The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment is one of the three oldest of its kind in the UK, with a heritage that extends back to the 19th Century.

Whilst we are proud of our history we have continually evolved our offering to the needs of our professional areas today, combining innovative thinking with new technologies and contemporary practice across all aspects of the design and construction of building, public space and cities.

We have a strong social ethos and research underpins everything we do. We see it as our social responsibility to facilitate the design and build of sustainable and well-considered structures and spaces that reflect society's aspirations. Our unique undergraduate and postgraduate course portfolio is forward thinking and held in high regard by professionals. We work closely with industry to ensure our courses are relevant and up to date, particularly on big topics like the environment and sustainability where the discipline can have a great impact. You will work on projects that focus on today’s challenges whilst looking forward to anticipate the needs of tomorrow.

All of our courses combine theory with practical application to ensure you have the skills to apply your knowledge appropriately and creatively within industry. All undergraduate courses carry professional accreditation from a range of bodies and placements and professional experience in an industry setting is a core part of the course structure. This gives you a competitive edge and sets you apart when it comes to future employment.

There is a real sense of community in our school and the relationship between staff and students is paramount. You are treated as individuals and we take the time to get to know you and have ongoing dialogue. We give you the freedom to express yourself in an academically challenging environment, complemented by a collaborative approach where you can absorb from other students with all kinds of backgrounds at different levels of study. These factors allows you to realise your full potential and broaden your understanding of the roles, responsibilities and skills of other key professionals. 

Awards and Recognition

• 1st in Scotland for Construction, Surveying and Planning (Guardian University Guide 2026).
• 1st in Scotland for Student Satisfaction in Architecture (Complete University Guide 2026).
• 1st in Scotland for Student Satisfaction in Building (Complete University Guide 2026).
• 1st in Scotland and Top 3 in the UK in Building for Graduate Prospects: on track (Complete University Guide 2026).

Student Awards and Recognition

Our students are regularly recognised for the quality of their work:

• Architecture & Design Scotland and RIAS Scottish Student Awards for Architecture
  Claire Milnes - Commended Community Housing, Kirkwall, Orkney
• Architecture & Design Scotland Award for Best 3rd Year Student
  Dalibor Baran - Meet at Denburn
• Architecture & Design Scotland Urban Design Award
  Shortlisted the Living Edge Team Project - Liane Wood, Sophia Rusinova, Stuart Alexander and Violeta Vasileva
• Architecture & Design Scotland Sustainable Design Award
  Claire Milnes - Commended Community Housing, Kirkwall, Orkney
• Aberdeen Society of Architects Silver Medal
  Winner: Meghan Rasmussen - Bridge/ Restaurant
  Commendations: Violeta Vasileva and Julie Nelson

57’10 Society

Our award-winning student society, 57˚ 10, organises events including a weekly lecture series featuring talks by high-profile and inspiring designers, which offers additional insight into the link between education and practice.

Contact & connect with us

Placements

The aim of the industrial placement is to give you the opportunity to consolidate and broaden the knowledge you have gained in your studies and apply it in a real world situation. Many of our students build strong relationships with the companies they work with during their placement and often return to work with them following graduation.

All of our undergraduate courses offer a placement period, with Architecture students undertaking their Year 4 out in industry before returning to complete their final two years of study.

Affiliations and Industry Links

We are proud to be associated with leading organisations, institutions and professional bodies.

The School is a member of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). This recognises the School’s record in improving the sustainability of the built environment by transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated.

Accreditations

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
• Architects Registration Board (ARB)
• Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
• Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• Board of Quantity Surveyors of Malaysia (BQSM)

Industry Links

Our close links with industry are vital on a number of levels including the evolvement of courses and course content; delivering expert contribution through guest lectures, sponsorship of students and prizes, employment of students on industrial placements, providing case study material and carrying out student reviews.

• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland(RIAS)
• Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
• Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA)
• International Association of People-Environment Studies (IAPS)

We have an active and vibrant research community.

Our research considers the practice and teaching of present and future built environments in terms of their suitability to those they're designed for and their sustainability. It is underpinned and demonstrated by a practical grounding in the design, production and assessment of innovative, interdisciplinary research and practice-based research projects, and through our published work and other multimedia outputs. 

Major research activities carried out by our staff include the design and construction of low energy, affordable, and environmentally friendly housing, exploration of visualisation technology and modelling techniques, design theory and practice, the study of value throughout the life cycle of buildings, innovative methods relating to the management of design and construction, pedagogical research and participatory strategies for community engagement and urban co-design. There is a high degree of collaboration between disciplines, industry, and professional or public bodies.

Our research has international outreach through collaborations with international HE institutions and organisations, as well as our membership in global networks.

Research Groups

Immersive cities

This research group explores the synergies between technology and architecture and the built environment within the context of immersive cities. This group builds its research upon the Digital Innovation Lab, developed in collaboration with the School of Computing, Engineering and Technology, and the international network Border Urbanism.

Energy, environment and sustainability 

Research into the social, economic and environmental impact of sustainable construction. This group explores circular economy models within construction, sustainable materials and energy consumption.

Pedagogical research

This research group investigates innovation within architecture and built environment pedagogies, bringing interdisciplinary opportunities to teaching and learning and exploring civic engagement. The group leads the engagement of the school in the international EURAU network (European Research in Architecture and Urbanism).

Practice-based research in Architecture and Built Environment

The practice-based research group explores the definition of what practice-based research means in the architecture and construction sector.  It focuses on bridging the gap between practice and research establishing links with professionals, communities and policymakers.