Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

24th Aug 2026, 2 years

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

The HND year of the architectural design course extends and complements the wide range of design and technical skills gained in the HNC year.

Students expand and develop their skills in spatial design across a range of varied projects.  The scale and scope of projects become gradually more complex as students focus on how to design buildings and spaces in the city. 

Units in Urban Design and Landscape Design offer opportunities to learn about the value and importance of external spaces in the built environment.  Students also analyse and explore an existing Victorian structure, which they are asked to reuse and adapt, while their graded unit focuses on the design of an environmentally conscious Urban Building.  All design projects are underpinned by themes of sustainable design, the circular economy, biodiversity and active travel.   These classes are further supported by a range of guest lectures by industry professionals and design-specific field trips.  

Technical skills are further developed with units focussed on construction detailing and the latest BIM software, which ensures that students gain industry-relevant skills to compliment their design experience.

The course has been structured to enable students to generate a comprehensive and vibrant body of visually outstanding and technically accurate design work, for their portfolios.

As with the HNC year, the HND is led by architects.  Previous students who have excelled and produced a strong portfolio of work over the HND year, have gained direct entry to year 2 of Architecture School, following a portfolio review.  Our students have also pursued careers across a number of design disciplines, including interior design, computer games design and teaching following completion of their HND.

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

• HNC in Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology.

Additional selection requirements

• You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you will get the opportunity to find out more about the course and tell us why you are 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

• Building Information Modelling (BIM): Building Science.
• CAD: Digital Collaboration Practices.
• Architectural CADT: Structural Design and Detailing.
• Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology: Graded Unit 2.
• Architectural CADT: Advanced Digital Media.
• Architectural CADT: Landscape Design.
• Architectural CADT: Commercial Building Systems.
• Architectural CADT: Urban Design.
• Construction Planning.
• Site Administration.
• Conversion and Adaptation of Buildings.

After the course

Careers

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

Continuing Study 

• Post HND entry to Architectural Studies at University or Art School to become an architect. 
• Post HND entry to year 3 to Architectural Technology at University to become an architectural technologist.
• Post HND entry to year 3 to Teaching Qualification in Technological Education at Strathclyde University to become a technical teacher.
• Post HND entry to year 3 to Architectural Engineering at Heriot Watt University (must also take Mathematics for Civil Engineering unit).
• Post HND entry to year 3 to Building Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University.