At the time, Edinburgh College of Art was divided into four schools: Drawing and Painting, Design and Crafts, Architecture, and Sculpture.

[2][3] The establishment of the new School of Architecture was initially aimed for the training of architects and artists, which was supported by public subscriptions and foundations.

The first architecture courses were taught in 1908, in which it experienced numerous changes in teaching staff, structure, syllabus, and its role in the education of architects, in the period from 1908 until 1968.

The first Head of the School of Architecture within Edinburgh College of Art was John Watson, appointed in 1908.

Between 1968 and 2004, Edinburgh College of Art enjoyed associate status and awarded degrees of Heriot-Watt University.