Digital User Experience (UX) Professional
An innovative blend of higher education and work-based learning, this programme will help to build sought-after UX skills to drive better online experiences in a wide range of businesses.
Employers and Apprentices Information
Employers
- Attract talented new recruits to grow sought-after UX skills, or reward high potential existing employees with career-enhancing qualifications
- Quickly develop employees into confident and capable professionals who can make a difference in a wide range of businesses, from the creative industries to tech, manufacturing to finance
- Manchester Metropolitan was named Digital Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2023.
Our employers say
“The digital skills shortage affects us as much as other organisations… the apprentices have been absolutely brilliant. They really have surpassed our expectations,” says Val Kelley of the BBC.
Apprentices
- Based in the new £35m, pioneering School of Digital Art (SODA) building, which is helping to develop the creative digital and tech talent needs of the economy, and build Greater Manchester’s growth as a digital and media hub
- Learn the academic foundations that enable you to investigate, analyse and design successful experiences for digital products and services
- You will be supported throughout the degree apprenticeship with a workplace supervisor and a skills coach at the University to quickly develop your skills
Our apprentices say
“Since starting my degree apprenticeship, I’ve been involved in several exciting projects such as re-designing apps and creating an app from scratch, and presenting it to heads of departments across the business,” says Mason Duxbury of Bentley Motors.
About this Programme
Developed with leading employers and industry groups, the Digital User Experience (UX) Degree Apprenticeship builds essential skills for delivering high quality online products and services.
Demand for these skills is increasing across all sectors, particularly creative, tech, manufacturing and finance.
This flexible qualification is ideal for apprentices working in a range of digital roles, including user interface designer, user researcher, interaction designer and product manager.
To find out more about how you can partner with us to offer degree apprenticeships within your organisation, fill out our contact form, email apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk, or call 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday).
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Programme content
Apprentices will develop the fundamental skills for a successful career in user experience (UX) design and management.
The core curriculum combines workplace training with an academic programme that shows how to investigate, analyse and design online interactions. It equips apprentices with the skills to deliver, improve and optimise digital products and services.
Year one
- UX Origins and Applications
- UX Methods
- UX Human Contexts
- UX System Contexts
- UX Practices 1: Making
- UX Practices 2: Communicating
Year two
- Creativity through Research
- Applying Creativity through Research
- Ethics, Rights and Research
- Ethical Considerations in UX
- UX Practices 3: Building, specialising in one of:
- Code
- Design
- Storytelling
- Sound
Year three
- Psychology and Behaviour
- Psychological Research Methods
- UX in the Business
- Conversion and UX
- UX Toolkit
- UX Toolkit: Iteration
Year four
- UX Futures
- UX Futures: Leadership
- Final Project and Assessment
The apprenticeship will also help develop transferable skills in communication, presentation and team working, quickly building the confidence to work successfully with clients and colleagues.
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Programme length and approach
The programme is taught part-time over four years on our campus in central Manchester.
Teaching is based in the new £35m, specialist School of Digital Arts building.
Each year there will be around 24 days of classroom learning, organised into six blocks of four days – mirroring the sprint approach common in digital projects. A skills coach at the University and a workplace supervisor undertake regular progress reviews and support apprentices in their work and studies.
As well as lectures on campus, apprentices complete projects in their workplace, tackling challenges relevant to their employer. These will typically involve designing and optimising digital products and services.
There is also an induction week to help apprentices get to know each other and balance undergraduate-level study with working full-time.
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Qualifications awarded
All successful graduates are awarded a BSc (Hons) Digital User Experience (UX) degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as a Level 6 degree apprenticeship.
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Entry requirements
Applicants can be existing employees looking to develop their careers or new recruits aiming to get working life off to a flying start. They must:
- Be 18 or older
- Have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for funding
- Meet course entry requirements
Applicants should have a minimum of 104 UCAS points at A-level (grades BCC) or an equivalent (e.g. BTEC DMM).
They also need GCSE Mathematics and English Language (grade A*-C / 9-4) or equivalent – or must complete Level 2 Functional Skills qualification alongside the apprenticeship. There are no additional costs for these qualifications.
We will evaluate any applicants who do not have these qualifications, but have relevant workplace experience or have completed an equivalent Level 3 apprenticeship.
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Funding
Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.
Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.
Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship programme.
Additional incentives are also available to employers who take on young apprentices.
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Next steps
If you are an employer
We will support you every step of the way to offer apprenticeships at your organisation, whether you intend to upskill current employees or attract new recruits.
You can speak to us via our contact form, by emailing apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk or by calling 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday).
If you are an employee
If you are already employed, encourage your employer to contact us to discuss offering an apprenticeship.
If you are a student
Sign up to our Degree Apprenticeship mailing list to get alerts about vacancies and events.
For more information and advice on applying for an apprenticeship, visit our guide.
