10 Best Free UX/UI Design Courses In 2025 That Are Worth Your Time

Are you considering entering the world of UX/UI design without investing thousands of dollars in a boot camp? The demand for UX and UI designers is exploding, and more people are discovering that you don't need to go the expensive route to build fundamental skills.

But with so many “free” courses floating around the internet, how do you separate the genuinely valuable ones from those just trying to upsell you? We’ve done the digging for you. Below are ten solid, completely free UX/UI design courses that deliver real learning—without the bait-and-switch.

Let’s break them down, course by course.

When it comes to big names, Google always grabs attention. This UX certificate is part of Coursera’s professional certification series—but here’s the catch: you can audit the entire course for free if you skip the certificate.

Over seven modules, you’ll go from beginner to job-ready. You’ll learn UX research, wireframing, and prototyping in Figma and even receive coaching on building your portfolio.

Why it’s great: It’s thorough, self-paced, and beginner-friendly. You’ll walk away with a project-based portfolio if you follow through.

Bonus tip: Select "Audit" when you enrol—no need to pay for the certificate unless you want one.

Short on time? This course provides a concise and clear introduction to UX in just 5 hours. Taught by Dr Rosa I. Arriaga, it focuses on the fundamentals: user research, human-centred design, usability principles, and evaluation.

It’s theory-heavy, but that’s not a bad thing. If you want to understand why certain UX decisions are essential, this course provides a strong foundation.

Best for: Newcomers who want a lightweight but well-structured start.

This is an excellent place to start if you're still unsure whether UX is the right fit for you. Springboard's free UX course is text-based, super digestible, and covers everything from usability heuristics to user personas and journey maps.

What makes it work: It’s clear, non-intimidating, and backed by real-world examples. You can complete it in a weekend or stretch it across a few weeks.

Pro tip: Check out their recommended reading and tools section—it’s gold.

Would you prefer to learn visually? Adobe-certified instructor Daniel Walter Scott hosts this free, full-length UI/UX design course. It teaches you how to use Adobe XD while also diving into UI/UX fundamentals.

It’s super beginner-friendly and hands-on—perfect if you learn better by watching and doing.

Heads-up: While it leans on Adobe XD, the skills transfer well to other tools like Figma or Sketch.

This isn't your traditional course. It's a series of short lessons packed into one clean, scrollable page. No sign-ups, no videos—just pure value.

Topics include everything from content hierarchy to the psychology of form design. It’s quick, insightful, and perfect for daily micro-learning.

Why it stands out: It’s the UX 101 you wish you’d had before jumping into projects.

While most of IDF’s content is locked behind a paywall, their free tier still grants access to some excellent material. The “UX Design for Beginners” and “Get Your First Job as a UX Designer” tracks are both accessible without upgrading.

It’s written by experts, self-paced, and rich with industry insights.

Great if: You want well-researched, academically grounded content you can trust.

Let's face it—Figma has become the industry darling for UI design. And their own Learn hub is arguably one of the most underutilised free resources available.

From beginner workflows to advanced prototyping, these tutorials are super crisp, interactive, and built right into the tool.

Tip: Combine these with a free Figma account and start designing right away. No downloads, no nonsense.

SuperHi is best known for its beautifully designed premium courses, but it also offers a free introductory class to digital design that blends UI/UX principles with practical design exercises.

Expect real talk—this course doesn’t sugarcoat how hard design can be, but it also makes learning enjoyable and visual.

An incredible perk: Their tone is refreshing and non-academic, making everything feel more relatable.

This one’s a hidden gem. When you sign up, you’ll get a 6-day mini-course delivered to your inbox, each focusing on a key UX topic. It’s a mix of theory and hands-on practice.

What’s included: Wireframing exercises, user flow breakdowns, and practical design tasks using free tools.

Who it's for: People dipping their toes into UX, especially those making a career switch.

This course bundle comprises five courses that cover UX research, wireframing, mockups, and brand design. Created by the California Institute of the Arts, the series has a visual design tilt, making it perfect for aspiring UI designers.

Like the Google cert, you can audit all courses for free—skip the certificate.

Why it's valuable: It strikes a nice balance between art and functionality. You'll emerge with a better eye and a deeper understanding of how design decisions impact usability.

Free is great. But free without structure? That’s a fast track to overwhelm.

Here’s how to stay on track:

Pick two or three courses that complement each other (e.g., one theory-based, one tool-focused, one project-oriented).

Set weekly learning goals. Don’t binge—design learning needs time to sink in.

Build while you learn. Use Figma or Adobe XD to work on mini-projects.

Document everything. Create a design journal or portfolio early, even if it's just screenshots and notes.

And remember: The real magic of UX/UI isn't just in watching tutorials—it's in practising, iterating, and solving real user problems.

You don't need a fancy degree or a massive budget to break into UX/UI in 2025. These ten free courses prove that the knowledge is out there—you need to show up and put in the work.

Whether you’re a curious creative, a frustrated coder looking to switch lanes, or just someone who loves solving user problems, there’s something on this list that can spark your journey.

And once you’ve got the basics down? Start building, start sharing, and let your portfolio speak louder than any certificate ever could.