2026 Summer Scheme - Urban Design in City of London

Summer Scheme Student (Urban Design) - 15th June – 24th July 2026

Purpose

Savills summer scheme is an opportunity for university students in the year before they will graduate (or start a masters) and be looking for a graduate role, to gain 6 weeks paid work experience. To learn about the business and industry and to ultimately prepare for a graduate role in the industry. We will be in a position to offer graduate scheme positions off the back of the summer scheme programme, so it is a great opportunity to put yourself in the best position before finishing university.

About the team

Savills Urban Design Studio is a national team of professionals with a focus on creating exceptional places that enrich lives and deliver enduring value. The studio sits within the Savills Planning Division, which comprises over 300 professionals across the UK, and is the largest planning consultancy in the country. Savills Urban Design Studio prides itself in delivering best practice in design, thought leadership, and creating resilient and thriving places that people value. The Studio has expertise in all aspects of placemaking, including new communities, environmental sustainability, mixed‑use developments, housing, commercial, and urban regeneration. We collaborate with the wider Savills specialisms, including Planning, Savills Earth, Economics, Social Value, and Development Services. Our approach is founded on meaningful collaboration, commercial intelligence and a well‑informed practical and deliverable development strategies.

Locations available: Oxford, Southampton, London

Key Dates

This year the summer scheme has been redesigned into one intake, for 6 weeks, to offer the best insight to students and to better support graduate scheme hiring. Placement dates: 15th June 2026 - 24th July 2026

The assessment process for this scheme is:

• Application – CV, Essay question (250 words) and Portfolio – Applications close on 24th March 2026
• Screening Telephone Interview
• Interview with hiring team

Day to Day work

As a Summer Scheme student, you will experience what it’s like to be on our graduate programme and receive the same exposure, based within a team for the six weeks. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to gain a wide range of experience. For a Summer Scheme student, there is no one typical day, from visiting a business rates tribunal to inspecting an industrial park at the other end of the country, you could experience multiple aspects of the property industry during the scheme. We hope that you will get involved with as much as possible whilst in our business.

Departmental Talks

Throughout the time that you are in the business, you will attend departmental overviews, to give you the best insight into our various service lines and a better understanding of both the industry and the business.

Social Events

During the month there will be opportunities to network with other students, current graduates and directors within the business, whether this is a cultural walking tour or a networking lunch. We will put these events on for you throughout the internship.

What we’re looking for

Ahead of anything else, we look for individualism and diversity, so it is very important at every stage of the selection process that you take every opportunity to show us what you’re really like. Be honest and above all, be yourself.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Excellent communication skills
• Competent in MS Office Suite
• Highly motivated with a proactive approach
• Team player
• A positive attitude
• A strong interest in the business and industry
• High attention to detail, well‑organised and a proactive approach
• Ability to empower those around them
• A team player with leadership potential
• Ability to listen to others and collaborate effectively
• Strategic approach to problem solving
• Highly motivated
• Ability to challenge in a positive way

Right to work in the UK and employment offer

Any employment offer made is contingent on you obtaining and maintaining the right to work and reside legally in the UK. We welcome applications from candidates who have their own right to work within the UK, where you can maintain and demonstrate your right to work throughout the duration of your employment. You will be asked to provide evidence of your right to work during the recruitment process. Savills are unable to sponsor candidates for this role as the Home Office’s eligibility criteria will not be satisfied.

Find your place to thrive

Savills is an organisation full of extraordinary individuals. Brilliant people at the forefront of their specialisms, eager to drive progress for themselves, their colleagues and our business as part of a truly inclusive culture. No matter the role you’re in, we all share one purpose: to help people thrive through places and spaces. This is built into our DNA, shaping the way we behave to deliver the best results. We define it by four key values.

Savills Values

• We listen: Tell us your goals and aspirations and we’ll provide the support you need to achieve them. We appreciate the individual value of every team member and create an environment where you can reach your full potential.
• We empower: Here, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. We give you opportunities to have a real, positive impact in the community through the work you do, backed by access to our market‑leading research and insights.
• We challenge: The best results happen when we question the status quo. We create an environment where you can safely challenge our thinking, bringing fresh ideas to the table to innovate as a team.
• We collaborate: When you join Savills, you become part of a 40,000‑strong network of driven individuals, all sharing their knowledge and experience to push the real estate industry forward. At the heart of it all, we deliver best‑in‑class insights and advice to help people make better property decisions.

We’re looking for colleagues who will help us on this mission. When you join Savills, our ask for you is simple – to be extraordinary, together.