MA Professional Landscape Architecture
Course overview
Start date
September 2020
Subject area
Architecture
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
The MA in Professional Landscape Architecture is a programme for those who hold either a bachelors degree in landscape architecture or a Landscape Institute accredited ‘conversion’ qualification and a degree in another discipline.
At UEL, through design studio, live projects, and investigation of theory, we explore key issues in contemporary life - migration, inequality, climate emergency, urban growth, food security. We investigate our understandings of these ideas with passion and commitment; exploring the ways in which landscape, nature and place are socially, as well as physically, ‘constructed’. We seek to develop critical awareness and personal understanding of landscape, and from this, to cultivate an individual, considered approach. Our teaching supports the acquisition of the skills and knowledge that we know are relevant to professional practice now, while developing personal trajectories for the future, within this broad professional field.
Download our yearbook to view examples of our students' work.
Completion of the MA in Professional Landscape Architecture allows registration on the Landscape Institute’s Pathway to Chartership.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreLive projects with social impact
We work on live build projects, and with real clients to learn hands on, changing lives and places, delivering positive social impact and benefits to London communities.
Direct your career
Take specialist lectures; work with UEL's Sustainability Research Institute; create your thesis through design, research, travel, or critical reflection. We make learning and industry links relevant to your chosen direction.
Excellent employment rates
Our Landscape Institute accredited courses provide our students with excellent employment prospects, with 100% of our graduates employed in UK and international practices, local government and more.
What we're researching
Course Leader Dr Bridget Snaith CMLI a professional Landscape Architect and Design Council Built Environment Expert, with an award winning practice, Shape Landscape Architecture & established professional links in London. Her own research interest is in social theory, informing people centred inclusive design, but the Landscape programme at UEL is supported by academics with research interests in Sustainability, Ecology and Heritage as well as Architecture and Civil Engineering. Dr Snaith’s PhD Thesis investigating ethnic minority underrepresentation in UK parks was awarded a Landscape Institute Research Award in 2015. Previous research has focussed on reducing fear of crime in parks and river corridors, she authored one of London’s Green Grid Frameworks, and she has advised on Play Design nationally for the Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment.
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Noel Farrer
Director - Farrer Huxley Landscape Architects, Past President of the Landscape Institute
Landscape architecture is all about people. Our differences define the landscape, as our landscapes in which we exist, define us. Farrer Huxley recognise that the diversity of people reflects our understanding of a broad range of human needs and landscape interpretations.
Having employed students who have studied at UEL, it is clear that the course understands how different skills and interests can benefit the profession.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA page for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and Maths.
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more here.
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll study
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
- Landscape Architecture: Professional Practice, Professional Life (core)
- Landscape Architecture: Advanced Tools & Complexity in Design 1 (core)
- Landscape Architecture: Theory and Contexts (core)
- Landscape Architecture: Advanced Tools & Complexity in Design 2 (core)
- Landscape Architecture: Thesis (core)
Part time – modules above arranged across up to two academic years in agreement with programme lead. There is flexibility to move between full time and part time modes.
How you'll be assessed
Your understanding of each module is assessed through a variety of written/ illustrated reports, and design drawing portfolios, submitted at the end of the module.
Your submitted coursework is completed against detailed project briefs, with submissions comprising project work developed in a variety of media, drawn conceptual, practical and 3D work, essays, site research studies, illustrated reports, seminar papers and presentations. Teaching supports the development of materials for submission through seminars individual and group tutorials, field visits and lectures.
All coursework is double marked and reviewed by an external examination board.
How you'll learn
At UEL your interests and passions count. We provide an inspiring, creative setting where you can extend your knowledge, skills and understanding, and inform your future direction in the profession.
The MA in Professional Landscape Architecture runs alongside other landscape and built environment programmes, and offers flexibility, opportunities for collaborative project work, an active faculty and diverse student body.
We engage with live sites and clients, and foster connections with visiting professionals. All staff continue in professional practice, and bring relevant industry knowledge as well as extensive academic teaching experience to design studio seminars, tutorials, field visits and lectures.
Course Leader Dr Bridget Snaith CMLI is a partner in Shape Landscape Architecture and is Design Council Built Environment Expert. She makes the most of established professional links in London which she draws on in supporting the course. Dr Snaith’s research interest is in social theory, informing people centred inclusive design.
Who will teach on this course
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What you'll learn
The MA comprises six modules: two modules of theory/ professional practice, and two design modules. The programme culminates in a self-directed double module – an extended thesis.
Our modules offer both set topics of study, and options, for learning and research with the Sustainability Research Institute or other faculty in fields like urban design, heritage, environmental design and social justice. Design studio follows a pattern of investigation, experiment and innovation. You will be working across scales, from the geographic scale of character assessment, to detailed design and construction.
You will interrogate live issues for our environment, explore professional practice, and develop the skills you need to pursue your chosen direction in the field of landscape architecture.
Your final thesis can be wholly written, or by design, and may be experimental or reflective. Tutors will support you to explore, and ultimately decide on, your career direction / area of interest.
Your future career
With increased focus on environmental issues, and building healthy communities, landscape architects are in demand professionally, nationally and internationally. There is a high industry employment rate.
Our graduates perform well within the field, achieving recognition and industry awards, and 100% of our MA graduates have found employment in practice and in senior research or policy roles. Our School has links with a range of professional practices, and will give you invaluable experience of working collaboratively with other disciplines, on live projects and with professionals in a practice setting.
Our Masters in Professional Landscape Architecture will give you the space to think about your landscape values and interests, and supports you in directing your career in landscape architecture.
All of our postgraduate landscape courses have full accreditation from the Landscape Institute and provide necessary qualification to allow registration on the Landscape Institute’s Pathway to Chartership.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
