A&DS and RIAS Scottish Student Awards for Architecture 2026

The Architecture and Design Scotland & RIAS Student Awards are back for 2026. Submissions for this year's student awards will open on 12 May at 12 PM.

Upcoming event

We are hosting an online zoom session with last years winners, allowing them the opportunity to showcase their exceptional work and give some reflection on where they are now, one year on.

The presentations will last around 15 minutes each with some time for Q&A at the end. There will also be the chance to ask questions about the 2026 award submission process. 

The event is free to attend and will be held on 4 June 2026, 12:30 - 13:30

The A&DS and RIAS Scottish Student Awards provide a place to bring together the six schools of architecture in Scotland to celebrate the continuing high standards of Scottish architecture. It ensures that both construction professionals and the public can enjoy the creativity and vision of Scotland's future architects.

NOTE: Students must be RIAS members to submit an entry. As a student member, you can join the RIAS for free here.

The 2026 awards submissions will open on 12 May at 12 PM. FULL SUBMISSION DETAILS AND AWARDS CRITERIA CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Deadline: 25 June at 12 PM

1) RIAS Rowand Anderson Silver Medal for Best 5th (or Final) Year Student 

Open to 5th (or final) year only - although an individual prize, if students have worked within groups in the 5th (or final) year, group work can be submitted alongside individual work to demonstrate the full breadth of the student’s work. Groups cannot win the RIAS Silver Medal, but group work is eligible for both the Designing in a Changing Climate Award and the  RIAS Andy MacMillan Award. Group work, whether the entire project or research sheets, should be clearly marked.

Work submitted must be from 5th (or final) year, academic year 2025-2026.

2) Architecture and Design Scotland Award for Best 3rd Year Student 

Open to 3rd year only - although an individual prize, if students are working within groups, groupwork can be submitted alongside individual work to demonstrate the full breadth of the student’s work. Groups cannot win the Architecture and Design Scotland Best 3rd Year Student Award, but group work is eligible for both the A&DS Designing in a Changing Climate Award and the RIAS Andy MacMillan Drawing Award. Group work, whether the entire project or research sheets, should be clearly marked.

Work submitted must be from 3rd year, academic year 2025-2026.

3) Architecture and Design Scotland Urban Design Award

Open to all years - group work and individual work can be submitted. As a group or individual submission Architecture and Design Scotland Urban Design nominees will be eligible for both the A&DS Designing in a Changing Climate Award and the RIAS Andy MacMillan Drawing Award.

Work submitted must be from students’ academic year 2025-2026 year and must demonstrate an approach to urban context issues, masterplanning or urban/townscape design – not individual buildings within the town or cityscape (Note: ind vidual building designs, irrespective of how urban their location, will be disqualified).

4) Architecture and Design Scotland Designing in a Changing Climate Award

Open to all years (individuals and groups) - this is not a separate entry and is selected from categories 1 - 3. This award looks at architectural responses to the climate emergency.

5) The RIAS Andy MacMillan Drawing Award

Open to all years - this is not a separate entry and is selected from categories 1 - 3.