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UX Research 101: A Complete Guide to User-Centered Design

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11 Best UX Research Courses & Certifications for 2024

UX design is paramount to success in the digital landscape. The UX research courses offer a comprehensive understanding of the behavior, needs, trends, and preferences of the users that help you design the most effective user experiences. ‍ If you are looking forward to diving into this interesting world of UX design or you want to update your existing skill set, online UX research certificates are a convenient and achievable way to master the required knowledge.

List of Available Courses

Following are the UX research courses and certifications that we are covering in this article:

• Uxcel UX Research Course
• Coursera User Experience Research and Design Specialization
• Pluralsight
• CareerFoundry Program
• Linkedin Learning
• Interaction Design Foundation
• Springboard

Overview of Best UX Research Courses

11 best user researcher courses in 2023.

Before we delve deep into the best user research courses, let’s look at this quote.

“Design isn’t just what it looks like and feels like — design is how it works.”

1. Uxcel - UX Research Course

• Course format : Online part-time course, 23 lessons
• Duration: Self-paced, 6 hours in total

This course is designed to equip you with the latest knowledge and use of tools to reach the desired information from the market, so you can design a complete UX research process that aligns with the customer’s demand and the company’s attributes. This course enables you to conduct effective consumer research to get the targeted data that ensures effective research deliverables without hustle. Whether you are stepping into this amazing field or you are a seasoned UX developer, Uxcel’s UX research course will provide you with valuable insights and the use of up-to-date tools/technologies to enhance your professional skills.

Due to its convenience, scalability, and value, this research course is best suitable for rapid training sessions for teams, UX professionals to get advanced knowledge, and beginners to learn effectively on a budget.

Course Highlights:

Six modules are developed to cater to all levels of career for a UX designer or researcher. Every level focuses upon a specialized area that, step by step, takes the learners to master the field of UX research. All of the 6 modules are completed by taking a test, and clearing the final module grants the learner a certificate of completion. UX research certificates hold great importance for recruiters. It is a comprehensive course that starts with the fundamentals of research, introduces strategy and methodology, provides usability Heuristics and enables the learners with accessibility research options. The planning and execution of UX research mainly deal with the consumers and potential business partners, so an important part of this course is dedicated to the ethical considerations for the researchers. Recruiting users through screener surveys, diaries, and interviews is also being addressed in the UX research tools portion of the course. You'll have the opportunity

2. User Experience Research and Design Specialization by Coursera

• Course format : Online part-time course
• Duration: Self-paced, 2 months (10 hours a week)
• Cost: $49/month

This course is provided by the Michigan State University on Coursera. This is an elaborative source that explains the fundamentals of UX development and research.

This course is suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of UX research and development.

The course covers a wide range of informative modules, including user testing and analysis, storyboards, user stories, surveys, high-fidelity mockups, application of analytical tools, and internet testing methodology to equip learners with advanced knowledge. In the final module, this course offers a capstone project with a multi-level testing exercise and results evaluation.

3. Beginner UX Design Course by UX Academy

• Duration: 8 weeks
• Cost: $7,649

This course offers right from basic knowledge to advanced level skills development techniques. The provider also helps the learners to get resources across the web and individual training sessions.

This course is highly recommended to beginners with no prior knowledge and who want to invest in their careers.

Basic level information covers the methodology and helps the learners with resources and practical exercises to enhance their skills.

4. UX Research by HEC Montreal via EdeX

• Duration: 6 weeks

This course is specially designed considering the individual needs of the learners, it provides weekly classes, online lessons, and small group sessions.

Beginners and people who want to invest in their future.

The course offers fundamentals of learning with UX design and research scope. Though the cost of this program is high, they also provide various payment plans. This program will provide learners with top-notch tutors and a comprehensive set of knowledge to start with.

5. Conducting UX Research by Pluralsight

• Duration: 1.2 hrs

This course provides the learners with all the essentials of UX research in a minimum time. The course also focuses on the role of research in the product design process.

Professionals and the ones with experience in related fields.

The learners are provided with techniques of research tools application and research methodologies, and exercises are provided to help them understand the concepts better.

6. UX Research for Beginners by CareerFoundry

• Duration: 1 hour

This is training series that encompasses six sessions by the providers. The lessons include a teaching video, informatory materials, a quiz, and an exercise to apply what you have learned in that lesson. There is a range of topics that provide not only the fundamentals of research but also application techniques and exercises to apply them.

This could be a good fit if you want to dip your toes into UX design without making a significant commitment.

The course offers access to all course materials, and student work on real-world projects serves as the foundation for a resume or portfolio. You can speak with a program counselor directly.

7. UX & User Research Course by Design Lab

• Duration: 4 weeks

Design Lab designed this research course to provide the fundamentals of research for UX developers.

This is a beginners level course that starts with an overview of the research purposes and then moves to specific details regarding information collection, evaluation, and studying behavior patterns. The course also covers the feature matrix and prototype design. Design Lab also provides the learners with mentorship and certification with formal recognition of their study project.

8. Advance Your Skills as a User Experience Researcher (Learning Path) by LinkedIn Learning

• Duration: 9 hours
• Cost: $19.99

LinkedIn is a paid online learning portal that offers more than 4,000 courses taught by professionals in various fields. Lessons and short videos make up each course.

This nine-hour course advances your abilities in UX design course. It is one of the most popular options for people wishing to improve their knowledge of UX design and add to their resumes.

This UX research and product development course is intended for students with some prior expertise in the field. LinkedIn Learning provides a free trial period for new users, after which you may choose between a free and a paid subscription.

9. User Research, Methods, and Best Practices by Interaction Design Foundation

• Duration: 32 hours

The user research, methods, and best practices course is up next. This provides an overview of everything to learners that covers the broad subject of user experience design research and best practices.

This course is designed for beginners

The course elaborates on the research methodology with design examples. This is also an introduction to the other interlinked advanced courses by the provider.

10. UX Research Online Bootcamp by Memorisely

• Duration: 5 weeks

Memorisely's UX design Bootcamp is geared toward mentors who teach how to do both exploratory and conclusive research, as well as how to use the most cutting-edge UX design software.

This course may be ideal for you if you are willing to spend a bit more money and value having a traditional classroom experience without the hassle of traveling to and from class.

The course material covers almost all the necessary information and the use of research tools to get the necessary information. These lessons include Live Zoom lectures, exclusive feedback, and group projects that make up the course's hybrid format.

11. UX Career Track by Springboard

• Duration: 6 months
• Cost: $7900

Springboards UX Career Track is a comprehensive program that covers user experience design, including a module on UX research that lasts about 44 hours. This intensive course would be most beneficial for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree or have at least a year of professional experience in related fields.

UX designers, project managers, entrepreneurs, and marketers with some prior experience in product design and development would benefit most from this intermediate-level course. Even while there may be more of a learning curve for newcomers, it is appropriate for them as well.

Additionally, students spend 10 hours synthesizing and presenting their findings. Affinity maps, empathy maps, personas, issue statements, journey maps, and research presentations are some of the topics covered in the UX research curriculum. This course offers both video lectures and detailed reading materials. It includes career guidance and job placement assistance upon completion.

Key Takeaways

When it comes to the world of UX design, there are no hard and fast rules for those looking to break into the field to get UX researcher certification. However, employers tend to favor candidates who have attended UX research courses or, even better, attain a UX research certification and can showcase their skills effectively. If you're looking to kickstart a successful career in UX design, it's crucial to equip yourself with the right skills and tools. One effective way to do this is by enrolling in UX researcher courses, attending workshops, or joining boot camps. These opportunities can provide you with the necessary knowledge and familiarity with the tools needed to thrive in the field of UX research. For those seeking to gain a thorough understanding of UX research design fundamentals and best practices, educational opportunities are available that offer a structured curriculum covering key concepts, methodologies, and practical techniques used in the industry. These opportunities provide individuals with the knowledge about how to become a UX researcher and succeed in the field. In addition, these courses frequently incorporate case studies and examples, practical assignments, and activities aimed at constructing a portfolio, enabling attendees to exhibit their skills and mastery to prospective employers. Aspiring UX designers and researchers can greatly improve their chances of landing desirable job opportunities and embarking on a successful career in the UX design field by exploring these various avenues of learning.

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UX Researcher Certifications

Explore the top UX Researcher certifications that are important to a successful career.

Getting Started as a UX Researcher

• What is a UX Researcher
• How To Become
• Certifications
• Tools & Software
• LinkedIn Guide
• Interview Questions
• Work-Life Balance
• Professional Goals
• Resume Examples
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Getting Certified as a UX Researcher

Top ux researcher certifications, best ux researcher certifications, user experience (ux) research and design micromasters program.

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is recommended but not required.
• Basic understanding of design principles and familiarity with design software and tools.
• Access to a computer and internet to complete online coursework and projects.
• Proficiency in English, as the program is delivered in English.
• Commitment to complete all courses in the program, including the capstone project.
• Payment of the program fee or financial aid approval for those who qualify.

Certified User Experience Analyst (CXA)

• A prerequisite of having completed the Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) certification or equivalent experience in the UX field.
• Completion of advanced courses offered by HFI, which may include topics such as persuasive design, advanced user research, and strategy.
• Passing the CXA examination, which assesses advanced knowledge and application of user experience principles.
• Professional experience in user experience design, usability, or related fields is recommended to grasp the complex concepts covered in the certification.
• Understanding of basic concepts in psychology and human behavior as they relate to user experience.
• Commitment to adhere to the code of ethics and professional conduct as defined by Human Factors International.

UX Research at Scale: Surveys, Analytics, Online Testing

• Membership with the Interaction Design Foundation (IDF) to access the course
• Basic understanding of User Experience (UX) principles and methodologies
• Access to a computer and internet for online learning and testing platforms
• Interest in learning about quantitative UX research methods
• Ability to commit to the course duration for completing modules and assignments
• No formal educational background is required, but a background in design, research, or related fields may be beneficial

User Experience Design Immersive (UXDI)

• A high school diploma or equivalent for entry-level positions; a bachelor's degree may be preferred for more competitive roles or companies.
• Basic understanding of design principles and tools, although beginners can also enroll.
• Commitment to a full-time, immersive program that typically spans several weeks.
• Access to a computer and the internet for the duration of the program to complete coursework and projects.
• Willingness to collaborate with peers and participate in group projects and activities.
• Completion of any pre-course prep work provided by General Assembly to ensure readiness for the immersive experience.

UX Research Specialist Certificate

• A minimum of 5 full-day in-person courses, which include a foundational UX course plus 4 additional courses focusing on research topics, completed through NN/g.
• Passing of an exam for each of the 5 courses, which is taken at the end of each course day.
• Completion of a specialized project that demonstrates the application of UX research skills learned in the courses.
• Submission of the project for evaluation by NN/g experts, which must meet their criteria to qualify for the certification.
• Attendance at an NN/g UX Conference to take the courses, as they are not available online.
• No formal educational or professional prerequisites, but a background in UX, design, psychology, or related fields is recommended.

Professional Researcher Certification (PRC)

• A minimum of 12 months of experience in market research or a related field.
• A bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent work experience in market research.
• Agreement to adhere to the Insights Association Code of Standards and Ethics for Marketing Research and Data Analytics.
• Completion of industry-related continuing education: 20 hours every two years for those with a bachelor's degree or higher, or 30 hours for those without a degree.
• Passing a comprehensive examination that assesses knowledge of market research methodologies and practices.
• Payment of the certification fee, which varies depending on membership status with the Insights Association.

UX Certification

• No formal educational or professional prerequisites are required to enroll in the UX Certification program.
• Participants must complete a total of 5 full-day training courses offered by NN/g.
• At least one of the courses must be a foundational course, covering core UX principles.
• After each course, participants must pass an exam to earn a credit towards certification.
• All 5 courses and corresponding exams must be completed within a 3-year period to qualify for certification.
• Participants can choose courses that align with their interests and career goals within the UX field, as NN/g offers a variety of specialized topics.

Certified Usability Analyst (CUA)

• A foundational understanding of user experience (UX) principles and practices
• Completion of the four core courses offered by HFI, which are: User-Centered Analysis and Conceptual Design, The Science and Art of Effective Web and Application Design, Practical Usability Testing, and Putting Research into Practice
• Passing the CUA examination, which tests knowledge and understanding of the HFI course material
• There are no formal educational or professional work experience requirements, but familiarity with UX design, human-computer interaction, or related fields is beneficial
• Payment of the certification exam fee
• Agreement to adhere to the HFI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

UX Design Institute Professional Diploma in UX Design

• A high school diploma or equivalent as a minimum educational requirement
• Basic proficiency in computer use and navigating online platforms
• Access to a computer and a reliable internet connection for online learning modules
• Commitment to complete a 6-month part-time course (approximately 10 hours per week)
• Payment of the course fee or proof of financing options
• No prior experience in UX design is required, but an interest in design, technology, and user psychology is beneficial

User Experience Design Essentials - Adobe XD UI UX Design

• Access to a computer with internet connection capable of running Adobe XD software
• Basic understanding of design concepts is helpful but not required
• No prior experience with Adobe XD or other design tools is necessary
• A willingness to learn and follow along with hands-on design exercises
• Adobe XD software installed on the computer (available as a free download or through Adobe Creative Cloud subscription)
• Udemy account to enroll and access the course materials

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Benefits of having a ux researcher certification, how to choose the best ux researcher certification.

• Identify Specialization and Skill Gaps: Reflect on your current skills and identify areas for growth. Are you looking to specialize in quantitative research, ethnography, or perhaps user testing? Choose a certification that fills your skill gaps and aligns with the specialization that interests you or is in demand within the industry.
• Curriculum and Learning Outcomes: Scrutinize the curriculum to ensure it covers the breadth and depth of UX research methodologies you seek to master. A good certification should offer a balance of theory and practical application, equipping you with actionable insights and techniques that can be directly applied to real-world projects.
• Industry Relevance and Technological Advancements: Opt for certifications that are updated regularly to reflect the latest industry practices and technological advancements. UX research is a rapidly evolving field, and staying abreast of new tools, methods, and best practices is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.
• Networking and Community Engagement: Consider certifications that provide access to professional networks or communities. These can be invaluable for career growth, offering opportunities to connect with industry leaders, participate in discussions, and stay informed about job openings and industry trends.
• Return on Investment: Evaluate the cost, time commitment, and potential career benefits of the certification. High-quality certifications can be an investment, so consider the potential return in terms of job opportunities, salary increases, and professional recognition. Aim for certifications that offer the best balance between cost and long-term career benefits.

Preparing for Your UX Researcher Certification

Certification faqs for ux researchers, is getting a ux researcher certification worth it, do you need a certification to get a job as a ux researcher, can ux researcher certifications help pivoters make the transition into design & ux from another career path.

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User research course for UX

Professional certificate in user research.

The industry standard course in UX research

Master the research skills that make UX professionals so valuable. Become a confident, credible and effective user researcher with a globally recognised qualification.

Why take this user research course:

• Gain the most in-demand skills* and boost your career in a thriving industry.
• Learn a complete range of UX research methods. Expand your toolkit to conduct high-quality research at pace.
• Become an insights expert. Translate findings into actionable insights and communicate them with conviction.
• Showcase your expertise. Build a professional user research portfolio and earn a university credit-rated qualification.
• Get the confidence to succeed. Count on our mentors, career advisors and student community throughout your journey.

*Research is one of the top 10 most in-demand skills globally (LinkedIn, 2023).

A comprehensive, in-depth curriculum

This user research course has been created and validated by experts in UX research. It is credit-rated by Glasgow Caledonian University. Self-paced learning gives you the flexibility to study in your own time. Monthly deadlines and submissions give you structure and accountability. The best of both worlds.

Introduction to user research

Understand the role of a UX researcher. Explore the types, methods and ethics of research.

Planning the research

Learn how to build a research plan, collaborate with stakeholders, recruit participants and manage data.

Fundamental user research skills

Master the core skills of interviewing and usability testing. Learn how to moderate and take notes.

Expanding your toolkit

Explore qualitative research methods like ethnography, contextual enquiry, service safaris and diary studies.

Analysing qualitative research

Learn to analyse research data and translate it into user goals, affinity diagrams, personas and journey maps.

Quantitative research

Learn to design, conduct and analyse online surveys, A/B tests and more.

Communicating the research

Learn how to report and present your findings with confidence.

AI for user research

Explore how AI tools can assist researchers.

Portfolio project

Build a professional portfolio to showcase your research expertise.

Get the syllabus and learn more about our user research course:

Who is this course for?

This course is for anybody looking to build their skills and advance their career with UX research.

• UX designers seeking to enhance their user research skills
• UX researchers looking for a formal qualification that validates their expertise
• Researchers or social scientists considering a career in UX
• Product managers/owners who need research skills to succeed in their roles
• Anyone who enjoys interacting with users, seeking a meaningful UX research career

Stephen Kennedy

Deputy Head of Product & Design, Ryanair

“The course has significantly enhanced my user research skills. In my role as the Deputy Head of Product & Design, I not only feel more self-assured in carrying out user research tasks, but I also feel well-equipped to lead and guide my team.”

Learn from experts

The Professional Certificate in User Research has been created with seasoned UX research professionals.

Next user research course

10 october 2024, pay upfront, pay monthly.

• Based on 6 monthly payments
• 0% interest

What’s included

Support at every step.

From day one, you’ll be part of a lively community of tutors, mentors and fellow students that support each other along the way.

Student Success team

Our friendly and responsive team will help you stay on track and keep you accountable.

Course mentor

Your course mentor is an expert user researcher who brings years of practical insight.

Student community

Collaborate, share tips and build connections on our lively student Slack channels.

Request more details

Submit your contact details to get:

• The full course syllabus
• Your questions answered, by phone or email
• Helpful career advice with no obligations

Or if you're happy to get started, enrol today.

Get helpful career advice and have your questions answered, with no obligations.

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UX Designer & Researcher Lucky Beard

Or if you're happy to get started, you can enrol today .

Frequently asked questions

More questions? Schedule a call with an education advisor, or email us at [email protected]

What is user research?

The objective of user experience design is to create products and services that users will feel good about using. But how do we know what users want? How can we empathise with them or understand their goals and objectives while also knowing which problems they want our products to solve? That’s where user research comes in.  User research is the process of researching a product or service’s current or potential users. User research helps UX designers understand their users so that the products they create are more likely to satisfy them while meeting business objectives. Learn more about user research here .

What do user researchers do?

In UX design, a user researcher, also known as a UX researcher, uses qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis to gain insight into the users of a product. A UX researcher’s work is ultimately in service of a product’s UX design but UX researchers aren’t designers. Instead, they synthesise and present their findings to the design team through presentations, personas, journey maps and other tools that will enable the team to understand the users they’re designing for. Learn more .

Do I need design or coding experience?

No, you don’t need any design or coding experience. Bring an open mind and aptitude to learn.

What are the admissions criteria?

Students are admitted on a case-by-case basis after a consultation with one of our Education Advisors. Key factors we’ll discuss with you include:

1. Background

You don’t need experience in design or technology to enrol in our courses, although having one or both is a definite bonus.

2. Commitment

You do need to be motivated and committed. We set a high bar. Studying for one of our professional qualifications requires a certain amount of time, energy and focus. Our team will be there to support you along every step of the way but success will come as a result of your own diligence.

3. English language

You need to be comfortable learning in English. All video lessons, course materials, webinars, correspondence and the final exam are delivered in English.

How is the course structured?

There are two learning paths available to you:

1. Structured path

The most popular option is to follow the 16 week structure. Each week you are given a deadline with a number of video lessons to complete. You’ll also follow recommended start and finish dates for each project.

2. Self-directed path

Alternatively you can complete the course entirely at your own pace. As the course is delivered entirely online, it means that you’re free to complete it whenever you are free. You’ll still be able to take part in any of the webinars - either live or catching up through recordings. Once enrolled, you'll have access to all of the course materials for eight months.

Will I get a mentor?

Yes. All our mentors are industry professionals with many years of experience working in the field. Our mentors host webinars and will be available during these live sessions to answer questions, review progress and run quick tutorials.

Will I build a portfolio?

Yes. Practical work is an important part of the course. You’ll complete a series of projects which will give you hands-on experience in user research. Completed project work can be added to your portfolio to showcase the skills that you’ve acquired through the course.

Will I work on a team?

Yes, if you want to. Each course is limited to a maximum of 75 people. This allows you to build relationships with your fellow students on a dedicated Slack channel, and collaborate on projects and study time.

Is the course recognised?

The UK higher education system is internationally renowned for its excellent standards. Our courses are all credit-rated by Glasgow Caledonian University, a highly-rated UK university. The Professional Certificate in User Research is allocated 15 credits at Level 7 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. For your country, there will be an equivalent award in the relevant educational system. For guidance, please review the Certification Equivalents Table.

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Stanford Online

User research: informing product decisions with customer insights.

Stanford School of Engineering

As a product manager, how can you ensure that your product serves your customers’ unmet (and sometimes unknown) needs? By conducting user research. User research involves spending time with your customers and using quantitative and qualitative testing methods to better understand their needs, behavior, and motivations.

In this course, you will learn how to employ user testing methods at each stage of the product life cycle so that your team can build a superior product that delights your customers.

• Decide which user testing approach to use in a given situation
• Screen and recruit subjects for your testing
• Plan and run rapid experiments, moderated tests, and unmoderated tests
• Synthesize and share results of testing with stakeholders

Course Outline

Core Competencies

• Product management
• User research
• Product development
• Business communications
• Customer experience

All-Access Plan

One Year Subscription

Enroll in all the courses in the Product Management program. View and complete course materials, video lectures, assignments and exams, at your own pace. Revisit course materials or jump ahead – all content remains at your fingertips year-round. You also get 365 days of email access to your Stanford teaching assistant.

Small Groups and Team Programs

Special Pricing

Enroll as a group or team and learn together. We can advise you on the best group options to meet your organization’s training and development goals and provide you with the support needed to streamline the process. Participating together, your group will develop a shared knowledge, language, and mindset to tackle the challenges ahead.

What Our Learners Are Saying

The course 'User Research: Informing Product Decisions with Customer Insights' provides the complete knowledge, as well as the necessary examples and exercises, to gain the skills needed with or without a background in business operations.

Teaching Team

Julie Stanford

Computer Science

Julie Stanford is a founder of Sliced Bread Design, a user research and experience design agency that is at the forefront of interactive design in Silicon Valley. She is also a Lecturer at the Stanford d.school where she teaches Cross Cultural Design.

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User Research for UX

DESIGN X475.3

Get an introduction to the fundamentals of UX research. You gain an understanding of the logistics and theory of conducting user research and how to impact user experience design and product development. You also learn best practices for determining when to use particular methodologies, either qualitative or quantitative research and how to develop appropriate research interviews.

You then apply user research to better understand user behaviors, needs and motivations through observation techniques, task analysis and other feedback methodologies. You also learn about eye tracking and where a person is looking when using a device.

User experience research (UXR) aims at improving the usability of products or services by incorporating experimental and observational research methods to guide the design, development and refinement of a product. Class assignments offer you opportunities to define research objectives, develop a research plan, conduct contextual interviews, execute a research study, analyze results and report findings effectively. You conclude the course with a portfolio project that demonstrates your research skills, when and how to apply different research methods for products or services.

Course Outline

Course Objectives

UC Berkeley Extension designs the best possible online learning experience to give you the skills to produce a quality portfolio and become a confident research and design professional.

• Understand usability testing and user experience
• Study logistic and theoretical components of applied research
• Explore best practices for developing a research plan
• Learn how research contributes to a design effort
• Develop, conduct, analyze and report findings from a user research study
• Ensure that research is applicable to product development
• Explore quantitative and qualitative research methods

What You Learn

User research is used to identify user behaviors, needs, experience and motivations through various qualitative and quantitative methods to improve the process of solving user’s problems and refine a product or service.

• Research plans
• Moderator goals
• Recruiting/sourcing
• Legal considerations
• Contextual inquiry
• Accessibility and ethics
• Persona development
• Research presentation
• Heuristic evaluations
• Cognitive walkthroughs
• UX research in the organizational context
• Usability vs. user experience
• Quantitative vs. qualitative methods
• Mixed methods to understanding users
• Ethnography research
• Diary studies to understand user behaviors
• Synthesize, create and plan online surveys
• Survey findings with stakeholders to create buy-in
• Research questions and methods
• Interaction with participants and observers for quality data collection
• Iteration accompanied with user research to product development
• Introduction to eye tracking in UX research
• Engagement with internal stakeholders and external clients

How You Learn

We are online! All of the design classes are conducted online including: video classes, mentor-led learning and peer-to-peer support through our student online platform, Canvas.

• Reading assignments
• Quizzes (at instructor’s discretion)
• Small-group activities
• Homework assignments
• Capstone project

Is This Course Right for You?

If you are interested in conducting user research to create better products and websites, or want to pursue a career in the UX field, you should enroll. Our experienced instructors monitor your development along with peer-to-peer support on our student online platform.

After completing this course, you are ready for Information Architecture (IA) and Content Strategy .

Fall 2024 enrollment opens on June 17!

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Learn Online, At Your Own Pace

Learn how to conduct qualitative 'UX Research' techniques and generate insight validation and direction for your product or service. This is how to bring internal stakeholders on a journey with you.

Conduct ethnography and guerrilla prototype testing to help your team avoid building experiences or features that your customers don't need.

Enrol now and book your seat. This course is online, 6 weeks long and self paced. Mentors will meet weekly through one-one's and webinars to help guide curriculum and your success.

This course starts November, Monday 16th, 2020, Online.

What You Will Learn

• User Research Intro
• Research Techniques
• User Performance Metrics
• Co-Creation With Customers
• Competitor Benchmarking
• Buyer Persona Creation
• Mapping Qual / Quant Data
• Usability / A/B Testing
• Low fidelity Wire-framing
• Workshop Facilitation
• Stakeholder Communication Strategy
• Getting Buy In

Skills You Will Gain

• User Interviewing
• Data Analysis & Mapping
• Competitor / Market Research
• Workshop Facilitation Skills
• User Journey Mapping
• Prototype Testing
• Stakeholder Management
• Proposition Validation
• Working with Product Teams

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Top 7 Free UX Research Courses with certificates [2024]

Looking for the best UX Research courses online? Here are the top 6 free UX reseach courses of 2024 to start from and upskill your knowledge.

Are you brave enough to steal a diamond necklace worth 150 million dollars from the Met Gala?

If not, a career in UX Research is a well paid in demand second option.

If you’re in the United States, for example, you’ll make about $100k per year ( source )!

It’s nothing compared to MET gala diamond heist compensations but you’re also less likely to fight off the CIA.

So if you’re considering a career in UX Research but not sure where to start, this article will be your trusty guide to navigating the world of UX research education.

We'll dive into the nitty-gritty of UX research courses, UX research certifications, and UX research bootcamps to help you make an informed decision.

Want to know which programs are worth your time and money? We got you covered. Curious about the skills you'll gain and how they'll boost your job prospects? We'll break it down for you.

As the demand for UX researchers continues to rise, investing in your education is a smart move. A solid training program can equip you with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and industry connections to kick-start your UXR career.

So grab a notepad and get ready to explore the exciting landscape of UX research education. 

By the end of this article, you'll have a clearer picture of your learning options and be one step closer to landing your dream UX research job. In this article, we’ll cover:

Are UX researchers in demand?

What to study to become a ux researcher, what are the best ux research courses in 2024.

First things first: Is UX Research still in high demand?

In 2022 UX researchers were the talk of the town. Companies couldn't hire them fast enough! In fact, UX research roles hit their peak demand in Feb 2022. 

But then, the tech world took a tumble. And where do UX researchers tend to hang out? That's right, tech companies. So when tech job postings on Indeed plummeted by over 70% in 2023 compared to 2022 , UX research felt the heat too. For example, it fell by ~50% in the UK Job market!

Before you start rethinking your career choices, here's the good news: the overall trend for UX research demand is still going strong! In the last decade alone, UX research roles have grown to make up 4 times the proportion of total UX jobs in the States. Similarly, UXR roles have remained elevated compared to counterpart disciplines in the UX market of Canada as well. That's some serious growth! 

So while the market might be a bit bumpy right now, the future looks bright for UX research careers. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

There are many paths to entering UX Research as a career. The most comprehensive education option is a UX research masters program (aka HCI programs), which provide in-depth knowledge and practical experience. However, this route can cost $30,000 a year on an average and take a minimum of 11 months , making it the most expensive and time-consuming option. For those seeking a more efficient alternative, a UX research bootcamp offers a condensed version of the masters' experience, culminating in a UX research certification. While this method is more cost-effective than a full degree program, it still requires a financial investment. 

So, is investing in UX research bootcamps worth it? In order to calculate the ROI on these bootcamps, it’s important to know the cost of UX Research Bootcamps. They can vary in price, ranging from $3,000 to $16,000, with durations spanning 9 to 29 weeks. Despite the initial investment, UX bootcamp graduates can expect competitive salaries, with entry-level positions offering an average annual salary of nearly $65,000. As professionals gain experience and advance in their careers, senior and top-level UX researchers can command salaries well over $100,000 in the US.

Haifa Sekkouah, UX Lead at Zendesk , says , being 'worth it'  really depends on what outcome you're aiming for. 

Sekkouah emphasizes that bootcamps are most beneficial for individuals who want to:

• Understand the day-to-day responsibilities of a UX-er
• Get a comprehensive overview of the UX design process
• Explore the breadth of skills required in the field
• Determine if UX design is a suitable career path for them

Whether a bootcamp is worth it also depends on which one you go for. More on the best Bootcamps available below 👇

Also read: Redditors’ opinion on which is better: a certification course or a bootcamp? 

If you're unsure about committing to a UX research career, a free online UX research course can be a great way to explore the field and determine if it aligns with your interests and goals before investing substantial time and money.

Still with us?

Let’s dig into our favorite online UX research courses and UX research bootcamps!

• UX Research Design Specialization
• UX Research
• Interaction Design Specialization
• Conduct UX Research
• User Interface Design Specialization
• Understanding Research Methods
• User Experience - Applied Research and Design

Let go of your Ocean’s 8 ambitions, unless you have Rihanna waiting in the wings. As a close second option, let’s get you trained in UX Research!

1. UX Research Design Specialization

Offered by: University of Michigan via Coursera

Reviews: 4.8 ⭐️ (1,810 ratings)

“Easy to understand explanation of UX principles and enjoyed the instructor's videos and commentary. Enjoyed and learned from doing the class assignments.”

Why take this course?

This user research course is a great way to broadly understand UX.

It's also a UX design course, and covers the basics of both research and design.

It contains 5 different user research courses that teach you how to research and design a product and ends with a capstone project. This project lets you use your learnings to create a product from scratch. The fourth course, ‘UX Design: From Concept to Prototype’, is heavily focused on UX Design and can be skipped if that’s not of interest.

Instructors

The UX courses in this specialization are taught by five professors in the School of Information of the University of Michigan. The lead instructor in the UX Research course will be Dr. Cliff Lampe . He holds a PhD in Information and researches the design of sites such as Facebook, Wikipedia, Everything2, and Slashdot.

Prerequisites

None. This specialization assumes you know nothing about UX and provides a user research certification.

UX research certification

This is a free UX Research course and at the end of the course, you get a shareable UX Research certificate to add to your Linkedin profile.

2. UX Research

Offered by: HEC Montreal via EdX

Reviews: 4.3 ⭐️ (9 ratings)

This UX Research course starts assuming you have no knowledge of the subject and takes you from collecting data to analyzing it and making actionable insights out of it.

This user research course is taught by Professor Sénécal and Professor Grégoire from the marketing department of HEC Montreal.

This course assumes you know nothing about UX Research.

While there are no prerequisites, this UX research bootcamp is unavailable for residents of Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine due to sanctions by the USA.

This is a free UX Research course but you need to choose the paid version, costing 369 USD to get a UX Research certification.

3. Interaction Design Specialization

Offered by: University of California, San Diego via Coursera

Reviews: 4.5 ⭐️ (3,108 ratings)

“The course content was very crisp and easy to understand. The assignments and suggested reading helped me get a better understanding of the topic.”

This specialization is great if you want a broader focus on interaction design. It's also great for those looking for a free UX design bootcamp. It contains 7 different courses covering everything you need to know. Courses 5 and 7 are entirely UX Research courses and should receive the most of your attention. This specialization also ends with a capstone project in which you use your learnings to create a product from scratch and earn a user research certification.

The user research courses in this specialization are taught by three professors from UC San Diego. The lead instructor on UX Research courses is Dr. Liz Gerber . She is the co-director and co-founder (!) of Northwestern University’s Center for Human Computer Interaction + Design. Alumni from this center are now working with giants like Google, Meta, and Slack.

Course 4, ‘Input and Interaction’ and Course 7, ‘Designing, Running, and Analyzing Experiments’, have the following prerequisites:

• A few concepts from advanced Algebra, like how to use logarithms and what a mean and median are. freeCodeCamp has an excellent crash course on College Albebra that you can use to refresh or learn these concepts.
• You won’t need to code from scratch but you’ll have to copy and paste code in the language R. freeCodeCamp has another crash course on R that can help you get more than ready for this course.

The other User Research courses are accessible without any background knowledge.

On completing this free UX research course, you get a UX Research certificate from University of California San Diego. It's a great addition to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV.

4. Conduct UX Research

Offered by: Google via Coursera

Reviews : 4.8 ⭐️ (4,985 ratings)

“The course was great, with detailed explanation and a lot of examples. The assessments and quizzes were very helpful. My experience with this course was really awesome.”

Is Google UX certification worth it?

This course is part of Google's specialization on UX Design. It teaches all the basics of UXR over a month, but you can easily finish it earlier. This user research course has a slightly steep learning curve, but it manages to stay interesting and challenging.

This course was developed by Google as part of their user research certification initiative.

The course is beginner friendly and can be taken without prior knowledge.

Once you're done, you get an employer-recognized certificate from Google, which certifies you for UX design jobs.

Also, check: Bootcamps, breaking into to UX, and Quiet Quitting

6. User Interface Design Specialization

Offered by: University of Minnesota via Coursera

Reviews : 4.6 ⭐️ (1,391 ratings)

“It took 3 times for me to pass the exams. Good content and learnt many things.”

This specialization contains 4 courses that cover designing and testing User Interfaces. Courses 2 and 4 are specifically user research courses but the design specific courses are also worth a look to get a better idea of the UI process.

However, unlike other specializations mentioned above, this one does not come with a capstone project. That might detract from your experience since you won’t get a comprehensive project to test your skills on.

The courses in this specialization were created by five professors from the University of Minnesota. The lead instructor for UX research courses, Dr. Terveen , has published over 100 scientific papers, holds 9 patents, has advised several startup companies, consulted on intellectual property cases, and has held many leadership positions in his profession (Try saying this man's accomplishments in one breath!).

Take a wild guess.

No prerequisites.

You get a UX Research certificate from University of Minnesota if you complete this free UX Research course.

6. Understanding Research Methods

Offered by: University of London via Coursera

Reviews : 4.6 ⭐️ (7,232 ratings)

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

This UX Research course is more academic in nature and will help develop a "research mindset" before you dive into UX Research. It is split into 4 "e-tivities". Each e-tivity starts with instructions for the activity to follow. This is followed by videos of experts giving their views and tips on the topic. Once this is done, you're expected to work on the activity and provide feedback to others who have done the same.

The lead instructor for this UX research course is Dr. Rofe , a widely experienced university lecturer who has taught Diplomacy, International Relations, and History to undergraduates and postgraduates for over fifteen years. We get that this isn’t a UX resume, but his academic research credits are impeccable.

On completing the UX research course, you get a UX Research certificate. It's a great addition to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV.

7. User Experience - Applied Research and Design

Offered by: Skills Gap Trainer via Udemy

Reviews : 4.2 ⭐️ (486 ratings)

"I feel that the samples that were used were very thorough and I will be using it as a guide when creating user research!”

This 57 minute UX research course takes you through the basics of UX Design and Research. The focus is predominantly on research, with five projects to help you understand the concepts practically. This user research course is heavily text-based.

Although it doesn’t work as an independent resource for new UXRs, it will serve as a great guide to have a quick glance at when working on a problem.

This user research course was developed by Skills Gap Trainer, a startup dedicated to creating MOOCs for newcomers to the tech industry.

Also, read: The Newcomer’s Guide to UX Research Careers

This course does not offer a certificate upon completion.

Top Certification for UX Researchers in 2024

‍ nn/g's ux certification.

Offered by: Nielsen Norman Group

"Having the UX Certification adds credibility to my decisions within this industry." - Corey Nunez, UX Designer at Barrick Gold Corporation "The NN/g UX Certification has been instrumental in my career growth. It has provided me with a solid understanding of UX principles and practices, and I now feel confident in my ability to lead UX projects and teams." - Jaime Wolf, Sr. User Experience Designer at Amazon

‍ Instructors

The instructors of the course are experts in the field of UX and are affiliated with the Nielsen Norman Group.

This certification starts at $5,900. It will give you the credibility and knowledge to ensure that your products are useful and don't fail because they are difficult to use and you will learn how to create more successful interfaces is cheap compared with the amount of time and money organizations waste on uninformed design debates, poor decisions and fixing underperforming interfaces.

Additionally, it can boost your credibility by being UX Certified by internationally-recognized experts.

Is NN/g’s certification worth it?

When considering investing in a UX Research certification, Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) often comes to mind as a reputable and well-known provider. However, reviews on whether it’s “worth it” are mixed. 

While some UX-ers felt it was invaluable for the skills it added to their toolkit and the relationships they built along the way , others felt that hiring managers give more weight to on the job experience over certifications .

So will the NN/g certificate help you land a job? Probably not. Will it enable you to hone your UX Research skills and network? Probably.

There are no specific prerequisites for the course, but it is recommended that students have a basic understanding of UX principles and practices.

‍ Folks who complete the course and pass the exams will receive a UX certification. The certification is not accredited, but it is recognized within the industry as a mark of achievement and expertise in UX.

FINAL BONUS: What if you actually have what it takes to steal a diamond necklace worth 150 million dollars from the Met Gala?

Do it. Look how happy those Oceans 8 ladies were.

That’s all folks! Thanks for reading. We hope this list serves as a great resource for you.

If we were a greedy company looking to improve our page ranking, we would ask you to send this to a friend who might find this interesting. But we aren’t a greedy company looking to improve our page ranking, so you can send this to a friend who might find this interesting but we won’t really ask.

Enjoy your career as a UX Researcher!

Don't Miss: Top Upcoming UX Research Conferences to attend in 2024

How Long Does It Take to Learn UX Research Skills?

The short answer: it depends. While you can pick up the core skills of moderating interviews and creating effective surveys relatively quickly through UX research courses or a UX research bootcamp, becoming a seasoned UX researcher takes time and practice.

As you gain more experience conducting interviews, you'll naturally improve at managing bias, asking the right questions, and creating a comfortable environment for participants to share their thoughts and experiences. You'll also learn to read between the lines, pick up on nonverbal cues, and dig deeper to uncover valuable insights.

Beyond the technical skills, a significant part of being a successful UX researcher involves managing stakeholders and communicating your findings effectively . Since you're often not the one acting on the insights you uncover (that's usually the role of a product manager or designer), your ability to convince others of the validity and importance of your findings is crucial. 

Is UX research well paid?

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Voter id at the 2024 uk general election.

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Awareness of the voter id requirement, voter satisfaction and attitudes to the security of the election, summary of recommendations, further information, voter id background.

The 2024 UK Parliamentary general election was held on Thursday 4 July. This was the first time that all voters across the UK were required to show an accepted form of photographic identification at polling stations for a general election.

Most people were aware of the need to bring ID to vote at a polling station

• Our research found that, immediately after polling day, 87% of people in Great Britain were aware that they needed to show photo ID to vote at a polling station. In comparison, 89% of people were aware in Northern Ireland, where the requirement to show photo ID has been in place since 2003.
• The levels of awareness of the need to show photo ID were broadly consistent across the different parts of Great Britain – 87% in England, 90% in Scotland, 89% in Wales.
• While overall awareness levels were high, some groups of people were significantly less likely to know about the requirement. Awareness was lower among younger age groups (71% for 18 to 24-year-olds) and people from ethnic minority communities (76%).
• This means that some people may not have known that they needed to show ID until they arrived at the polling station. Those people who did not have any of the accepted forms of ID could not get ID (for example the Voter Authority Certificate) on polling day itself.

Awareness and take-up of the Voter Authority Certificate was too low

• Approximately 210,000 people applied for a Voter Authority Certificate between January 2023, when the application service launched, and 26 June 2024, which was the application deadline for the UK general election. Around 26,000 certificates were used as a form of ID on 4 July. 
• Awareness of the Voter Authority Certificate was the same among the overall population and among those who said they did not already have photo ID (58% and 57% respectively).
• The overall number of Voter Authority Certificates applied for was low compared with the estimated number of eligible, registered voters who might need it and not have any other accepted ID (around 750,000). 

0.08% of people who tried to vote at a polling station were not able to because of the ID requirement

• Data collected in polling stations shows that 0.08% of people who tried to vote at a polling station were not issued with a ballot paper because they did not have an accepted form of ID. 0.25% of people who tried to vote at a polling station in the UK general election were initially turned away, but around two-thirds of those people returned later in the day with an accepted form of ID and were able to vote. 
• This means that one in 1,200 voters who tried to vote at a polling station were not given a ballot paper at the UK general election due to the ID requirement. In comparison, at the first elections with voter ID in May 2023, the equivalent figure was one in 400 (0.25%).
• In absolute numbers, around 16,000 people across Great Britain were unable to vote in person at the general election due to the requirement to show ID at a polling station. This compares to 14,000 in England at the May 2023 elections.
• The percentage of voters at polling stations who were not issued with a ballot paper because they could not show an accepted form of voter ID varied only slightly between England (0.08%), Scotland (0.09%) and Wales (0.07%). Polling stations with greeters recorded a slightly lower proportion of people turned away (0.07%) compared to those without greeters (0.08%).
• These figures capture the people we know were turned away. However, data collected at polling stations underestimates the impact, partly due to issues with the quality of the data but also because some people will have been reminded of the ID requirement before they went to the polling station. 

Around 4% of people who didn’t vote said this was because of the voter ID requirement

• Some people who would have wanted to vote at a polling station may have decided not to try – either because they realised they did not have any accepted ID or were otherwise deterred by the need to show ID. So they would not be recorded as turned away in the figures above. We carried out a representative public opinion survey to understand this broader impact of the voter ID requirement across Great Britain. Our survey asked people if they voted in the elections and, if not, why they had chosen not to do so.
• We found that 4% of people who said they did not vote at the general election gave an unprompted reason related to the ID rules. When people who didn’t vote were asked to choose from a list of reasons, the proportion of people giving an ID-related reason rose to 10%.

Voter ID affected some people more than others

• The impact of the voter ID requirement was not uniform, because some people are less likely to have accepted photo ID and some people are less likely to be aware of the need to show ID when voting in person.
• However, the evidence on which groups were more affected is mixed. The clearest impact was in relation to social grade. Non-voters in the C2DE social grade were more likely to say they did not vote because they did not have any accepted ID than those in the ABC1 grade. 

Levels of voter confidence and satisfaction were similar to previous elections

• There were high levels of satisfaction with the process of voting, in line with previous comparable elections – 90% of polling station voters said they were very or fairly satisfied. 
• Voters were significantly more likely than non-voters to say that voting is safe. 93% of all voters said voting in a polling station is safe compared to 77% of non-voters. These results are also similar to those recorded after previous comparable elections.  

The Elections Act 2022 introduced the need for voters to show an accepted form o f photo ID to vote in person at a polling station for certain types of elections in Great Britain.

Voters in England first needed to show ID at the May 2023 local elections. We published an interim analysis looking at the implementation of voter ID, as well as a full report on the May 2023 polls . Voters in England again had to show ID at the May 2024 local, mayoral, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

The requirement first applied in Wales at the May 2024 Police and Crime Commissioner elections. The UK general election was the first time all voters in Scotland were asked to show photo ID to vote at a polling station. In Northern Ireland, the requirement to show photo ID when voting in person has been in place since 2003.

Our focus in this report is on how voter ID was implemented across Great Britain at the general election and how voters found this requirement. We have looked at evidence from large-scale public opinion research carried out immediately after the general election, and polling station data collected from local authorities that held polls this year. Figures are for Great Britain unless otherwise stated.

Based on the evidence gathered at the general election and building on our report on the May 2023 polls in England , we recommend a series of changes to improve the accessibility of the policy for voters.  

We have run public awareness campaigns for every election where voters needed to show ID at polling stations since the policy was launched in January 2023.

Our analysis of the voter ID requirement at the May 2023 elections found that awareness levels were high and most people who wanted to vote were able to do so, but that some groups struggled to meet the ID requirement. This was because of two overlapping issues – variations in how many people owned an accepted form of ID and variations in awareness of the new requirement.

For the May 2024 elections and the general election, we targeted campaign activity at  audiences less likely to be aware of the requirement or to have a form of ID already, such as young people and people from ethnic minority communities. Our partnerships work targeted groups who face compounding barriers to voting, including disabled people, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and trans and non-binary people. We emphasised the date of the election and the option of applying for a Voter Authority Certificate  

Most people were aware of the need to bring ID to vote at a polling station 

Our research carried out immediately following the general election found that 87% of people were aware of the need to bring ID when voting in person. This is comparable with levels of awareness at the May 2023 and May 2024 scheduled elections (87% and 84% respectively).

Awareness levels were slightly higher in Scotland and Wales (90% and 89%) compared to England (87%). These are in line with the awareness levels in Northern Ireland (89%), where the requirement to show photo ID has been in place since 2003.

However, as we have previously found, awareness levels varied across the population and were lower for:

• 18 to 24-year-olds (71%) compared to older age groups (at least 91% for those aged 45 and over)
• people from ethnic minority communities (76%) compared to white people (90%)
• people in social grades C2DE (86%) compared to ABC1 (88%). 

Awareness and take-up of the Voter Authority Certificate was low

Voters who did not have one of the accepted forms of ID could apply for free voter ID (called a Voter Authority Certificate). The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for the general election was 5pm on 26 June 2024.

Only 58% of people were aware of the Voter Authority Certificate and this was similar across England, Scotland, and Wales. Awareness of the Voter Authority Certificate was therefore lower than awareness of the need to show ID when voting. This is unsurprising given that only a small proportion of the population might need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. Previous research has shown that around 4% to 6% of people said they did not have a form of accepted ID. However, awareness levels were also no higher (57%) among the specific group that may have needed to know about the certificate – those with no existing photo ID.

Overall, take-up of the Voter Authority Certificate has been limited compared with the number of people who say they do not have an accepted form of ID. Just over 210,000 applications for certificates were submitted between the launch of the service in early 2023 and the deadline for applications at the general election. Around 57,000 applications were submitted between the general election being called and the deadline. This is significantly less than the estimated 750,000 registered electors who our research suggests do not have an accepted form of ID.

Only around 26,000 certificates were used as a form of ID on 4 July. It is not clear why a significant number of people applied for a certificate but did not use it on polling day.

Applications for certificates followed the same pattern we saw at recent local elections with few applications coming from those aged over 65. The age group with the largest number of applications was again the 55 to 64-year-olds. Among those who did apply for a certificate, 86% told us it was easy to do so.

Graph 1:  Voter Authority Certificate applications by age

Graph 1: voter authority certificate applications by age, recommendation 1: improve take-up of the voter authority certificate.

The UK Government should undertake and publish a review of the design, implementation and use of the Voter Authority Certificate, in order to encourage greater take-up and usage by people who don’t have any other form of accepted ID.

This review should consider:

• Whether the deadline for Voter Authority Certificate applications could be moved closer to polling day, to improve availability and accessibility for voters who do not have any other form of accepted ID. The current application deadline of six working days before polling day is significantly earlier than the original policy intention .
• Whether Voter Authority Certificates could be issued digitally, and whether that could reduce reliance on physical printing and postal processes and allow for quicker issuing to voters. The Government should learn from the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) that now issues digital proof of age scheme cards . 

The review should also take into account any learnings from the implementation and take-up of the Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card.

Electoral Registration Officers and their staff must still be able to process applications and issue Voter Authority Certificates to voters in time for them to be able to vote, alongside other essential duties taking place in the days before polling day. Any potential changes to application deadlines must therefore take into account the operational impact and workability of a later deadline. Planning for changes must also consider the level of dependency on printers and postal services to deliver certificates to voters.

Overall impact of the voter ID requirement on polling day

Polling station staff at the ballot issuing desk collected data on the number of people who were not issued with a ballot paper because they did not provide accepted ID. They also recorded if any of these people returned later, and whether they were then able to show accepted ID and vote. The figures in this report are based on data received from 612 of the 632 constituencies in Great Britain.

0.08% of people who tried to vote at a polling station in July 2024 were not able to because of the ID requirement

At least 0.25% of people who tried to vote at a polling station were initially not issued with a ballot paper because they did not have an accepted form of ID. Around two-thirds of these people returned later in the day with an accepted form of ID and were able to vote. 

By the close of poll, 0.08% of people who tried to vote in person were not issued with a ballot paper due to the ID requirement. This means around 16,000 people who tried to vote at a polling station were not issued with a ballot paper because they could not show an accepted form of ID.

The table below sets out how the figures from the general election compare with the scheduled polls in May 2023 and 2024.  

Table 1: Polling station voters who were initially turned away and percentage of those who did not return 

*  May 2024 figures are based on data from the 278 English and Welsh local authorities that submitted figures before the UK general election. Due to the timing of the UK general election, only limited data quality checks were possible on the May 2024 data – data which could not be checked was removed. Absolute numbers are not available for the May 2024 elections

At the UK general election, the proportions of voters not issued with a ballot paper varied only slightly between nations (England 0.08%, Scotland 0.09%, and Wales 0.07%). There was greater variation between individual constituencies – from 0% of those who tried to vote at a polling station through to 0.4%.

The trend in the data above suggests that fewer voters, proportionally, are being affected by the voter ID requirement with each election.

However, we know that the data from polling stations underestimates the impact on voters for two reasons. 

Firstly, not all people who wished to vote in person will have got to the ballot issuing desk and been recorded by staff before realising they did not have accepted ID. For example, greeters were used in some polling stations to welcome voters, remind them about the need to show photographic ID, and help speed up the voting process (they did not have the power to turn people away from polling stations). Voters may therefore have been made aware of the requirement by greeters before they got to the ballot issuing desk where they would have been recorded as unable to vote.

Returning Officers were required to separate out data for polling stations with and without staff acting as greeters. Where data was provided, it appears to show that polling stations with greeters recorded a slightly lower proportion of people turned away (0.07%) compared to those without greeters (0.08%). This suggests that using greeters had only a very small effect on the data collected.

Secondly, and more significantly, some of the data that was returned to us is incomplete or inaccurate. The most common issues we found are:

• data returns being completed incorrectly, for example polling stations with more people returning to vote than were initially turned away
• missing individual pieces of data, for example on the reason why a voter was turned away
• missing returns from polling stations, for example where some stations in a local authority did not submit a data return
• blank returns from polling stations where it is unclear if a blank is equivalent to zero 

It is not possible to quantify the level of inaccuracy in the data but, overall, these types of errors would result in an underestimate of the impact of the ID requirement.

Around 4% of all non-voters said they didn’t vote because of the voter ID requirement

Some people who would have wanted to vote at a polling station may have decided not to try, potentially because they knew or became aware that they did not have accepted ID before attempting to vote. To understand the broader impact of the voter ID requirement, we carried out a representative public opinion survey across Great Britain. Our survey asked people if they voted in the elections and, if not, why they had chosen not to do so.

We found that 4% of the people who said they did not vote gave an unprompted reason that was related to the ID rules. Overall, the most common reasons given for not voting were related to specific circumstances including being too busy or working (10%), being away from home (7%), or medical reasons (10%). Views on politics were also significant reasons given by non-voters, including a lack of interest (9%) or trust in politicians/politics (11%).

The response to this unprompted question was similar in England and Scotland (4% and 5% of non-voters respectively) but was lower in Wales and Northern Ireland (both 1% of non-voters).

To better understand whether the ID requirement had played a role in people’s decision not to vote, we also asked people who did not vote a further prompted question, where they were given several answers from which to choose, rather than giving their own unprompted response. In this case, 10% of people who did not vote said that the ID requirement was the reason why they did not vote.

Graph 2: Non-voters: which of the following describes your experience

Graph 2: non voters: which of the following describes your experience, overall impact of the voter id requirement on polling day - part 2.

Again there was some variation in responses across the four nations, with England and Scotland showing a higher proportion citing voter ID reasons (10% and 12% respectively) than Wales and Northern Ireland (8% and 3%).

Overall trend of the impact on voters remains unclear

The polling station data above suggests a decreasing proportion of people being affected by the voter ID requirement over time. The public opinion data, set out in the table below, also supports this to some extent.

Fewer people gave ID as a reason for not voting in the May 2024 elections compared to May 2023. This suggests an increased understanding of the need to take ID to vote in person – at least among regular, local election voters.

In our previous analysis of voter ID at the local elections in May 2023, we highlighted that the requirement was likely to have a larger impact at higher turnout polls such as a UK general election, where people who do not always vote at local elections may want to take part.

The data from polling stations, showing a decrease in the proportion of voters turned away at each set of polls, does not support that analysis. We know that data underestimates the issue, although we have no evidence to suggest the level of underestimation is different across the three sets of elections (May 2023, May 2024 and the UK general election).

Our public opinion survey does find a larger proportion of non-voters at the UK general election saying (when prompted) that ID was the reason they did not vote compared to the two sets of local elections.

Table 2: Proportion of non-voters giving ID as a reason for not voting (unprompted and prompted)

However, we should be cautious in our interpretation of these results for two reasons:

• Non-voters at local elections are not the same as non-voters at a general election. The former is a much larger group which includes many people who will vote at some local and many general elections. Non-voters at a UK general election is therefore a smaller group and will contain a larger proportion of people who rarely or never vote.
• These are not precise estimates of those affected by the voter ID requirement – they are survey findings, subject to margins of error. 

Therefore, although there is some evidence that the headline impact of the voter ID requirement is decreasing over time, it is still unclear from this data what trend we should expect to see over the next electoral cycle.

We can compare the results to the experience in Northern Ireland at this general election, where photo ID has been required in polling stations since 2003 and where we asked the same questions in our survey. The data from Northern Ireland suggests that, while it may be unrealistic to expect these figures to drop to zero (for a UK general election at least), the wider impact of asking voters to show photo ID can be mitigated over time even at higher turnout polls.

Overall turnout was down but it is not possible to quantify accurately the impact of voter ID

Turnout on 4 July was 59.8%, down from 67.3% in 2019. This is the lowest turnout at a general election since 2001 (59.4%). The evidence from our public opinion survey found that some people who did not vote said it was related to the requirement to show photo ID. The combination of data from polling stations and the survey results also suggest that the impact of the voter ID requirement was felt more heavily by people who did not go to a polling station at all on 4 July, rather than those who tried and failed to show ID.

However, we cannot use these figures to accurately quantify the impact of voter ID on turnout.

Survey data is an estimate which can be subject to two separate errors. One is sampling error. This is limited by the robust, representative sample we have used particularly for the population as a whole, but it can be more of an issue for sub-groups of the population (such as people who didn’t vote).

The second issue is non-sampling error. This includes respondents not answering a question and/or not answering it accurately. We can see one of the impacts of this in the difference between the unprompted and prompted question responses, where respondents may be less likely to give an unprompted answer (even if it would be true) and more likely to give a prompted one (where choosing from a list can invite a response which may or may not be true).

The public opinion survey findings are therefore most useful for giving us a more rounded view of the likely impact of the ID requirement than the data from polling stations provides alone. The figures support our assessment that the polling station data underestimated the impact but they do not allow us to say to what extent turnout would have been higher without the voter ID requirement.

Voter ID affected some people more than others 

In our previous analysis of the impact of the ID requirement at the May 2023 elections, we found that some people, in relation to socio-demographic factors, were more likely to have problems in meeting the ID requirement. 

We concluded that this was the result of two broad factors: some people being less likely to have accepted photo ID and some people being less likely to be aware of the need to show ID when voting in person.

Some groups of people are still less likely to have the ID needed to be able to vote 

We know, from our previous research , that some groups were less likely to have one of the forms of accepted photo ID (in particular those renting from a social landlord, the unemployed, lower social grades, and disabled people).

Our evidence indicates that, at the July 2024 general election, at least some of these groups were more likely to have a problem voting in person as a result of the voter ID requirement.

The clearest evidence relates to the lower, C2DE social grade. When prompted, 10% of people who did not vote said that the ID requirement was the reason, with 6% saying that this was because they did not have the required ID. This was higher for C2DE non-voters compared to ABC1 non-voters (8% compared to 3%). Overall, 7% of C2DE non-voters gave an unprompted reason related to ID for not voting compared to 1% of ABC1 non-voters.

There is some evidence that, compared to the general population, disabled people and the unemployed had more of a problem, when trying to vote, in relation to ID ownership. However, the differences we find in our survey are not statistically significant.

Recommendation 2: Review the list of accepted ID

The UK Government should undertake and publish a review of the current list of accepted forms of ID, to identify any additional documents that could be included to improve accessibility for voters.

This should include a particular focus on forms of ID that would support people who are least likely to have documents on the current list, including people from a lower social grade (C2DE), disabled people, and those who are unemployed. For example, travel passes that have sufficiently secure application processes such as the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card.

The Government should consider whether the security criteria for application and issuing processes are appropriate and proportionate when assessing whether to add new documents to the list. For example, the 18+ Student Oyster photocard.

Any changes to the list of accepted forms of ID should be confirmed in legislation at least six months before polling day, in time for details to be included in public awareness materials and activities, and in guidance for polling station staff ahead of polling day for any scheduled elections.

We will work with the Government to ensure that voter ID can be delivered in a way that is accessible, workable and secure.

Recommendation 3: Provide options for voters who do not have or cannot access any form of accepted ID 

Recommendation 3: provide options for voters who do not have or cannot access any form of accepted id.

The UK Government should enable registered voters who do have accepted ID to make an attestation at their polling station on behalf of someone who does not have any form of accepted ID (also referred to as ‘vouching’).

The voter ID requirement currently assumes that people either have an accepted form of ID or are sufficiently aware and motivated to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by the deadline. This means that voting is effectively not accessible for anyone without ID who misses the application deadline, becomes aware of the requirement and availability of the Voter Authority Certificate close to polling day, or only decides they want to vote on polling day (or close to polling day).

In the limited and exceptional circumstances where a voter cannot access any other form of accepted ID, allowing attestation would still provide a safeguard by requiring a formal link to a named elector who has had their own identity verified. Further options for attestation of a voter’s identity might also be feasible, including by trusted organisations such as local authorities.

As we have highlighted previously, attestations are already a legitimate option for verifying identity in other parts of the electoral process, for example in applications to register to vote and applications for Voter Authority Certificates. Attestations in these circumstances are not subject to any further assurance processes, and the Government should consider whether a different standard remains appropriate for proving identity at the polling station.

Attestation is used in federal elections in Canada as a way to improve the accessibility of their voter ID requirement for particular groups who are less likely to have access to the required proof of ID.

The additional administrative burden of attestation (as compared to presenting another form of accepted ID) would be limited to the time required for the voter and the attestor to complete a declaration form.

Some people did not know they needed to show ID

While awareness of the ID requirement was relatively high, we have set out above how levels of awareness varied across the population. In particular, younger age groups, people from ethnic minority communities, and people in social grade C2DE were less likely to be aware of the ID requirement.

There is some evidence that these lower levels of awareness meant some people were also more likely to have difficulties meeting the ID requirement although the evidence is not conclusive. Our research finds that voters from ethnic minority communities were more likely than white voters to say they originally went to the polling station without ID but returned to vote later (2% of voters from ethnic minority communities compared to 1% of white voters). However, white non-voters were more likely than non-voters from ethnic minority communities to give an unprompted reason for not voting related to ID.

In relation to age, the picture is also mixed. When asked to choose from a list of reasons why they did not vote, overall 4% of non-voters said that this was because they went to vote without the required ID or with an ID that was not accepted. This was higher among 18-to-24-year-old non-voters (6%) and full time students (8%). However, older non-voters were more likely than younger non-voters to give an unprompted reason for not voting related to the ID requirement.

As set out above, the clearest evidence relates to the C2DE social grade where we find non-voters more likely to give reasons related to ID for not voting compared to the ABC1 social grade.

Voter ID did not have a significant impact on the method voters used to cast their vote

We asked voters if they cast their vote in the general election by their preferred method. Overall, 94% of voters said they had used their preferred method indicating that the requirement to show ID did not have a significant impact on choices of voting method.

Polling station voters were more likely to say they voted using their preferred method (96%) compared to postal voters (91%). People who voted by post, and indicated this was not their preferred method of voting, tended to say they had opted to vote by post as they were unable to get to a polling station on 4 July (often because of holiday commitments). However, a small proportion said their decision to vote by post was because of voter ID – either because they or their partner did not have ID or because they do not support the policy.  

After each election we ask people who were eligible to vote for their views on voting and elections. This helps us understand if views have changed since the last comparable set of elections.

Levels of satisfaction with voting in polling stations were similar to previous elections

There were high levels of satisfaction with the process of voting, in line with previous comparable elections, with 90% of polling station voters saying they were very or fairly satisfied with the process. The variation in satisfaction with the process of voting across different demographic groups followed similar patterns to previous elections. There were no differences in polling station voter satisfaction across the four nations.

We also asked voters to rate the ease of participation in the poll on a scale from one to five – 90% rated it as easy (four or five). There is some variation in the level of ease reported by different groups, for example older age groups found it easier to participate than younger age groups. However, as with voter satisfaction, this pattern is similar to previous polls before the introduction of voter ID.

Voters thought the elections were safe and secure

Our survey of the public asked everyone who said they had voted to rate the security of voting in the election on a scale from one to five – 84% of polling station voters rated it as secure (four or five). We also asked polling station voters how safe they felt polling station voting was from fraud – 89% said it was safe.

Voters were significantly more likely than non-voters to say that voting is safe – 93% of all voters said voting in a polling station is safe compared to 77% of non-voters.

These results are similar to those recorded after previous comparable elections .

Throughout the year, we collect data from all police forces across the UK on allegations of electoral fraud that they receive and investigate, including allegations of polling station personation. We will publish electoral fraud data for elections that took place in 2024 by end of March 2025.  

• Whether the deadline for Voter Authority Certificate applications could be moved closer to polling day, to improve availability and accessibility for voters who do not have any other form of accepted ID. The current application deadline of six working days before polling day is significantly earlier than the original policy intention

The review should also take into account any learnings from the implementation and take-up of the Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card. 

Electoral Registration Officers and their staff must still be able to process applications and issue Voter Authority Certificates to voters in time for them to be able to vote, alongside other essential duties taking place in the days before polling day. Any potential changes to application deadlines must therefore take into account the operational impact and workability of a later deadline. Planning for changes must also consider the level of dependency on printers and postal services to deliver certificates to voters.  

We will work with the Government to ensure that voter ID can be delivered in a way that is accessible, workable and secure  

Attestation is used in federal elections in Canada as a way to improve the accessibility of their voter ID requirement for particular groups who are less likely to have access to the required proof of ID. 

The additional administrative burden of attestation (as compared to presenting another form of accepted ID) would be limited to the time required for the voter and the attestor to complete a declaration form.  

Timeline for voter ID in Great Britain

The Elections Act 2022 introduced a new requirement for voters to show an accepted form of photo ID to vote in person at a polling station for certain types of elections in Great Britain. The requirement was first in force at the 2023 local elections in England.

• May 2018: pilot schemes trialling a voter ID requirement held at local elections in five areas in England
• May 2019: further pilot schemes trialling a voter ID requirement held at local elections in 10 areas in England
• July 2021: Elections Bill introduced in Parliament
• April 2022: Elections Act received Royal Assent
• December 2022: Parliament approved the detailed secondary legislation specifying how the new requirement should be delivered
• 9 January 2023: Electoral Commission public awareness campaign for the 2023 English local elections started
• 16 January 2023: launch of the online Voter Authority Certificate application service  
• 4 May 2023: first time voters in England were required to show photo ID at local elections
• Tuesday 20 June – Monday 31 July 2023: recall petition in Rutherglen and Hamilton West , first time voters in an area of Scotland had to show photo ID. Voters in this constituency were also required to show ID at the subsequent by-election on 5 October 2023.
• 2 May 2024: local, mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections across England and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in Wales. This was the first time voters in Wales were required to show photo ID
• 22 May 2024: UK Parliamentary general election is called
• 23 May 2024: Electoral Commission general election campaign begins
• 26 June 2024 (5pm): deadline for Voter Authority Certificate applications for the UK Parliamentary general election
• 4 July 2024: UK Parliamentary general election  

Our role in raising public awareness

We have run public awareness campaigns for every election where voters needed to show ID at polling stations since the policy came into force. Our first campaign, which ran ahead of the May 2023 elections, aimed to reach all eligible voters in England (excluding London), as well as greater targeting in areas where elections were taking place. Our post-poll research found that awareness levels were high and most people who wanted to vote were able to do so, but that some groups struggled to meet the ID requirement. This was because of two overlapping issues – variations in how many people owned an accepted form of ID and variations in awareness of the new requirement.

For the May 2024 elections, therefore, we targeted campaign activity at audiences less likely to be aware of the requirement or to have a form of ID already, such as young people and people from ethnic minority communities. Partnership work targeted groups who face compounding barriers to voting, including disabled people, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and trans and non-binary people. We emphasised the date of the election and the option of applying for a Voter Authority Certificate. This was the first time our awareness campaign ran in Wales and London.

Between the May 2023 and May 2024 elections, we also ran targeted two-week campaigns ahead of parliamentary by-elections. The campaigns included paid-for advertising on digital and print press channels, partnership activity and press support for the local council.

Aside from the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election and preceding recall petition, there had not been an election in Scotland where voters had to show photo ID. To raise awareness in Scotland, we launched a six-week campaign, starting on 22 April 2024, to raise awareness ahead of an anticipated UK general election.

Our general election public awareness campaign, as with the previous campaigns, included:

• paid-for advertising across mass offline and targeted online channels including TV, radio, print, out of home, social media, digital (e.g. website banners, paid search), video on demand, and digital audio
• partnership work with local authorities and civil society organisations representing voter groups less likely to have ID
• earned media coverage and a programme of radio and TV interviews
• owned media via our own social channels and website.

Our general election campaign began within 24 hours of the election being called. We undertook media appearances the day after the announcement, digital advertising began within 48 hours, and offline media advertising followed approximately one week later across England, Wales, and Scotland.

The campaign reminded voters of the requirement to show ID when voting, and encouraged those without ID to apply for free voter ID ahead of the deadline. Our key audiences included people who are less likely to have ID or be aware of the requirement. Some of these were easier to reach through paid-for advertising and media engagement, such as 18-to-24-year-olds and people from ethnic minority communities. As we did ahead of the May 2024 elections, we supported others facing compounding barriers through our partnership work

Supporting evidence

Download a pdf version of this report, related content, report on the may 2023 local elections in england, report on the may 2023 local elections in northern ireland, uk parliamentary by-elections in 2023, reporting on elections.