Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 2 years

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. 

The HND 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 ater 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, the Venice Biennale 2023 Scotland & Venice PDP opportunity to spend a month in Venice. 

To see examples of our work follow us on Instagram @architecturaldesigncogc and view our course portfolio.

The course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 8. 

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Two Highers at Grade C or above in appropriate subjects such as English, Graphics, Product Design 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 or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

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.

HND units:-

• Architectural CADT: Commercial Building Systems.
• Building Information Modelling (BIM): Building Science.
• CAD: Digital Collaboration Practices.
• Architectural CADT: Structural Design and Detailing
• Conversion and Adaptation of Buildings.
• Fire Safety in Buildings.
• Architectural CADT: Advanced Digital Media.
• Site Admin.
• HND Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology Graded Unit.
• Urban Design.
• Landscape Design.

After the course

Careers

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

Continuing Study 

• Post HNC entry to Architectural Studies at University or Art School to become an architect. 
• Post HNC/HND entry to year 2 or 3 to Architectural Technology at University to become an architectural technologist.
• Post HNC/HND entry to year 2 or 3 to Teaching Qualification in Technological Education at University to become a technical teacher.