Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 1 year

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

The architectural design course takes the learner through a series of architectural projects throughout the two-year course, increasing in scale and complexity from HNC to HND. 

The HNC has a micro architecture and residential focus with briefs that include a garden studio, a bothy, a rural house, and a sustainable community for the hidden homeless at Glasgow Green.

This then provides progress to the HND, where the projects are larger in scale and combine urban and landscape design with the design of a community building in Glasgow’s Merchant City. 

The course introduces the learner to the design process from precedent research, site analysis, concept sketching, modelmaking, 2D orthographic drawing, construction details and 3D visualisation. 

Carbon literacy is embedded in the curriculum, and all projects address the climate emergency with a focus on sustainable architecture. 

The course is led by architects and many of our learners progress to architecture school after the HNC or HND. 

We enjoy working in collaboration with the wider architectural community and linking students to exciting opportunities that have recently included - COP 26 New Glasgow Society exhibition, The Herald Newspaper Glasgow Architecture articles, The Davidson Prize 2023 competition entry and the Venice Biennale 2023 Scotland & Venice PDP opportunity to spend a month in Venice. 

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Two Highers at Grade C or above in appropriate subjects such as English, Graphics, Product Design, Art, Maths or a Science subject; OR
• National Certificate at SCQF level 6 in a relevant subject area; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.

Additional selection requirements

• You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

HNC units:-

• Architecture: Form, Order and Composition. 
• Architectural CADT: Principles and Practice.
• Architectural CADT: Residential Design.
• Architectural Professional Practice: Design Management.
• Architectural CADT: Construction Detailing.
• CAD: Visualisation, Rendering and Presentation.
• CAD User Systems.
• HNC Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology Graded Unit.
• Model Making.
• History of Architecture. 
• Building Information Modelling (BIM): Principles.
• Statutory Control of Buildings.

After the course

Careers

Direct employment as an Architectural Technician, BIM Technician or Sustainability Technician post HNC.

Continuing Study 

• The HNC provides progression into HND Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology.
• Post HNC entry to Architectural Studies at University or Art School to become an architect. 
• Post HNC/HND entry to year 2 (after the HNC) or 3 (after the HND) to Architectural Technology at University to become an architectural technologist.
• Post HNC/HND entry to year 2 (after the HNC) or 3 (after the HND) to Teaching Qualification in Technological Education at University to become a technical teacher.