New UX design apprenticeship to upskill and reskill Cumbria’s workforce
During National Apprenticeship Week 2025, the University of Cumbria is announcing the launch of its new Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Degree Apprenticeship. The university’s new specialist apprenticeship will start in September 2025, delivered from its Carlisle campus.
UX is a fundamental aspect of modern business strategy to drive growth and success. A first for Cumbria, the programme will support regional businesses in upskilling and reskilling the workforce and attract new talent.
A Universities UK study* highlights that 88 per cent of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level therefore the introduction of this degree apprenticeship will help support businesses across Cumbria and beyond to build resilience in today’s digital age. As technology evolves, the expectations of a user will continue to rise and investing in UX design allows businesses to stay ahead of trends and meet future demands.
Roy Chilvers, a higher education consultant in User-Centred Design who worked with the academic team to design the new course for the university, said
“The course is for those who are working for an employer in a suitable role, with a desire to undertake training and skills in this important area.
“They’ll be able to study for a degree as an apprentice alongside their job, so having focus and drive to be organised and motivated to stretch, gain knowledge, and apply skills to growing in work are all the soft skills that underpin successful apprenticeships at this level.
“Creating this course will enable learners to develop skills to fit the needs of their workplace while transforming the business sectors of now and the future.”
UX design is focussed on how a person feels when interacting with a product or service, for example when looking at a website or platform. UX designers have a focus on ensuring products are easy to use, enjoyable and, meets the user’s needs, considering areas such as efficiency, ease of use and satisfaction.
University of Cumbria Pro Vice Chancellor (Growth and Development), Claire Aindow, said
“Our university’s mission is to inspire and equip our graduates, enabling our communities to thrive within a buoyant economy and sustainable environment. Horizon scanning to ensure that we develop programmes which meet the current and future demands of our region is vital to support growth in Cumbria, north Lancashire and beyond.
“Our new UX course exemplifies our response to changing business need and will provide opportunities for graduates to have real business impact, now and into the future.”
Details of the programme can be found:
Notes to editors
To contact the university's communications team about this story, please contact news@cumbria.ac.uk.