In response to unprecedented demand, the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation, from global fashion brand Kurt Geiger, announces the release of 10 additional spaces for the third cohort of its Business by Design Academy (BBD) – a fully funded, career incubator for young creatives. BBD offers an alternative to university for London-based young people who may still be uncertain about their next steps on A-Level Results Day. Applications will re-open on Thursday 14th August for the chance to secure one of the 10 newly available spaces and will close at 5pm on Monday 18th August 2025.

The Academy’s third cohort of students will begin on Tuesday 9th September 2025, based at Kurt Geiger’s Farringdon Head Office. BBD is a free, seven-month AQA Unit Award-accredited scheme, offering weekly masterclasses and training sessions, one-to-one mentorship, and paid work experience at Kurt Geiger. Participants gain hands-on exposure across departments including design, buying, digital marketing, and merchandising.

Applications originally opened on 1st April 2025, with the number of places increased by 50% compared to last year’s intake. Now, with interest continuing to grow and applications up by 130% year-on-year, the Academy will double its final intake versus last year, offering even more young people a meaningful pathway into the creative industry— without the financial burden of traditional higher education, where the average student debt in the UK now stands at £53,000. [1]

Sophia Johnson, Head of Business by Design Academy, says:
“This surge in applications reflects just how strongly young people are seeking alternative, practical routes into creative education and employment. We’re doubling the size of our Business by Design Academy cohort this year, and with demand continuing to grow, we’re opening a final round of places to ensure young people can access the vocational learning and real-world experience they need to thrive in the creative industries.”

In April this year, 33 students graduated from the Class of 2025, the Academy’s second cohort. Of those, four are now employed full-time at Kurt Geiger and three received entrepreneurial grants to launch their own ventures. Since launching BBD, Kurt Geiger now employs 22% of all Academy alumni, with many continuing their growth through apprenticeships within the company. Kurt Geiger also continues to offer paid internships, with additional alumni students completing summer placements within the design team.

In a major milestone, earlier this year Kurt Geiger also announced the national expansion of BBD. From early 2026, young creatives across the UK will be able to access the full BBD programme through a new digital platform, unlocking the same curriculum, mentorship, and real-world opportunities previously limited to London.

Launched by The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation in January 2024, BBD was created to break down barriers for young people– particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds seeking careers in the creative industries.

Neil Clifford, CEO of Kurt Geiger, said:
“The idea that you need a degree to succeed in fashion is outdated – I know that first-hand. I didn’t go to university, but I was given opportunities that helped me break into the industry. That’s exactly what Business by Design is about – access, experience, and real-world support. By opening extra spaces, we’re helping more young people from all backgrounds take their first steps into creative careers, without the barriers of traditional education.”

Despite contributing £124 billion to the economy [2] and employing 2.4 million people [3] the sector continues to face stark inequalities:

Only 17% of creative industry workers come from working-class backgrounds [4]
86% of internships in the creative sector remain unpaid, excluding those who can’t afford to work for free [5]
43% of young people have an interest in working in creative fields whilst 42% of them feel it’s too difficult or expensive to consider entering the industry [6]