Grow Your Own Way
The edge Graduate to Director Programme
We are edge, and we don’t do conveyor-belt style learning.
We’re a creative, interdisciplinary studio who believe in celebrating each person and their unique personality, so our approach to early-careers is focused on you as an individual. Our graduate training programme is tailored to your interests and experience, so you can shape your skills and find your passion within our team. Whether you’re a tech whizz, people person or visual storyteller, there’s room for you here – and if you’re not sure what you are yet, that’s fine too! We’ll help you write your own story and discover what makes you, you, together!
Grow Your Own Way
The edge Graduate to Director Programme
We are edge, and we don’t do conveyor-belt style learning. We’re a creative, interdisciplinary studio who believe in celebrating each person and their unique personality, so our approach to early-careers is focused on you as an individual.
Our graduate training programme is tailored to your interests and experience, so you can shape your skills and find your passion within our team. Whether you’re a tech whizz, people person or visual storyteller, there’s room for you here – and if you’re not sure what you are yet, that’s fine too! We’ll help you write your own story and discover what makes you, you, together!
We value your potential over your past experience.
Alongside a degree in a relevant subject related to urban design, we’d love to hear from candidates with:
- An enthusiastic, innovative and pro-active approach to work.
- Effective organisation and time management skills.
- Excellent verbal, visual and written communication skills.
- The ability to positively contribute to and engage with teamworking.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Experience using software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
We value your potential over your past experience.
Alongside a degree in a relevant subject related to urban design, we’d love to hear from candidates with:
- An enthusiastic, innovative and pro-active approach to work.
- Effective organisation and time management skills.
- Excellent verbal, visual and written communication skills.
- The ability to positively contribute to and engage with teamworking.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Experience using software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
At a glance
Are we a good fit? Before you read on, here are the Graduate to Director programme key details!
Hours
The role is full time: 35 hours per week Monday to Friday.
Location
You’ll be based at either our Thame or Birmingham HQ (with some hybrid work from home days).
Qualifications
To apply you’ll need a degree in a relevant subject related to urban design.
Deadline
Applications are closed for 2026, opening again in March 2027.
At a glance
Are we a good fit? Before you read on, here are the Graduate to Director programme key details!
Hours
The role is full time: 35 hours per week Monday to Friday.
Location
You’ll be based at either our Thame or Birmingham HQ (with some hybrid work from home days).
Qualifications
To apply you’ll need a degree in a relevant subject related to urban design.
Deadline
Applications are closed for 2026, opening again in March 2027.
Why grow your own way?
On the edge Graduate to Director programme, you will:
- Develop core urban design skills and work towards becoming an Urban Design Group Practitioner.
- Benefit from a work culture that values each person and their unique personality. We celebrate diversity in people and in thought!
- Experience our bespoke approach to early careers, with a training programme that is tailored to your skills, interests and passions.
- Gain exposure to every aspect of the business, from community workshops and design charettes to business strategy and site visits.
- Be supported with dedicated personal mentoring from an experienced member of team edge.
Why Grow Your Own Way?
On the edge Graduate to Director programme, you will:
- Develop core urban design skills and work towards becoming an Urban Design Group Practitioner.
- Benefit from a work culture that values each person and their unique personality. We celebrate diversity in people and in thought!
- Experience our bespoke approach to early careers, with a training programme that is tailored to your skills, interests and passions.
- Gain exposure to every aspect of the business, from community workshops and design charettes to business strategy and site visits.
- Be supported with dedicated personal mentoring from an experienced member of team edge.
Meet our graduates!
Introducing Ella, Chaity, Neha and Jamie from our ‘Class of 2025!’ Read on to hear all about their first year as part of team edge, and what advice they have if you’re thinking of applying this year.
Meet Ella!
Graduate Urban Designer
My year at edge
During my time at edge so far, I’ve learnt how much I enjoy working with other members of the team. I’ve also learnt that I definitely work best when collaborating with others! Life at edge is exciting – it’s great to be surrounded by people who are so passionate about their work and getting to learn from them.
I love that with my role I get to work on different things, and with different people every day. Over the last few months, I have had the chance to be involved in so many projects, gaining different skills and experiences from each one. My favourite tasks so far have been working on proving layouts because I enjoy thinking creatively and systematically to find the best solution.
Meet Chaity!
Graduate Urban Designer
My year at edge
Life at edge is busy but in a positive way. There’s always something new to learn and you’re given the chance to get involved in meaningful work quite early on. What really stands out is how supportive everyone is; people are always happy to help or share their experience, which makes it a great place to learn as a graduate.
What attracted me most to the edge graduate scheme was the focus on development and the opportunity to gain a wide range of experience early on in my career. It felt like a place where graduates would genuinely be supported and given responsibility, rather than just observing form the sidelines. The culture also very people-focused, which really stood out to me.
Meet Neha!
Graduate Urban Designer
My year at edge
During my first year as a Graduate Urban Designer at edge, I’ve learned that I enjoy urban design much more than I realised at university! I’ve gained real first-hand experience of creating places – from the early call for sites stage through to outline planning submission, and working on vision documents, task briefs, and addendums has really helped me understand how real urbanism works in practice.
My confidence and professionalism have grown immensely. I’m now more confident in taking a stand on how design responds to its surroundings, and I find myself observing spaces differently when I’m outside!
Meet Jamie!
Graduate Urban Designer
My year at edge
edge has an incredibly supportive atmosphere and there are always people who are willing to help you. As a grad coming in from a non-urban design background it has been amazing to have the support to build my knowledge and confidence in the field. It’s also a fun place to work, with something exciting always around the corner.
I really enjoy the problem solving aspect of the job. We draw information about a site from a lot of different places as well as various consultants, to create thoughtful and sustainable schemes. I also enjoy how we are constantly pushing to improve and do better, which makes edge an exciting place to work.
Meet our graduates!
Introducing Ella, Chaity, Neha and Jamie from our ‘Class of 2025!’ Read on to hear all about their first year as part of team edge, and what advice they have if you’re thinking of applying this year.
Meet Ella!
Graduate Urban Designer
My year at edge
During my time at edge so far, I’ve learnt how much I enjoy working with other members of the team. I’ve also learnt that I definitely work best when collaborating with others! Life at edge is exciting – it’s great to be surrounded by people who are so passionate about their work and getting to learn from them.
I love that with my role I get to work on different things, and with different people every day. Over the last few months, I have had the chance to be involved in so many projects, gaining different skills and experiences from each one. My favourite tasks so far have been working on proving layouts because I enjoy thinking creatively and systematically to find the best solution.
Meet Chaity!
Graduate Urban Designer
My year at edge
Life at edge is busy but in a positive way. There’s always something new to learn and you’re given the chance to get involved in meaningful work quite early on. What really stands out is how supportive everyone is; people are always happy to help or share their experience, which makes it a great place to learn as a graduate.
What attracted me most to the edge graduate scheme was the focus on development and the opportunity to gain a wide range of experience early on in my career. It felt like a place where graduates would genuinely be supported and given responsibility, rather than just observing form the sidelines. The culture also very people-focused, which really stood out to me.
Meet Neha!
Graduate Urban Designer
My year at edge
During my first year as a Graduate Urban Designer at edge, I’ve learned that I enjoy urban design much more than I realised at university! I’ve gained real first-hand experience of creating places – from the early call for sites stage through to outline planning submission, and working on vision documents, task briefs, and addendums has really helped me understand how real urbanism works in practice.
My confidence and professionalism have grown immensely. I’m now more confident in taking a stand on how design responds to its surroundings, and I find myself observing spaces differently when I’m outside!
Meet Jamie!
Graduate Urban Designer
My year at edge
edge has an incredibly supportive atmosphere and there are always people who are willing to help you. As a grad coming in from a non-urban design background it has been amazing to have the support to build my knowledge and confidence in the field. It’s also a fun place to work, with something exciting always around the corner.
I really enjoy the problem solving aspect of the job. We draw information about a site from a lot of different places as well as various consultants, to create thoughtful and sustainable schemes. I also enjoy how we are constantly pushing to improve and do better, which makes edge an exciting place to work.
Check out our first Graduate Open Day!
Held at edge HQ in Thame, our graduate open day is a chance for you to meet the team, show us who you are as a designer… and experience life on the edge!
Check out our first Graduate Open Day!
Held at edge HQ in Thame, our graduate open day is a chance for you to meet the team, show us who you are as a designer… and experience life on the edge!
How to Apply
If you’re ready to ‘grow your own way’ and kick start your career in urban design – here’s what you need to do to apply!
Build a portfolio
We look for curious, thoughtful designers who care about people and place. Head to our FAQs page for more info on what we’re looking to see from your portfolios!
Tell us about you!
We want to see your work, but we also want to get to know you. What are your interests and passions? What makes you tick? Tell us your story, and include some fun facts about you as an individual!
Get in touch
Send us your portfolio or a link to your e-portfolio, along with a CV and covering letter. PLEASE NOTE – applications for 2026 are now CLOSED.
How to apply
If you’re ready to ‘grow your own way’ and kick start your career in urban design – here’s what you need to do to apply!
Build a portfolio
We look for curious, thoughtful designers who care about people and place. Head to our FAQs page for more info on what we’re looking to see from your portfolios!
Tell us about you!
We want to see your work, but we also want to get to know you. What are your interests and passions? What makes you tick? Tell us your story, and include some fun facts about you as an individual!
Get in touch
Send us your portfolio or a link to your e-portfolio, along with a CV and covering letter. PLEASE NOTE – applications for 2026 are now CLOSED.
Interested in applying but not sure where to start?
Our Graduate Urban Designer Neha has put together her top 5 tips on how to create a standout grad application – that showcases not just your work, but also who YOU are as a designer!
Interested in applying but not sure where to start?
Our Graduate Urban Designer Neha has put together her top 5 tips on how to create a standout grad application – that showcases not just your work, but also who YOU are as a designer!
Need more info?
Looking for some quick answers to all of your burning questions? Head this way! From what qualifications you need to what we want to see in your portfolio, we’ve got you covered.