User experience (UX) researcher

UX researchers conduct research to find out about users’ behaviours and needs. They use this research to provide valuable insights that help with the website design experience. UX researchers also work on creating the website content and design.

Starting your career

Subject choices

To get into a course that could lead to a role as a UX researcher, useful subjects include:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Computing Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Media
  • Design and Technology

Work placements and volunteering

You might want to get some experience of working in healthcare by doing a work placement. There may also be opportunities to volunteer. This could help you when applying to university, college or a new job with NHSScotland.

Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeships

A Foundation Apprenticeship could give you the skills, knowledge and work experience you need to begin your career journey as a UX researcher.

Find out more about the Modern Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.

Modern Apprenticeships

You may want to begin or continue developing your skills and experience with a relevant Modern Apprenticeship.

Learn about a Modern Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.

College and University

You’re likely to need a relevant degree to work as a UX researcher. Useful degrees include:

  • Computing Science
  • Design
  • Anthropology
  • Psychology
  • Web Design and Development
  • Graphic Design
  • Product Design
  • Human Computer Interaction
  • Many Scottish universities deliver courses in this area. Make sure to check specific entry requirements before applying.

If you’re an adult with few or no qualifications, you could get into higher education through the Scottish Widening Access Programme (SWAP). The programme supports adult learners who would like to do a degree.

Many universities also provide access programmes to help you get the degree entry qualifications you need.

Search for college or university courses on My World of Work.

The role

As an NHSScotland UX researcher, you could be working in:

  • NHS Education for Scotland
  • NHS Digital Services
  • NHS National Services Scotland

What you’ll do

Tasks include:

  • meeting with citizens and colleagues to find out what needs to be researched, designed and tested
  • conducting quantitative and qualitative research
  • writing and presenting complex information clearly
  • prototyping and user testing your designs
  • making sure your designs comply with relevant laws and policies
  • sharing your knowledge and ideas within a multidisciplinary team

Top skills

You’ll need these skills:

  • communication
  • creativity
  • teamwork
  • accuracy
  • organisation
  • flexibility

You should have experience of:

It might also be helpful to have knowledge of:

  • Jira

Who you’ll work with

UX researchers usually work in a team with other digital professionals. The delivery team includes these roles:

  • UI developer
  • UX designer
  • software engineer
  • content designer
  • product owner
  • web developer

Working environment

UX researchers can work in an office or remotely.

Learning and development

If you’re interested in further development as a UX researcher, you could do a master’s degree in a relevant field. A master’s degree in Human Computer Interaction or User Experience Design will help build your skills and knowledge.

With additional knowledge and experience, you could progress into a senior role, such as:

  • senior UX researcher
  • principal or lead UX researcher

Professional bodies