The live, mentored next step after the Google UX Certificate.
The Google UX Certificate is a self-paced start. UX Academy is the live next step: tutors, weekly feedback, a real client project, built for the UK job market.
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UX Academy vs Google UX Design Certificate.
| UX Academy | Google UX Design Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Live online, small groups (max 10), real-time tutors | Fully self-paced, pre-recorded video + readings + quizzes |
| Teaching | Real tutors in every live session with feedback on your work | No live instruction; AI tools and peer discussion only |
| Mentorship | Weekly 45-minute team session with an industry mentor, included | No human mentor; community forums only |
| Length | 8-wk foundation, stackable to ~12-wk full career programme | About 6 months at ~10 hrs/week (self-paced, 7 courses) |
| Price | GBP 2,000 total, GBP 99 deposit, price-match guarantee | About USD 49/month on Coursera (~USD 300 total over 6 months); also in Coursera Plus |
| Project | Real client project with tutor feedback | Three course projects (practice-based, not real clients) |
| Certificate | UX Academy certificate | Google Career Certificate via Coursera |
| Based | London, UK (online) | Global (Coursera); salary benchmarks quoted are US |
Google UX Design Certificate details from coursera.org, captured June 2026. Pricing in USD at Coursera regional rates; verify current pricing on their site before relying on it.
What you get with us.
Live teaching and real feedback
Live small-group sessions weekly, with tutors who see your work and give feedback.
Structure, accountability, and a clear next step
8-week foundation (GBP 2,000) stacks into the Career Track (GBP 1,000) with a second brief.
A real client project and a UK-focused portfolio
A real client brief, not a made-up scenario, positioned for UK interviews.
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Before you decide.
Is the Google UX Certificate worth it?
Honestly, yes, as a starting point. For around USD 300 over six months you get a solid grounding in UX fundamentals, Figma, and the design thinking process. The limitation is what it can't give you: live teaching, a mentor, peer critique, or a real project brief. If you're self-directed and just want to test whether UX is for you, it's a smart first step.
Should I do UX Academy after completing the Google UX Certificate?
Yes, if you want to move from self-study to active practice. The Google certificate builds knowledge; UX Academy builds the portfolio, the professional habits, and the live feedback loop that employers actually ask about at interview. Many of our students arrive having already done the Google cert and find the live teaching is where things click. From there, the stackable Career Track adds a second live client project and 1:1 job support - the kind of thing that actually moves a CV from the maybe pile to an interview.
Which is cheaper, the Google certificate or UX Academy?
The Google UX Design Certificate is far cheaper: around USD 300 total (roughly GBP 230 to GBP 250 at typical exchange rates) via Coursera. UX Academy is GBP 2,000. We don't compete on price and we'd never pretend otherwise. What you're paying for is live small-group instruction, a real tutor who gives you feedback, weekly live mentor check-ins, and a real client project you can show to UK employers. That's a fundamentally different product.
Will the Google UX Certificate get me a UX job in the UK?
It's a credible starting credential, but most UK hiring managers want to see a portfolio of real work, not just a certificate. The salary figures Google quotes in its marketing are US averages; UK entry-level UX salaries are lower and the market is competitive. The certificate opens a door; you still need the portfolio, the ability to talk through your process, and ideally some experience with a real brief to walk through it.