuitive, user-friendly and in high demand.

Earn a university-level education in just 8 months

Certificate program

Full-time

Online + in-person

1:16 class ratio

Application closes on February 5 for the April 2025 cohort


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How ECU’s UX Design Certificate Program is Designed For You

Crafted with industry experts, this program covers the latest trends and innovations in UX design. With small class sizes and hands-on learning, you’ll get the chance to learn directly from UX leaders, receiving support every step of the way.

  • World-Class Education: Learn from industry-leading experts and gain skills that are recognized by top employers.
  • Quick Career Launch: Graduate in just 8 months and enter the job market fast.
  • Flexible Learning Options: Study on-campus or online—choose the format that best fits your life and schedule.
  • Competitive Tuition: The ECU UX Design Certificate offers you a cost-effective path to a rewarding career—at a price that’s lower than many bootcamp alternatives.
  • Personalized Learning: Benefit from small class sizes and direct feedback from industry-leading instructors.

Admissions

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We are excited for you to apply! With a limited number of seats available, applicants are encouraged to apply early to secure a spot.

International Students

Applications for study permits may take up to 12 months. International applicants (including those with visitor visas, current study permits, or work permits) must apply by the early deadline.

For a step-by-step application guide, view our Student Application Guide in the Program Handbook.

April 2025 Cohort

  • Early Application Deadline – November 15, 2025
  • International Application Deadline – November 15, 2025
  • *EXTENDED* Application Deadline – February 5, 2025

September 2025 Cohort

  • Early Application Deadline - April 15, 2025
  • International Application Deadline - April 15, 2025
  • Final Application Deadline - June 15, 2025

What Will You Learn:

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The curriculum offers a balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, equipping you with the skills and confidence to enter the UX design field. You will work on real-world case studies and projects reflecting current industry trends, along with topics like inclusive and accessible design, and emerging technologies like AI-powered design.

Term 1

User Research PrototypingUser
Interaction Design
Product
Design
Strategy
Responsive Design

Term 2

Data Driven Design Business of Design UX Futures
Interaction + Motion Design
Team Projects

"The industry is changing constantly, but because our program is changing to mirror that evolution, students receive the direction they need to be qualified and capable.”

— Pauline Lai, Instructor

Student Projects

Gain hands-on industry experience before you graduate.

Students will dive deep into real-world case studies that prepare them with knowledge to make an impact in exciting fields like finance, education and healthcare.

By the end of the program, you’ll have a professional portfolio that showcases your ability to design impactful user experiences. You’ll also graduate with a diverse skill set that meets the needs of employers in various industries.

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ECU UX Design Certificate students, Desirée Chek and Alina Danilyuk.

During their studies, UX Design Certificate students Desirée Chek and Alina Danilyuk were finalists in a recent week-long Adobe Creative Jam hackathon, held in partnership with the New York Times. The competition, which brought together teams from across Canada, the US, and the UK, tasked participants with designing an app to improve media literacy.

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Chek and Danilyuk’s prototype, Newsfluent, earned them fifth place out of 315 teams. The app features an algorithm that fact-checks news sources and enables users to share reliable, trustworthy information.


Alumni Stories

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"Elsewhere with Apple," mockups by Alina Danilyuk.

Our alumni are making waves in the industry in the healthcare, tech, and non-profit sector.

Alina Danilyuk, an ECU UX Design alum, won the Public Choice Award at the UX Design Awards in Berlin for her project "Elsewhere with Apple," a speculative iPhone app that gently brings users out of endless scrolling and back into the present without framing their phone as the enemy. She’s one of many ECU graduates who have gone on to shape the future of UX Design. Read more here.


Campus + Community

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What will you create here?

Step into our beautiful state-of-the-art campus, home to ECU’s vibrant and close-knit community. Whether you're making friends by joining clubs, or attending industry events, you'll form life-long connections with peers and industry luminaries. Immerse yourself in this nurturing, collaborative environment, and let your imagination flourish with us.

“At ECU, you’ll join a supportive community that welcomes learners at different stages of their educational and professional paths, where unique experiences are enriched and knowledge is expanded through collaboration.”

— Ridzwan Aziz, Director of Continuing Studies at ECU

Living in Vancouver

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ECU’s campus is located in the eclectic and vibrant neighborhood of Mount Pleasant, popular among a diversity of people, including young creatives.

Within walking distance from ECU, you’ll find great study spots, shopping, trendy places to eat, and endless fun things to do.


Join a Vibrant Network of Professionals

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As an ECU graduate, you’ll be part of a vibrant alumni community, gaining access to mentoring opportunities and a strong professional network that will support your career for years to come.

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Jessica Courtney Designs with You in Mind

The user-experience (UX) designer and UX Design Certificate program grad has been working at a relentless pace since she dove into the program.

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UX Design Certificate Students Earn Award for Financial Literacy App

Sydney Batters, Carmen Tin, Diana Tu and Jancis Wong took home Best UI/UX Design for their app, Pygg, which was designed and prototyped in less than 48 hours.

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Desirée Chek Designs for Empowerment with Telus Health

The user-experience designer and Continuing Studies grad is making a difference designing systems to help patients take charge of their own care.


Ready to Launch Your UX Design Career?

Get started today and take the first step toward a rewarding, in-demand career in UX design.


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FAQ

Check out the Program Handbook for complete details about the program.

General

Funding + Financial

International Students

Eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit requires that applicants have completed a training program that is at least 8 months in duration, and full-time student status.

The User Experience (UX) Design Certificate is a 32-week, or 8-month program. Students may be eligible for a PGWP after graduation. For more information and updates, please visit the Government of Canada website.