- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 6
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
Ever wanted to learn a unique craft, creating instruments that will stand the test of time? Our stringed instrument making courses are the first of their kind in Scotland. In this NQ, you’ll make either a classical or steel stringed guitar, supported by practicing luthiers in our friendly, well-equipped workshop. Despite being such a specialist field, this course will teach you a wide range of skills for employment and self-employment in musical instrument technology, construction and repair.
What will I learn?
During this NQ Stringed Musical Instrument Making course, you'll make one instrument, either a classical or steel string guitar using a college plan. You'll study acoustic science and material science in addition to the practical work of instrument construction.
Assessment is continuous, with a mix of practical and theoretical assessments from the following range of subjects;
- Woodworking hand skills
- Woodworking machinery
- Manufacture of jigs and templates
- Instrument inlay and sound hole cutting techniques
- Introduction to acoustics
- Manufacture instrument body components
- Material science for stringed instruments
- Design project
- Assembling the components of an instrument body
- Finishing
- Manufacture of neck.
Hear from student Wiktoria as she shares her story about her love for fine woodwork and instrument making.
Entry requirements (minimum)
This is our entry level course, so no formal qualifications are required.
You should demonstrate a passion for music, musical instruments and in particular; acoustic stringed instruments such as guitars.
Timber construction and familiarity with hand-tools and some woodworking machinery skills are desirable, but these skills will be remediated early in the course, so are not essential.
Entry requirement equivalency table
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
We have links with individual makers and repairers, instrument retailers, importers and distributers and museums and educational institutions.
Jobs and further study
On successful completion of the course, you can progress to HND Musical Instrument Making and Repair.
Take a look at the course progression map for musical instrument making courses.
Past students have found employment as instrument repair people, instrument makers, instrument technicians, teachers, woodworking technicians and other careers where high quality woodworking skills are relevant.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You'll receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you'll either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you'll be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You'll be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You'll be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you'll not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you'll be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date.
