Design meaningful human-centred digital experiences, leverage AI to enhance workflows, and build a portfolio that gets you hired—no prior tech experience required.
Excited to create impactful digital experiences that people love?
Dive into the exciting world of UX design, where creativity meets technology – and now, AI. You will learn how to create intuitive, human-centred products that genuinely improve lives. Through practical research, design thinking methods, and user testing, you will solve real problems with empathy and insight.
Master industry tools and discover how AI can enhance your designs and streamline your workflow. From wireframes to prototypes, you’ll bring ideas to life and build the skills to confidently collaborate in professional UX teams.
Our programme is divided into two phases, designed to provide the professional skills and then real-world experience. On completion of a phase, you are going to be awarded a micro-credential to recognise your achievements and progress. Each phase is 'by invite' only.
Design meaningful, user-first digital experiences.
This phase focuses on understanding user needs and creating intuitive, accessible designs. You'll use industry tools like Figma and apply AI in your research, ideation, and content generation workflows. By the end, you’ll have created a polished UX case study for your portfolio.
- UX Fundamentals: Discover the essentials of usability, user flows, design thinking, and the core principles that drive effective UX design.
- User Research and Empathy: Learn how to conduct meaningful user interviews, develop empathy maps, personas, and map engaging customer journeys.
- Information Architecture: Organise digital content effectively to create intuitive navigation and improve user experience.
- Interactive Prototyping: Master Figma to rapidly build prototypes, interactive components, and dynamic designs that bring your ideas to life.
- Usability Testing and Iteration: Learn how to plan, conduct, and analyse usability tests to continuously refine your designs.
- Leveraging AI in UX Design: Explore practical ways to integrate AI tools into your UX workflow, from automating repetitive tasks and generating design inspiration to enhancing user research insights.
- Agile Mindset and Scrum: Understand Agile principles and Scrum methodologies, and learn how UX designers collaborate effectively in Agile development teams.
- Presenting Your Designs: Develop the skills to communicate your design concepts with clarity and confidence, showcasing your work effectively to stakeholders.
- Emerging Tech, Ethics and Accessibility: Understand how emerging technologies like AI impact UX, and learn how to design ethically, inclusively, and responsibly.
- Career Preparation: Build your professional profile, strengthen your portfolio, and prepare for job interviews, positioning you effectively for UX design opportunities.
Gain real-world experience and industry-ready confidence.
In this final phase, you’ll apply your skills in a professional environment—working on real design and front-end projects alongside a team. You’ll receive mentorship, iterate based on feedback, and collaborate using Agile practices. By the end, you'll have real industry work to showcase and the confidence to step into your first UX role.
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
Clarity. Proof. Personality.
In interviews, stories matter more than buzzwords. Can you describe a time when something didn’t go to plan — and what you did next? Can you speak about your projects with ownership, not as a passive participant?
On LinkedIn:
LinkedIn isn’t just a CV. It’s a narrative. Make it yours.
The traditional idea of an “entry-level” job — low responsibility, lots of hand-holding — is vanishing. In its place is a new kind of role: small team, high ownership, fast learning curve.
This suits the Mission Ready model. You’ll finish the programme having already delivered work for a real client. That shifts you from “graduate” to “junior with experience.”
MBIE’s 2023 labour market update shows persistent demand in NZ for digitally capable workers — especially those who can operate independently. So yes, the jobs are there. But they go to people who show up ready to contribute, not just ready to learn.
Mission Ready HQ has recently expanded its innovative tech career accelerators to Australia, with the first intake commencing in May 2025. This expansion allows Australian candidates to benefit from Mission Ready's industry-driven training and strong partnerships with over 280 leading companies, including prominent organisations such as Datacom, Spark, and AWS.
Additionally, Mission Ready HQ has been recognised as a Top Category 1 Provider by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) in the 2023 External Evaluation Review (EER). This top-tier rating is globally acknowledged, underscoring the institution's commitment to delivering high-quality education and enhancing its reputation as a trusted and reliable education provider.
ITENZ Provider of the Year: In 2023 and 2024, Mission Ready HQ was honoured with the Independent Tertiary Education New Zealand (ITENZ) Provider of the Year award, along with the Supreme Award, the highest accolade for Tertiary Education Institutes in New Zealand.
Finalist for Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector: In 2024 and 2025, Mission Ready HQ was named a finalist in the Best Contribution to the NZ Tech Sector category at the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards, underscoring its impactful role in advancing the nation's tech industry.
Want to take this to the next step?
Combine the AI Powered Accelerator with AI Powered Front End Development to gain an extra edge and join the AI Powered Technical UX Designer Diploma.
Perfect for:
No previous tech or design experience is required — just your enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn.
The NZQA External Evaluation and Review (EER) is a process conducted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to assess the performance of non-university tertiary education organisations (TEOs) in New Zealand. It’s essentially an independent quality assurance checkup for institutions offering post-secondary education.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) awarded us as a Category 1 Provider in the 2023 External Evaluation Review (EER).
You can read the full report here.
Mentored work experiences are structured programmes where you engage in practical work activities under the guidance and supervision of experienced mentors. These experiences are designed to provide real-world exposure, skills development, and professional growth within a specific field or industry.
Mission Ready works with 300+ industry partners to provide mentored work experiences.
Participants work on actual projects or tasks that contribute to their understanding of the industry, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. In addition to technical skills, mentored work experiences develop communication and teamwork skills that are so important in the modern work place.
Our facilitators match participants to mentors to provide you with valuable feedback, insights, and referrals.
The mentors, are experienced professionals who have agreed to provide guidance, feedback, and support. They help mentees navigate challenges, understand industry norms, and develop professionally.
These experiences often enable participants to connect with professionals in their field, expanding their professional network and opening doors to future job opportunities.
For many, these experiences can lead to employment opportunities within the host organisation or with others in the industry, based on the skills and relationships developed during the program.
Mentored work experiences are part of our Level 6 programmes.
This Level 5 Micro-credential is crafted for:
Upon successful completion, you’ll be primed to join the Level 6 Micro-credential, focusing on advanced digital product design and real-world work placement projects. This is your chance to hone your skills, enhance work readiness, and solidify your position as a UX Designer.
Your commitment is crucial.
Full-time students should aim for 30-35 hours weekly, while part-time students should allocate 15 – 17.5 hours per week.
Engage with online resources, classroom sessions, and assessments diligently.
For Level 6, a commitment of 40 hrs per week is essential. No part-time option is currently available.
After successfully completing Level 5 training, you can go into our Applied Technology Product Solutions accelerator (Level 6) to gain work experience.
After completing mentored work experience, you will be ready to look for your first piece of work in the tech industry. Our job coach will work with you to maximise your chance of getting employment.
By the end of the Level 5 Training Scheme, you will be able to:
By the end of the Level 6 Training Scheme, you will be able to:
You will need a working laptop or PC with the following minimum specification:
Optionally, an additional monitor will make your life better 😊
You may need to incur the following costs:
Note: Fees and details are subject to change based on government policies and other factors.