Prefer live teaching to self-paced study?
The UX Design Institute offers a respected, university credit-rated self-paced diploma. But not everyone thrives studying alone over six months. UX Academy teaches UX live, in small groups, in weekly evening sessions, from GBP 1,500 for the 8-week foundation - stackable to a full ~20-week career programme at GBP 3,000 that includes real work experience at a start-up. Here is an honest comparison so you can choose the format that fits you.
UX Academy vs UX Design Institute.
| UX Academy | UX Design Institute | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Live online classes, small groups, real-time tutors | Online, self-paced with 1:1 mentor support |
| Length | 8-wk foundation, stackable to ~20-wk full career programme | About 6 months, 6 to 8 hours per week |
| Schedule | Part-time evenings (weekly, 6:00 to 8:30pm UK) | Self-directed around scheduled start dates |
| Price | GBP 1,500, price-match guarantee, GBP 99 deposit | Approx EUR 2,995 early-bird (EUR 4,250 standard) |
| Class size | Max 15 students | Self-paced (no fixed class) |
| Credential | UX Academy certificate | University credit-rated (Glasgow Caledonian, 20 ECTS) |
| Based | London, UK (online) | Dublin, Ireland (online) |
UX Design Institute details from uxdesigninstitute.com, captured June 2026. Their pricing is shown in euros and varies by region and early-bird discount; verify current pricing on their site.
What you get with us.
Live, not self-paced
The UX Design Institute diploma is a self-paced course with a personal mentor. UX Academy is taught live in small groups every week. If you learn better with real-time classes and accountability, that is the core difference.
Live teaching, built around your job
UX Academy runs live small-group classes every Wednesday evening (6:00 to 8:30pm UK), capped at 15 students. Rather than working through material alone over 6 months, you learn in real time with a tutor and a cohort - structured weekly accountability that fits around full-time work. The 8-week foundation is stackable into a full ~20-week career programme for those who want to go further.
Lower cost in GBP
UX Academy is GBP 1,500 with a price-match guarantee and a GBP 99 deposit. The UX Design Institute diploma is priced in euros at roughly EUR 2,995 early-bird.
Before you decide.
What is the difference between UX Academy and the UX Design Institute?
The biggest difference is format. The UX Design Institute is a self-paced online diploma with a 1:1 mentor, run over about 6 months. UX Academy is live, small-group teaching over 8 weeks. The Institute also offers a university credit-rated qualification, which is worth weighing if formal academic credit matters to you.
Is the UX Design Institute accredited?
Yes. Their Professional Diploma is university credit-rated by Glasgow Caledonian University (20 ECTS). UX Academy awards a certificate on completion of each course. Which matters more depends on your goal: formal academic credit versus live, practical training with a real client project you can show employers.
Which is cheaper?
UX Academy is GBP 1,500 with a price-match guarantee. The UX Design Institute diploma is priced in euros, around EUR 2,995 with an early-bird discount (EUR 4,250 standard). Always check both sites for current pricing, as currency and discounts change.
Can I do UX Academy while working full time?
Yes. Classes are one live evening session per week plus a few hours of project work, designed for people in full-time jobs.