Course details
Duration
Two years
Delivery
Online and part-time
Start dates
January, May and September
Next welcome week
20 January 2025
Next course start date
27 January 2025
Application deadline
10 January 2025
Total course fee
£8,500
Course overview
Landscape architecture connects people across disciplines, cultures and communities – all of whom share the common goal of creating places that have a positive impact on society, culture and the environment.
There is now, more than ever, a recognition that landscapes must be conceptualised, designed, and managed in ways which address contemporary challenges facing communities and the global environment, including environmental sustainability and human resilience and wellbeing.
This online MA Landscape Architecture Studies explores how professionals in the field build a healthy, equitable relationship between their practice and our planet’s ecosystem.
It has been thoughtfully designed to provide an in-depth perspective on landscape design practice, against a background of contemporary regional and global issues.
With a real-world approach that emphasises both theory and practice, a range of topics explore the interfaces between people, landscapes, cities and nature. We’ll help you develop your understanding of the problems and opportunities facing urban and rural landscapes, covering issues that relate to both individual placemaking and wider infrastructure.
Just as importantly, you’ll also be exposed to different cultural and professional contexts. Within a creative and supportive learning community where collaboration and innovation are encouraged, you’ll develop the creativity, critical thinking, and landscape architectural skills needed to forge an exciting new chapter in your career.
Note: The MA in Landscape Architecture Studies is not designed to provide a complete training for becoming a UK Chartered Landscape Architect and is not recognised professionally by the UK Landscape Institute. However, the course provides a basis for further education, career development, and work in a variety of areas, as well as opportunity for specialised study.
How will an MA Landscape Architecture Studies benefit you?
Course Leader Dr Kirsten Tatum answers the most common questions about the course in this overview video.
Course units
The units within this course have been crafted to help you contextualise your current or future landscape design practice within a wider framework of interconnected systems. With support from our experienced academics, you’ll get to explore the benefits that this dynamic approach could bring to both your career, and to wider social, economic and environmental needs.
This introductory unit will familiarise you with key themes and practices in landscape architecture. You’ll also use this time to think about and articulate your own learning needs and interests, and then identify your goals and hopes for the course to guide your studies.
In this unit, we’ll go over important ideas and theories relating to the meaning of landscape from social, cultural, environmental and ethical perspectives. You’ll also expand your understanding of architecture’s theoretical foundations in fields such as geography, ecology, sociology and art.
We’ll look at cultural traditions and philosophies in the context of current existential crises regarding landscape value. You’ll learn about how current practice is influenced by past and present social formations, and examine philosophical, spiritual, aesthetic and practical relationships to landscapes.
This focuses on the complex and conflicting relationships, systems and processes in both built and natural landscapes. It draws upon a range of innovative landscape approaches, including green-blue infrastructure planning, cradle to cradle design, and natural capital accounting.
We’ll critically evaluate how landscape can help promote physical and mental health by addressing sources of economic, social and environmental stress. You’ll also learn how diversity, environmental justice and inclusivity relate to you and your practice, as well as their wider social context.
This unit covers how landscape architecture practice can support social justice and community through design and innovation in tools and techniques. We’ll explore equitable placemaking design and management, discussing topics such as public transportation, accessibility and more.
Your lessons for this unit will help you consider how the practice of landscape design and our conceptual understanding of landscape is historically grounded in the context of gardens. You’ll study garden design precedents from across a range of typologies, scales and cultural contexts.
As its title suggests, this unit is an introduction to urban design as a discipline. We’ll cover its language, terminology and examples of recent urban planning – and examine the nature of cities as landscapes and ecosystems from the perspectives of contemporary and historical urban theorists.
During this unit, you’ll gain a theoretical and practical grounding in research and research design methods. The unit serves as a foundation to the Comprehensive Master’s Project and is your opportunity to identify and test your area of research, key sources and methods of inquiry.
The Comprehensive Master’s Project is your time to showcase your position and approach as a landscape professional. With the support of a project supervisor, you’ll be challenged to create a design project that synthesises the ideas, knowledge and skills you’ve developed during the course.
Find out about fees and payment options
Learn key industry terminology
Course leader
Dr Kirsten Tatum
Kirsten studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture and is an academic member of the Landscape Institute. Her expertise encompasses a range of built environment disciplines, including architecture, landscape, urban/rural planning, plus design history and theory.
Entry requirements
We encourage applications from students with a broad range of qualifications and we welcome students from all educational backgrounds. We’ll take into account the knowledge and skills that you have developed outside the classroom, as well as your previous qualifications.
There are two different routes to entry: the standard and non-standard routes. Admissions staff will assess entries to determine which route is appropriate for you when you apply.
Students accepted on the standard route are given offers based on qualifications and supporting documentation alone. If you do not have a qualification at the designated level or in a subject not directly related to the course to which you are applying, you’ll be contacted to request a portfolio, and/or given an interview date.
You’ll have a BA (Hons) degree graded at 2.2 or above, or an equivalent UK or international qualification in your chosen subject or a related discipline.
You’ll have a BA (Hons) degree graded at 2.2 or above, or an equivalent UK or international qualification in your chosen subject or a related discipline.
As an overseas applicant, you’ll need to validate your proficiency in English. We accept a range of English language qualifications:
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) grade C
- Certificate of Attainment in English (London Board) level 5 or 6
- IELTS score of 6.0 or above with at least 5.5 in each band
- TOEFL iBT score of 80 or above with 19 in speaking, and 18 in listening, reading and writing
- Pearson PTE score of 64 and over, with a score of 59 in each component
IELTS, Pearson, and TOEFL scores must be less than two years old at the time the course commences to be valid.
If you do not have the standard academic qualifications, you could still be considered for entry if there is sufficient evidence to indicate that you can fulfil the objectives of the course of study and achieve the standard of the final award. An example of this would be to showcase a portfolio of work as requested by the admissions team.
We also welcome applications from anyone with other qualifications or work experience that demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skills to study at postgraduate level.
Take the first step to endless possibilities
AUB student work
Charlotte Harvey | BA (Hons) Architecture (Part 1 ARB/RIBA)
Kira Bennett | MA Architecture (Part 2 ARB/RIBA)
Wael Abusaad | MA Architecture (Part 2 ARB/RIBA)
How to apply
When you're ready to apply, you'll need to head to our online application form to apply directly to us.
We encourage applications from students with a broad range of qualifications – we'll take into account the knowledge and skills that you've developed outside the classroom as well as your previous qualifications.
We aim to interview all applicants who demonstrate the potential to succeed on the course. Interviews are used to assess whether you have the necessary skills and capabilities and whether this programme is appropriate to your interests and aspirations.
Careers
The online MA Landscape Architecture Studies can help you pursue a diverse array of careers. You’ll build an advanced portfolio of landscape skills, techniques, knowledge, and understanding to develop your career or to prepare for further specialised study.
Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped to start exploring landscape-related practices around the world. Some of the roles that you’ll be able to work towards include:
- landscape architect
- environmental consultant
- urban designer
- environmental manager
- landscape conservation officer
- academic
- town planner.
Progression for graduates
Find out more information about the above roles available to you as an MA Landscape Architecture Studies graduate in this video.
Join us in January 2025
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Want to chat or ask a few questions? Fill this in and one of our course advisers will be in touch.
Video transcripts
[upbeat music plays throughout]
MA Landscape Architecture Studies
Careers and opportunities for graduates
MA Landscape Architecture Studies students will develop an advanced portfolio of landscape skills, techniques, knowledge and understanding, which will help them develop their career or prepare for further specialised study.
Graduates will be well equipped to work in landscape-related fields within the UK and internationally, as well as for landscape architecture practices overseas.
You'll develop your expertise in essential themes of:
- Sustainability
- Climate change
- Environmental
- Spatial
- Climate justice
- Biodiversity
- Health and wellbeing
After graduation, you’ll be prepared to follow your interests into a variety of residential, commercial, public/voluntary sectors, academia, or self-employment design environments. Some examples include...
Landscape architect
Pursue a range of exciting projects in areas such as areas such as natural systems infrastructure, habitat restoration, renewable energy, commercial, residential, industrial, leisure, and health. Typical responsibilities include undertaking site surveys, creating plans, liaising with clients, and producing designs and drawings.
For those students wishing to pursue a career as a landscape architect in the UK, the course offers a foundation to further education in landscape architecture, with graduates able to access a Landscape Institute accredited master's in the UK.
Environmental consultant
If you're particularly interested the environmental elements of your course, you could work as a consultant in the architectural, government, manufacturing, or wildlife sectors. You'll conduct field surveys and assess areas based on factors such as emissions, air/water contamination, and renewable energy opportunities.
Urban designer
As an urban designer, you may work with town planners and public officials to create carefully planned city features such as public spaces, transport, and community facilities. Focused on both aesthetics and practicalities, urban designers ensure environments are people-focused and considerate of economic and spatial factors.
Teaching or academia
If you choose to pursue the academic route in the industry, you could find yourself in a research-based or teaching role. This position will allow you to use your skills and expertise to further your academic knowledge whilst developing the next generation of leading landscape architects.
Town planner
As a town or urban planner you'll be involved in the management and development of cities, towns, and the countryside. You may use technology systems such as CAD (computer-aided design) to plan and design strategic developments that balance sustainability and community/industry needs.
Landscape conservation officer
Usually working for a local council or similar organisation, this role provides land management policies for woodlands, grasslands, and other habitats with the aim of improving and enhancing them for both wildlife and public enjoyment. Part of the role is to promote awareness and understanding of the natural environment.
Garden designer
You could use skills gained in your MA in Landscape Architecture Studies course to design captivating gardens and outdoor spaces. Working with clients and maybe a wider design team, you'll use CAD programmes to develop imaginative mood boards and concept drawings to fit a brief.
We're a creative community
Arts University Bournemouth Online is committed to helping students everywhere turn their talent into careers.
As one of the top ranked specialist art and design universities in the UK, you can trust that you’ll have us by your side as you head into this exciting new chapter.
Want to learn more?
We're here to help. If you have any questions about our online, part-time MA in Landscape Architecture Studies, get in touch with a course adviser.
- info@studyonline.aub.ac.uk
- +44 1202 122 883