Date: 20 January 08
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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“The quality of Scotland’s built heritage reflects the strength and depth of our architects and designers over the centuries. We recognise, however, that we must support and promote both our students and our young practices to allow emerging talent to grow…..We believe that links with Higher Education are very important and intend to explore further possible relationships with University departments.”
Taken from the Scottish Government’s ‘Building Our Legacy: Statement on Scotland’s Architecture Policy 2007’.
There are six schools of architecture in Scotland which offer degree programmes necessary to become an architect. The entry requirements will vary depending on which school you are applying to, but you will usually be required to have passed at least 5 Highers/GCSEs including English, Mathematics and a Science.
Although it is not necessary to have studied Art, some experience in freehand drawing, collage or model making would be advantageous and computer skills are increasingly becoming a desirable requisite.
For further information on Schools of Architecture in Scotland please see below or use this menu to link direct.
Dundee Schools | Edinburgh Schools | Glasgow Schools | Other Related Courses | Planning and urban design courses
Architecture Schools
Aberdeen
Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment
Robert Gordon University
The Scott Sutherland School was formed by the amalgamation of the School of Construction, Property and Surveying and the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture.
Courses offered by the Scott Sutherland School prepare students for many of the professions involved in the creation of the built environment. Additionally, students undertake elements of inter-disciplinary work during their studies, this serving to broaden their understanding of the roles, responsibilities and skills of other key professionals.
Image: A’Chrannag, Bute by Gokay Deveci, Professor of Architecture at the Scott Sutherland School. Photography: Andrew Lee.
The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment
Garthdee Road
Aberdeen
AB10 7QB
t: +44 (0) 1224 263700
f: +44 (0) 1224 263535
w: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/
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Dundee
Dundee School of Architecture 
The School of Architecture in Dundee was established in 1928 as part of the Dundee Technical College and School of Art. In September 2006 the School of Architecture was separated from the Faculty of Duncan of Jordanstone College and formed a part of the newly formed College of Art, Science & Engineering.
The Dundee School of Architecture has three primary concerns, namely: the creation of responsive and sustainable architecture; the teaching of construction, structures, material grammar and environmental design as central to, and inseparable from, design teaching; and nurturing imagination which transforms the functional and material elements in architecture in order that it may be discussed as communicable art.
Image: An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway by Ric Russell OBE, Principal with Broughty Ferry based Nicoll Russell Studios and former graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, School of Architecture. Photography: Keith Hunter.
Dundee School of Architecture
College of Art, Sciences, & Engineering
University of Dundee7th Floor, Matthew Building
13 Perth Road
Dundee
DD1 4HT
UK
T: +44(0)1382-345315
F: +44(0)1382-203631
W: http://www.architecture.dundee.ac.uk/
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Edinburgh
Edinburgh College of Art
Architecture has been taught at Edinburgh College of Art since 1907.
The School has a reputation for studio-based work that provides a balanced understanding of architecture and a stimulating environment for creativity.
There is an emphasis on personal development and the evolution of individual viewpoints, environmental awareness and problem solving. Opportunities exist for collaborative working within the College and there are connections with other institutions in Europe, USA and Japan. The School also has strong links with the profession, with many local practitioners contributing to the teaching programme.
Images: Top - Edinburgh Unversity redevelopment sketch by Robert Matthew
Bottom - British Pavillion, Expo 1967 by Basil Spence - both Architecture graduates of the Edinburgh College of Art. Images: RCAHMS
Edinburgh College of Art
Lauriston Place
Edinburgh
EH3 9DF
T: +44 (0)131 221 6027
F: +44 (0)131 221 6028
e: registry@eca.ac.uk
W: http://www.eca.ac.uk/
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Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Department of Architecture
The Department of Architecture at the University of Edinburgh was established under Sir Robert Matthew over forty years ago, and has consistently sought to marry the aspirations of architecture, as art, science and profession, with the traditions and disciplines of an ancient university.
The Department of Architecture is committed to providing an atmosphere which allows students to produce creative and intellectually rigorous work. Courses are taught through a combination of studio-based projects, field trips, lecture courses, seminars and practical experience. The University is also one of only a few international institutions offering a degree in Architectural History.
Image: Princess Gate by Malcolm Fraser Architects. Malcolm Fraser is a former Architecture graduate of the University of Edinburgh.
Department of Architecture
School of Arts Culture and Environment
The University of Edinburgh
20 Chambers Street
Edinburgh EH1 1JZ
United Kingdom
t: +44 (0)131 650 2306
F: +44 (0)131 650 8019
E: architecture@ed.ac.uk
W: http://www.architecture.ed.ac.uk/
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Glasgow
University of Strathclyde
Department of Architecture
The Department of Architecture is one of the leading centres for Architectural Education and Research in the UK, offering a stimulating and innovative teaching programme covering a wide range of subjects as well as having one of the largest contract and postgraduate research bases in Britain.
The Graduate School offers a wide-ranging research portfolio and a varied set of advanced courses leading to degree or diploma qualification, taken either full-time or part-time.
Image: Architecture in Scotland 2004 - 2006: Defining Place by NORD Architects
http://www.nordarchitecture.com. Alan Pert of NORD is currently a Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, and head of the Undergraduate Programme, at the School of Architecture, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Photography: Andrew Lee.
Department of Architecture
University of Strathclyde
131 Rottenrow
G4 0NG
t:++ 44 (0)141 548 3023
f:++ 44 (0)141 552 3997
e: contact-architecture@strath.ac.uk
w: http://www.strath.ac.uk/architecture/
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Glasgow
Mackintosh School of Architecture
Glasgow School of Art / Glasgow University
Architecture has been a part of the teaching at the GSA from the middle of the 19th century. Taught on a part-time basis until 1968, the School boasts the building’s designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh amongst its most eminent alumni.
The Mac balances art with science in its active involvement with the community of artists, designers and architects that comprises the GSA. The school also has its own dedicated science-led 'green' research unit - MEARU (Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit). The School also collaborates in teaching with the world renowned Department of Urban Studies at Glasgow University, and runs a studio based courses for students of engineering for the universities of Glasgow and Paisley.
Image: Partick Health Centre by Gareth Hoskins Architects. Hoskins is an Architecture Graduate of the Mac. Photography: Andrew Lee.
http://www.garethhoskinsarchitects.co.uk
Mackintosh School of Architecture
167 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G3 6RQ
t: +44 (0) 141 353 4500
f: +44 (0) 141 353 4703
w: http://www.gsa.ac.uk/
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For further information on RIBA validated architecture courses in the UK click on the RIBA website.
To find out more about studying architecture in Scotland visit the Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland.
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Related Degree, HND and HNC courses
There are now a number of related Degree, HND and HNC courses in subjects such as Architectural Technology. These are not the same as the Architecture courses and do not lead to the professional qualification as specified by the Royal Institute of British Architects. For further information on these courses please see below.
University of West Scotland
HND Architectural Technology
http://www.uws.ac.uk/
Napier University, Edinburgh
BSc Hons Architectural Technology
http://www.napier.ac.uk
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
BSc/ BSc Hons Architectural Technology
http://www.rgu.ac.uk
HNC/ HND Courses
Higher National Certificate/ Higher National Diploma related courses are available at the colleges listed below.
Dumfries and Galloway College
http://www.dumgal.ac.uk
Dundee College
Courses include Architectural Technology and HNC in Computer Aided Draughting and Design
http://www.dundeecoll.ac.uk
Edinburgh's Telford College
Courses include HNC and HND in Architectural Technology and Computer Architecture
http://www.ed-coll.ac.uk
Forth Valley College
Courses include HND in Architectural Technology
http://www.forthvalley.ac.uk
Adam Smith College, Fife
Courses include HNC/HNDin Architectural Technology
http://www.fife.ac.uk
Glasgow Metropolitan College
Offers various Built Environment courses
http://www.glasgowmet.ac.uk/
Moray College
Offers various Construction and Building related courses
http://www.moray.ac.uk
Perth College
Courses include a BSc Managing Sustainable Construction
http://www.perth.ac.uk
UHI Millennium Institute
Various courses include HNC/HND in Architectural Technology and MSc in Managing Sustainable Rural Development
http://www.uhi.ac.uk
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Planning and urban design related courses
“One of our central aims is to nurture a wider understanding and appreciation of the significant cultural and social value of well-designed places. Development plans will be at the heart of the reformed planning system, and the (Scottish Government) aims to encourage development plans that better reflect the distinctive qualities of places and their ability to accommodate, guide or drive change in the long term public interest.”
Taken from the Scottish Government’s ‘Building Our Legacy: Statement on Scotland’s Architecture Policy 2007’.
There are four schools in Scotland that offer planning and urban design related courses.
ABERDEEN
University of Aberdeen
Centre for Planning and Environmental Management
CPEM is an international centre for interdisciplinary research and teaching on the fostering and management of quality places that are economically, culturally and environmentally sustainable. Comprising staff with a wide range of spatial planning, geographical and surveying expertise, particular specialisms include: landscape research; cultural pluralism and contested space; design and regeneration; rural planning and management; environmental justice
Centre for Planning and Environmental Management
Geography & Environment
School of Geosciences
University of Aberdeen
Elphinstone Road
Aberdeen
AB24 3UF
T: +44 (0)1224 272328
F: +44 (0)1224-272331
E: cpem@abdn.ac.uk
W: www.abdn.ac.uk/cpem/
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DUNDEE
University of Dundee
School of Town and Regional Planning
Established in the 1960s as a centre for teaching and professional development in town and regional planning, the school was recently awarded the highest rating for teaching quality of the Scottish planning schools. The School has diversified into the related fields of environmental management at the undergraduate level and European Urban Conservation at the postgraduate level. All the teaching programmes are accredited by the respective appropriate professional bodies
School of Town and Regional Planning
University of Dundee
Dundee
DD1 4HN, U.K
T: +44 1382 385236
e: Anne Mather c.a.d.mather@dundee.ac.uk
w: http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/
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EDINBURGH
Edinburgh College of Art
Urban Design Programme
The Urban Design programme at eca is aimed at graduates and practising professionals from a wide range of disciplines. It reflects the thinking from the Scottish Government, and others, that planners, architects, landscape architects, engineers and surveyors should all be encouraged to study urban design at postgraduate level.
By developing and carefully directing individual skills, the programme gives students an overview of a range of urban design outcomes, how they are arrived at and who is likely to be involved. It is designed to develop participants' understanding of the urban design process and the context within which it operates. It aims to improve and refine the abilities needed to successfully take part in that process.
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Edinburgh College of Art
Lauriston Place
Edinburgh
EH3 9DF
T: +44 (0)131 221 6027
F: +44 (0)131 221 6028
E: registry@eca.ac.uk
W: http://www.eca.ac.uk/
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Heriot Watt University
School of the Built Environment
The School of the Built Environment offers an almost unique range of educational opportunities in the planning, design, construction and development of our environment and infrastructure. The School has an excellent national and international research reputation as the leading Built Environment research institution in Scotland, and one of the top in the UK. It has pioneered innovative education across its disciplines, including distance learning opportunities for Masters students and international links within many of its undergraduate programmes.
School of the Built Environment
Heriot-Watt University
EDINBURGH
EH14 4AS
T 0131 451 8363
F 0131 451 3161
E: enquiries@sbe.hw.ac.uk
W: http://www.sbe.hw.ac.uk/
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GLASGOW
University of Strathclyde
Urban Design Postgraduate
The main aim of the course is to teach urban design in a multidisciplinary manner that reflects its inherent complexities. It promotes a general and intricate understanding of the city by examining the various factors that generate urban form. It focuses on physical planning and the design of urban spaces and their enclosure. Moreover, it aims at understanding how to create a democratically organised, socially inclusive, economically prospering, environmentally sustainable, architecturally beautiful and culturally vibrant city.
The Postgraduate course is delivered in collaboration with the renowned Department of Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow, and has received provisional accreditation as a specialist programme by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
University of Strathclyde
16 Richmond Street
Glasgow G1 1XQ
T: +44 (0)141 552 4400 (main switchboard)
F: +44 (0)141 552 0775
W: http://www.strath.ac.uk/architecture
