Information for applicants

Apply online through the vacancies page.

To save your progress, click "save and quit" at the bottom of each page. Your application form link will be sent to your email each time you save.

For information on how we manage your personal data, review our privacy notice.

You will be asked to confirm that you have the right to work in the UK. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you will not be able to progress your application further.

For some vacancies you may also be asked to confirm that you meet some of the minimum role requirements, by answering “yes” or “no”.

Education

In the education section, share your highest or most relevant qualification. For example, if you have a degree, you do not need to enter details about your secondary education.

We will request proof of all essential or desirable qualifications.

Work history

Share your work history, starting with your current or most recent role.

Make sure to include:

If you have been working for less than five years, list all of your employment details since you completed full-time education.

Your supporting statement is a very important part of your application.

Make sure you:

Giving specific examples

Carefully review the Person Specification in the Job Description and provide specific examples from your work, volunteering, training, or education to meet each requirement, in the order they are listed. For example, if the Person Specification mentions "Strong communication skills," you should use concrete examples of how you have used and developed these skills in the past. Do not generalise e.g. “I usually..."

Meeting the criteria

If you think you could excel in this role but are not sure that you meet all the essential criteria, we encourage you to apply. We're committed to considering a broad range of candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Whether you're new to the museum or cultural sector, returning to work after a break, or looking to take the next step in your career, we welcome your application.

References should:

We only contact referees once we have offered you the role.

Gaps in employment or education

If you have any gaps in your employment/education lasting 28 days or more, (excluding academic holidays while in full-time education) provide an explanation, any supporting evidence and a character reference for each gap to cover the last 5 years. If you have had multiple gaps, you can use the same referee as long as they have known you throughout each gap. If you require more than two referees to cover the last five years, then choose “add another”.

Our applications are open to all and treated equally, regardless of:

Under-represented groups

Some groups are currently under-represented in our workforce and the cultural sector as a whole. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people and those who identify as being from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background and although we have a good gender balance – in certain departments, such as Technology, we encourage female applicants and, in our Exhibitions, or Development teams, we encourage male applicants.

How we shortlist

To make sure there is no risk of bias, our recruiting managers shortlist without access to personal information like your name and address, and your equal opportunities information (known as anonymous shortlisting).

Confidentiality

The equal opportunities information helps the People team measure diversity in our recruitment and ensures applicants are treated fairly and equally. It is strictly confidential.

Disability confident scheme

Under the disability confident scheme, we are committed to guaranteeing an interview if you:

If you apply under the scheme, the recruiting manager will be notified. If shortlisted, we will ask you about any reasonable adjustments you need to participate in the next stage of the selection process.

This is your final opportunity to review your application before you submit. Use the navigation buttons to ensure that the information you have provided is accurate and complete. Once you have ticked the box below and pressed the ‘Submit’ button you will no longer be able to edit your application.

If you currently work at the V&A, you must have successfully passed your probation to be able to apply for any V&A vacancies. We’ll ask you to confirm that you have passed it at the start of your application.

This applies to anyone with a current permanent or fixed-term contract with the V&A. It does not include zero-hour workers, contractors or volunteers.

For more information, please refer to the Recruitment Policy on the intranet.

If you are having technical difficulties with the online application or need reasonable adjustments during the application process, let us know. We're here to help you complete your application smoothly.

Email us at careers@vam.ac.uk.

After the closing date:

Due to a high volume of applications, it may take longer to notify successful applicants about the next stage.

All offers of employment need:

Together, we make the V&A what it is, which is why we provide benefits to support you and your well-being throughout your employment journey, such as:

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