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Computer Aided Design (7689)

Last Updated: 03 Apr 2024
City & Guilds CAD courses provide comprehensive training on Computer Aided Design software. Our range of CAD training qualifications will help you develop your career in manufacturing or engineering design, whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced designer looking to acquire specialist 2D/3D design skills.
Our Level 1 Award in Parametric Modelling is ideal for anyone looking to start working with CAD software, or who already has some limited experience.

Our Level 2 CAD courses are for those who already have some experience in computing and want to increase their knowledge and skills.

Our Level 3 CAD courses are for those who want to develop specialist 2D/3D design skills, who already have a background in computing and design, and may have worked in manufacturing or engineering design for some time.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check for available funding
  • Northern Ireland
  • International

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

Areas of study include:

  • principles of the 2D/3D drawing environment, in terms of hardware, software and physical surroundings
  • the typical composition of a CAD system

It is likely you will learn in a group with your training provider. You'll develop your skills in practical sessions and learn some of the theory behind computer aided design. You will be assessed through practical assignments and short answer questions.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The qualifications could lead to a career as a CAD draughtsperson.

It could also help you to progress into similar courses within higher education.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment. You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

To find all the resource requirements for assessment and delivery, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

Automatic approval will be given to the new suite of qualifications if you already have approval for qualification 7579.

Anyone can take this qualification, but you must make sure all your learners can access the resources they need to complete it. A solid background in computing and design is also required.

Level 1

Level 1 is ideal if you are looking to work, or are just starting out, in the field of manufacturing or engineering design and need to gain skills in using Parametric Modelling software. 

There is only one qualification available at this Level. The single unit includes how to use:

  • Associated IT, CAD hardware and operating systems
  • A range of commands to create and constrain sketches
  • A range of commands to produce extruded and revolved features.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
  • CAD Draftsperson.
Level 1 Award in Parametric Modelling (7689-01)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2027

Level 1 Award in Parametric Modelling

  • Accreditation No: 601/5120/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £97.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2

Level 2 is ideal if you have some experience in computing, perhaps in manufacturing or engineering design, and want to increase your knowledge and skills and progress in your career. There are three qualifications available at this Level:

  • Level 2 Award 2D Computer Aided Design
  • Level 2 Award in Parametric Modelling 
  • Level 2 Certificate in Computer Aided Design
With the Level 2 Certificate you will be required to complete two units in 2D CAD and Parametric Modelling. 

What Careers Can This Lead To?
  • CAD Draftsperson
Level 2 Award in Parametric Modelling (7689-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 2 Award in Parametric Modelling

  • Accreditation No: 601/5113/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 11 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 110 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £113.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Award in 2D Computer Aided Design (7689-04)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2027

Level 2 Award in 2D Computer Aided Design

  • Accreditation No: 601/5115/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 7 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 60 - 60 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 70 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £110.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Certificate in Computer Aided Design (7689-07)
Last Registration Date: 31 Mar 2024

Level 2 Certificate in Computer Aided Design

  • Accreditation No: 601/5118/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 18 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 120 - 120 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 180 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/03/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £144.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 is ideal if you've a background in computing and design and you may have worked in manufacturing or engineering design for some time. You want to develop specialist 2D/3D design skills to help you move on in your career.

There are four qualifications available at this Level:

  • Level 3 Award in 2D Computer Aided Design
  • Level 3 Award in 3D Computer Aided Design
  • Level 3 Award in Parametric Modelling
  • Level 3 Certificate in Computer Aided Design
With the Level 3 Certificate you will be required to complete two units from 2D CAD, 3D CAD and/or Parametric Modelling. 

What Careers Can This Lead To?
  • CAD Draftsperson
Level 3 Award in Parametric Modelling (7689-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Mar 2024

Level 3 Award in Parametric Modelling

  • Accreditation No: 601/5114/6 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/03/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £129.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Award in 2D Computer Aided Design (7689-05)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 3 Award in 2D Computer Aided Design

  • Accreditation No: 601/5116/X This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £124.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Award in 3D Computer Aided Design (7689-06)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 3 Award in 3D Computer Aided Design

  • Accreditation No: 601/5117/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 10 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 90 - 90 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 100 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £129.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Certificate in Computer Aided Design (7689-08)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 3 Certificate in Computer Aided Design

  • Accreditation No: 601/5119/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 22 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 180 - 180 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 220 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £156.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to  and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

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