UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) vs Designlab — what's the difference?
UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) is a UK live-cohort school (Nomadic User Ltd, company number 09556531, England and Wales). Designlab’s “UX Academy” is a separate US product; we aren't affiliated.
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UX Academy vs Designlab.
| UX Academy | Designlab | |
|---|---|---|
| Company / Based | UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) - Nomadic User Ltd, UK | Designlab "UX Academy" - Designlab Inc., US-based |
| Format | Live cohort - Wednesday evening sessions with named tutors in real time | Fully online, asynchronous - self-paced videos + 1-on-1 mentor calls |
| Location / Time zone | UK-based, London time zone, UK job market focus | US-based; sessions and community are US-oriented |
| Cohort size | Max 10 students - small group, you aren't a number | Large self-paced community; mentor is 1-on-1, not a shared cohort |
| Lead instructor | Natalia Veretenyk - 12+ years in UX, named and consistent across cohorts | Varied mentors matched to your plan; no single named lead |
| Graduate outcomes | Named graduates at Airbnb, IBM, Knight Frank, Prostate Cancer UK, BBH London | Not independently verified for the UK market |
| Price | GBP 1,500 total; GBP 99 deposit to secure your place | Varies by plan - typically USD 7,999 to 8,499 upfront; US financing only |
| Accreditation | UX Academy certificate of completion (not CPD-accredited) | Certificate of completion (not independently accredited) |
Designlab details from designlab.com/ux-academy, captured June 2026; pricing in USD. Verify current pricing and programme details on Designlab's site before relying on them. UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) is an independent UK school and isn't affiliated with Designlab.
Who should choose which?
Choose UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) if...
- You learn better in a live class with a real tutor, not from recorded videos.
- You want a small cohort (max 10 students) with genuine peer accountability.
- UK/EU time zones matter - live sessions run Wednesday evenings, London time.
- GBP pricing is important - GBP 1,500 total, reservable with a GBP 99 deposit.
- You want to study with a named lead instructor (Natalia Veretenyk, 12+ years in UX).
- You want named graduate outcomes in the UK market: Airbnb, IBM, Knight Frank, Prostate Cancer UK.
- You want a stackable path: start with the 8-week foundation, continue to Career Track.
Choose Designlab if...
- You prefer self-paced async study and need total schedule flexibility.
- You want dedicated 1-to-1 mentorship as the primary learning model.
- You're US-based or need a US-oriented programme and community.
- You're comfortable with USD pricing and US-only financing options.
- Flexible timelines - up to 18 months self-paced - suit your life better.
What you get with us.
Live cohort accountability you can't get from video
Live Wednesday evening sessions with a real tutor, not asynchronous video.
UK-based, GBP pricing, London time zone
GBP pricing with no currency risk, and a real-client project rooted in the UK industry.
Natalia Veretenyk as lead instructor - named, consistent, 12+ years in UX
Every cohort is led by Natalia Veretenyk, 12+ years in hands-on UX.
Not sure which course is right for you?
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Before you decide.
Is UX Academy the same as Designlab?
No. They're completely separate products from unrelated companies. Designlab runs a product called "UX Academy" at designlab.com - they're a US company. UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) is an independent UK school, a trading name of Nomadic User Ltd (Companies House company number 09556531). Our trading name is also a UK registered trade mark (UK00003542830, Class 41), owned by Nomadic User Ltd. We aren't affiliated with Designlab in any way. If you searched for "UX Academy" and found two different things, that's exactly what happened: two separate products share the same name.
What's the difference between myuxacademy.com and Designlab?
The biggest differences are format and location. myuxacademy.com is a UK live-cohort school: Wednesday evening sessions with a named lead instructor (Natalia Veretenyk), max 10 students, GBP pricing. Designlab is a US self-paced platform: asynchronous video content with 1-on-1 mentor calls, US-based, USD pricing (typically USD 7,999 to 8,499). One is a structured live class; the other is a flexible self-directed programme with mentor support.
Is UX Academy UK-based?
Yes. UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) is a UK school, run by Nomadic User Ltd and based in London. Live sessions run in the London time zone. The programme, pricing (GBP 1,500), and client projects are all UK-focused. Designlab is a US company headquartered in San Francisco. If you want a UK-based, GBP-priced UX course with live teaching, myuxacademy.com is the UK option.
Which is cheaper - UX Academy or Designlab?
UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) is GBP 1,500 in total, with a GBP 99 deposit to reserve your place. Designlab's UX Academy is typically USD 7,999 to 8,499 upfront (monthly plans up to USD 1,417/mo). At current exchange rates the difference is roughly five to six times the cost. Prices as listed on each company's site as of June 2026 - verify before relying on them.
Is UX Academy or Designlab better for career changers in the UK?
For UK career changers who need structure, live accountability, and UK employer connections, UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) is the more targeted option. Named graduates have moved into design roles at organisations including Airbnb, IBM, Knight Frank, Prostate Cancer UK and BBH London. Sessions run in London time, pricing is in GBP, and the client project is rooted in the UK design market. Designlab is self-directed, US-oriented, and significantly more expensive.
Is neither UX Academy nor Designlab CPD-accredited?
Correct. UX Academy (myuxacademy.com) awards a certificate of completion; the course isn't CPD-accredited. Designlab awards a certificate of completion and isn't independently accredited either. If formal CPD accreditation is a requirement for your role or employer, neither product satisfies that requirement.
Is UX Academy better than Designlab?
They serve different models -- UX Academy runs live online cohorts with UK-based instructors; Designlab is self-paced with 1:1 mentor sessions. UX Academy is better suited to career-changers wanting live instruction and peer cohort dynamics.
How much does Designlab cost vs UX Academy?
It depends on the programme: Designlab's UX Academy is typically USD 7,999 to 8,499, with shorter foundation courses from around USD 1,499. UX Academy courses start at £1,500 with a £99 deposit.
Does UX Academy have an equivalent to Designlab's mentor sessions?
UX Academy's live cohort format means all sessions are instructor-led in real time. There are no separate mentor sessions -- the instructor interacts with every student live.
Is Designlab accredited?
Neither Designlab nor UX Academy is formally accredited. Both focus on portfolio-based outcomes and employer recognition over certificates.