No Degree? No Problem. These Free UX/UI Courses Have You Covered
Explore 12 free UX/UI design courses to kickstart your design journey with real-world skills—no fluff, no cost, just clarity.
Getting into UX and product design can feel like walking into a library with no map. There’s so much out there. So many tools, so many terms, so many people on LinkedIn using words like “heuristics” and “empathy mapping” as if everyone knows what they mean. (I didn’t at first.)
If you're someone who learns better with structure—but doesn’t want to commit to a bootcamp just yet—this list of actually good free UI/UX design courses might help you cut through the fog. Some are short and sweet; others are the kind you’ll want to bookmark and return to when you're mid-project and wondering, “Wait... is this even accessible?”
Let’s walk through them—not just what they teach, but how they feel to learn from, because learning design isn’t just about gathering facts. It’s about building intuition.
1. Intro to UX Research by Maze
UX research always sounded a bit intimidating to me. It required a lab coat or an anthropology degree. But Maze breaks it down. No fluff. They walk you through methods like surveys and usability testing without assuming prior knowledge.
It’s less of a “course” in the traditional sense—more like a well-organized guide you wish someone had handed you earlier.
2. Design Basics by Figma
This one’s essential. It covers, well, the basics—but with that Figma polish. There’s something comforting about learning from the tool you’ll probably use anyway.
Think of it as design kindergarten: colors, grids, alignment... all the stuff that quietly makes a design feel “right.”
3. Intro to Design + Graphic Design by Baseline
This feels like a breath of fresh air if you’re coming from a non-design background. It talks to you like a person, not like a professor. And it sneaks in core graphic design principles without ever sounding preachy.
Some parts feel almost... too simple? But that’s the point—you’ll remember them.
4. Kickass UX Fundamentals
Name aside, it’s surprisingly solid. Probably one of the most beginner-friendly intros to UX. They use plain language and even have a whole section on what a UX designer does on a day-to-day basis—something most courses oddly skip.
At times, it’s a bit casual. But if you’re overwhelmed by jargon, that’s a feature, not a bug.
5. Intro to Design Systems by Figma
Design systems can feel like a topic for later, once you're on a team or working on a big app. But Figma’s guide makes a compelling case for learning early. And frankly, understanding components and tokens early will save you hours of rework down the line.
This one is more reading than doing, but it's still worth your time.
6. Build a Design System (YouTube – UI Collective)
Watching someone build a design system in real-time is like seeing a magician reveal their trick. It clicks. Suddenly, you get why design systems exist, not just what they are.
It’s YouTube, so expect a little less structure. Still, it’s practical and oddly soothing to watch.
7. Free UX Writing Course – UX Writing Hub
Copy is part of the interface. Yet most courses treat it like an afterthought. This one doesn’t. It walks through tone, voice, and microcopy with examples that’ll make you go “Ahh... that’s what makes this button feel trustworthy.”
Even if you're not planning to become a UX writer, this is worth a look. It changes how you read.
8. UI Design Fundamentals – Figma
Where the Design Basics course teaches you to walk, this one teaches you to jog. You start thinking in spacing systems, component libraries, and how to create hierarchy with typography.
A few parts can feel tool-specific, but honestly, it’s hard to complain when it’s this straightforward and well-designed.
9. UX Design Roadmap by Simona Smaciulis
Okay, so this is more of a personal resource than a formal course. But it’s gold.
It’s a curated roadmap, broken down by topic, with handpicked resources. You won’t finish it in one sitting—but that’s the point. It’s a compass, not a quick fix.
10. Digital Skills: User Experience – By Accenture
This one feels... academic, in a good way, like something you’d take if you want to explain UX to someone else later.
It might not be as flashy or modern as some of the others, but if you want foundations backed by a big name (Accenture), it’s a solid choice.
11. LinkedIn Learning: Become a UX Designer Path
You might already be on LinkedIn, so hey, why not use it for learning too?
This path combines bite-sized lessons from various instructors. You get different voices, which can be refreshing (or a bit disjointed—depending on your style). The good news? You’ll know quickly what sticks.
12. CareerFoundry Free UX Short Course
This one feels like a teaser for their paid course, but a very well-made teaser. It gives you just enough to see if UX is your thing.
Expect emails, structured lessons, and assignments that you can share with others. Honestly, it’s a pretty generous freebie.
Final Thoughts (Or... Where to Start?)
If I were starting from scratch today, I’d probably pick 2–3 of these. One that feels hands-on. One that explains the “why” behind design decisions. And one that speaks my language—where I enjoy learning, not just check it off.
Design isn't a checklist. It's a craft. A way of thinking. And weirdly, a bit of an obsession.
So, whether you’re just exploring or quietly plotting a career pivot, these free courses might be your best nudge forward.
Take your time. Explore. Stumble a little. That’s how most designers learn—one slightly off-centered button at a time.