Studying Landscape Architecture
You can study landscape architecture at universities all over the UK. There's a wide variety of courses on offer, including landscape design, environmental conservation, landscape management and restoration and combinations with planning and ecology, so you can choose a course which reflects your interests as well as gaining a range of transferable skills.
Landscape courses are typically very practical and varied. You'll need to be happy exploring and researching topics, getting out and about, coming up with your own ideas and finding practical and creative solutions to real life problems.
Getting started
If you are just starting out, you will usually need a minimum of two A levels or their equivalent to begin an undergraduate entry course. Universities take students from a range of backgrounds but subjects such as geography, art and design, environmental science, biology or similar are particularly helpful (some universities may also ask for GCSEs or A levels in specific subjects, depending on whether you are applying for a course oriented towards design, management or science). Above all, universities will be looking for enthusiasm and commitment to the subject and a practical and creative outlook. Any relevant experience will usually be taken into account, particularly if you are a mature student.
If you already have a relevant degree and wish to re-qualify as a landscape architect, graduate entry courses usually last two years if you are planning to go into landscape design, or one year if you plan to specialise in management or science. If your degree is less relevant, you may need to undertake a conversion course before beginning your postgraduate study. The colleges and universities on our course list will be able to provide you with more advice.
If you already have relevant qualifications and experience, you may be able to join the Institute as an Associate Member. See our Join section to find out more, or contact us for further information
Choosing your course
Whether you are most interested in design, management or science, landscape architecture is a challenging and multi disciplinary subject. Each course has its individual teaching style and ethos so it's worth finding out more and speaking to staff and students to get a feel for which suits you best in terms of your interests and the way in which you like to approach learning.
If you would like to be put in touch with someone who is already studying landscape architecture to find out about their experiences, please contact us at the LI. You can also find out more about student life by visiting the Student Landscape Institute Council (SLIC) website.
Making your application
If you are thinking of taking an undergraduate course, you will need to apply for a place via the UCAS system. More information is available on the UCAS website.
If you are applying for a graduate entry course, you will need to approach the relevant college or university directly.
Flexible learning
Most institutions offer opportunities for part time or flexible learning - please contact them directly for further information.
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about landscape architecture, or be put in touch with a student or practitioner to find out what being a landscape architect or studying on a course is like, why not contact us for more information or to request a careers pack
Want to find out more? Contact us for a careers pack.
