30-Week Course

We teach the complete spectrum of woodworking and furniture making skills, often bringing in world-renowned external experts, to fully equip our students for life as a professional furniture designer and maker.

Among the subjects our course includes are:

Understanding furniture design is fundamental to the success of becoming a successful woodworker. The subject of design is studied throughout the course, so that students can incorporate their own designs into their projects.

We also encourage students to develop their own “signature style”, enabling them to express their individual ideas and creativity.

The students benefit from a series of visits to world class collections of fine furniture in the local area. These include Paxton House, Marchmont House and Gosford House.

Unlike other schools, all timber, veneers and sheet goods are part of the overall fee. For each major project, each student is allocated a £500 budget, in this way they learn the value of materials, how to source them and how to cost up a project.

Students will normally be expected to make:

• A small cabinet
• A stool (part of their woodturning training)
• A series of boxes (a basic box with a sliding lid, a mitred jewellery keepsake box and a Japanese style tool box)
• Two major projects (one to be made in term 2 and one to be made in term 3)
• A Windsor chair (as part of a team of five students)

After the first five weeks when students will have mastered basic techniques and the safe use of machinery, students are given greater creative freedom to find their own “signature style” and to design and make their own pieces of furniture.

Business and marketing skills are an integral part of our professional course, giving students the confidence to turn their passion for furniture making into a business. From advice on website design to marketing and business development, we aim to help students make the transition into the commercial world as easy as possible.

Every student also has a one-to-one business lunch with the Principal in terms two and three.

Students benefit from trips to local makers and a series of lectures from successful Chippendale graduates. We also schedule a talk with Business Gateway who offer support with writing a business plan.

The school recognises that commercial skills are a fundamental part of the success of any woodworker.

In introducing students to aspects of business and marketing development, the Chippendale International School of Furniture recognises that commercial skills are also an important part of the success of any woodworker.

We go one step further and offer graduating students the opportunity to move into incubation space, Myreside Studios, on our campus. This gives graduates the chance to set up in business without the immediate overhead costs of investing in a fully-equipped workshop. Those renting bench space in Myreside Studios, benefit from the collaborative environment, access to machinery, tutor support and a wide range of consumables (glue, screws, finishes, sandpaper, router bits etc)

Successful graduates are also entitled to join the Fine Furniture Guild, an association exclusively for graduates of the School. It provides a way of putting potential customers in contact with a woodworker near to them.

The fee for the 2025/26 professional course is £25,500 (subject to Early Bird discounts or travel bursaries). This fee covers:

• All tuition
• The use of hand tools (apart from carving chisels which are bought in bulk and cost £150 for those who opt in)
• All materials (within reason, including timber and veneers)
• Entrance fees to museums and private houses

A non-refundable deposit of £5,000 is payable to secure your place, with the remaining balance payable due one month before the start of the course.

Please note, this course is for adults aged 18 years and over.

October 2025 – June 2026

Autumn Term (1) – 10 Weeks

6 October – 19 December 2025

Spring Term (2) – 10 Weeks

12 January – 27 March 2026

Summer Term (3) – 10 Weeks

13 April – 19 June 2026