User Experience Design (BDes)

Combine your interest in design, people and technology and learn how to make a person’s experience with a product, service or environment a positive one. With UX professionals in high demand and ranked among the top 10 best jobs, you could work in a wide range of industries including retail, medicine, technology, finance, education and government.  

Offered exclusively at Laurier Brantford, you will learn both the theory and practical tools used by UX designers in today’s industry. Graduate ready to join a professional community creating something new for the world by combining creativity, strategic design thinking, user research and social awareness. 

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

  • Industry-Informed Curriculum
    Get your information and skills right from the source. Industry partners have played a significant role in informing the UX curriculum. They have a continuing interest in supporting Laurier students, partnering on portfolio-building classwork, co-op placements, workshops, internships and employment opportunities.
  • Career-Focused Learning
    UX students are trained to understand the pain points in human experiences and design real solutions. Projects and core principles from this program are transferable to various workplaces and industries.
  • Pathway to Teaching
    Looking ahead to a career in education? Apply to the User Experience Design with Teaching Option program to get a head-start on your next step.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Co-op
    You can apply for co-op at the end of your second year. Develop skills and gain real-world experience in the career path of your interest with our awarded co-op program.
  • Professional Experience
    Gain practical entrepreneurial experience through LaunchPad Brantford. Work with real-world design challenges and real clients throughout your courses starting in first year.
  • Competitions
    Take part in Laurier's UX Design for Change competition and present your work for a chance to win a cash prize.
  • Active Learning
    Get hands-on training in usability testing, interface design, storyboarding, graphic design, web prototyping, prototyping, wireframing and more.

Courses, Options and Pathways

Courses

Get a glimpse of what you will study throughout your degree. See what your first-year classes will look like through sample courses and start exploring what your upper academic years can offer.

Program Options

Explore a variety of courses, specializations and pathway options that let you shape your degree around your unique interests and goals. Find out how you can customize your experience and prepare for what’s next.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term), January (winter term) or May (spring term)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • user experience designer
  • user researcher
  • information architect
  • interaction designer
  • lead designer
  • marketing director
  • senior user experience consultant
  • startup lead
  • usability analyst
  • visual designer
  • web content designer

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network and graduate with work experience.

You are required to apply for admission to co-op at the end of second year and participate in a competitive entry process. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 months.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

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99%employment rate for co‑op students – 2024 / 2025

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Center for World University Rankings

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2024

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2024

Brantford Campus

The Brantford campus blends small-city charm with big opportunities. It’s home to more than 2,400 students learning in modern classrooms inside beautifully restored buildings, with access to recreation at the Laurier Brantford YMCA and one-stop student services within One Market. With affordable living options, 20+ programs to choose from, great walking and biking trails and a welcoming community, Laurier Brantford is the ideal place to live and learn.

There are many ways to tour our Brantford campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

students in a classroom

Delivered In Person

Join us on campus and experience university life firsthand.

You can complete your program primarily through in-person courses where you will attend classes in a physical classroom on scheduled days and times, which you will see and choose from when you register for courses. 

Connect face-to-face with your professors, learn alongside your classmates and be part of the campus community from day one.  

Hear From Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be a Laurier Golden Hawk? Student Life at Laurier is your social media source to get unfiltered content, first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 519.884.0710 x3385 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?