Work placements and careers

Our extensive links with designers, suppliers, manufacturers, specialists and professionals within the interior design and garden design industries allow us to offer our students unmatched opportunities to work on live design projects, work shadowing and employment opportunities.

As part of our commitment to offering industry-ready qualifications, our students are offered guidance on CV preparation, portfolio presentation, professional practice and upon graduation; our careers service also helps graduates find internships, job placements and freelance appointments utilising our jobs board. 

As part of our validated onsite courses, work shadowing is organised for students during holiday breaks. For online courses, we can connect students to local alums (if available) who can offer guidance on proactively approaching interior design or architectural firms about career opportunities and progression. For our non-validated industry-recognised courses, students also benefit from access to the jobs board and career advice should they need it.

Our alumni network provides a unique hub of international creative individuals and aims to keep them connected with West Dean and other graduates via news updates, careers support, networking opportunities and an established event programme.