BDS Centres of Excellence

• The BDS Centre of Excellence recognition is a confirmation of the quality of your course content, instruction and facilities.
• The establishment will be listed on the BDS website as a recommended course.
• The establishment and student will have the use of a BDS logo to display on stationery and publicity material.
• OFSTED looks for ‘the effectiveness of partnership in promoting learning and well being’. This endorsement of your course proves that you are looking to improve the outcome for your students and investing in their future.
• A BDS approved qualification gives a student professional credibility.      Design is a highly competitive market and this will be an essential      addition to any portfolio. Having BDS recognition is similar to an industry kitemark, BDS qualifications are recognised as a seal of approval.
• As an awarding body for the VM, Display, P.O.S. and exhibition design fields of practice, we can enhance professional standing by the granting of a designatory affix. Students who have completed and passed a BDS recognised course will be entitled to use the affix Cert.BDS or  ProDip.BDS

• The BDS will visit the college to keep up to date with the students and lecturers, networking with the students, if available. Also, when possible, bring industry experts to the college to talk with students.
• Unlimited advertising of student work and the college in our VM Spotlight magazine and on our Social Media sites. Student work, submitted by the college to the BDS, can be showcased on social media and in our VM Spotlight magazine.
• Currently, VM Spotlight has a circulation of 1.9 million readers in the VM/Retail industry. With high readership, including corporate members, you never know who is reading VM Spotlight and where the next student opportunity will come from.
• As an awarding body for the VM, Display, P.O.S. and exhibition design fields of practice, we can enhance professional standing by the granting of a designatory affix. Students who have completed and passed a BDS recognised course will be entitled to use the affix Cert.BDS or  ProDip.BDS
• Following recognition of a course, each student may apply for BDS membership ensuring that your students are starting on a pathway to professional accreditation.
• BDS annual student competitions. A chance to boost a student’s portfolio with additional recognition (certificates and medals).
  • The VM & Display Show – Centre of Excellence college team competition
  • The End of Year Centre of Excellence student competition
• Students, via their college representative, can ask for help and advice from BDS industry experts who are always happy to help the next generation of VM Consultants.

After completion of the application form (see below), for more complex courses the BDS would make an inspection visit to confirm the standard of delivery and facilities of your course, for simpler courses you are invited to submit a portfolio online. 

Information is required about your tutors, workshops, design and display equipment, student’s work, studios, and student placement records. Occasional additional inspections may be carried out by the BDS, but for simpler courses it would be taken on trust and good faith that agreed standards are maintained - to ensure our continued endorsement. 

Once the establishment has been approved, we will issue a ‘BDS Centre of Excellence’ certificate. The BDS Students on the approved course/s become BDS Student Members and, upon graduation, they will be awarded the affix Cert.BDS or ProDip.BDS depending on the level of education.

• £950 per year for colleges within the UK for unlimited number of VM and design students
• £1,500 per year for colleges outside the UK for unlimited number of VM and design students