MA Professional Landscape Architecture
Course overview
Start date
September 2020
Subject area
Architecture
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus
Course summary
The Professional Landscape Architecture programmes at UEL are a recent addition to the courses accredited by the Landscape Institute, the professional body for Landscape Architects within the UK.
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 change, urban growth, food security - through Landscape Architecture, employing knowledge, tools and models in use, and in development globally. We investigate our understandings of these ideas with passion and commitment; we explore 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, primarily to the design of publicly accessible places. 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.
The MA in Professional Landscape Architecture leads directly into the Landscape Institute’s Pathway to Chartership.
Download our yearbook to view examples of our students' work.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact our Applicant Enquiries team on +44 (0) 20 8223 3333 or email study@uel.ac.uk
Get in touch1st
This is the newest accredited landscape course in the UK – the first for seven years. It places us at the forefront of a new initiative in landscape architecture.
Full accreditation
We have full accreditation from the Landscape Institute and our students emerge with excellent employment prospects . Our course is supported by award winning practitioners. We will help you build professional networks while still at UEL.
Award-winning department
Our multi-award-winning Architecture and Design department enjoys a superb location in one of the largest areas of redevelopment in Europe – ideal for the study of landscape architecture.
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’.
Joanne Stevens
MA Landscape Architecture
The MA Landscape Architecture course at UEL is imaginative and rewarding. The one-to-one teaching encourages students to explore possibilities of landscape, both in theory and in practice. The support services are excellent and the location, at the heart of the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, allows collaboration with lots of other disciplines. I would thoroughly recommend it.
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.
INTERNATIONAL
(Including European Union)
We accept a range of qualifications from across the world. Please see our country pages for information on specific entry requirements for your country.
If you don’t quite meet the academic requirements for this course, you can apply with an additional foundation year. Read more about the International Foundation Programme. SEE YOUR COUNTRYIf 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: Tools, Principles, Theories & Practice (core)
- Landscape Architecture: Theories, Context and Practice (core)
- Thesis project (core)
How you'll be assessed
The taught modules are assessed through a portfolio of written / illustrated reports, and design portfolios, and by your contributions to seminar discussions and design exercises throughout the programme.
Your submitted coursework is completed against detailed project briefs, with submission types including design proposals presented in a variety of media, practical 3D work, essay assignments, illustrated reports, seminar papers and presentations. All taught elements are supported through tutorials, field visits and lectures. Submissions of coursework are due at the end of each module, and must be passed before progression to the subsequent module .
The Masters thesis is the final submission. It is either wholly written, or by design, combining written and design elements, and is largely self directed.
All submissions are double marked.
How you'll learn
At UEL you will be working in an inspiring, creative setting where your interests and passions count. We will help to extend your existing skills and deepen your understanding to facilitate self-expression.
The MA in Professional Landscape Architecture runs alongside other Landscape programmes, and offers opportunities for collaborative project work with Landscape Architecture, Architecture and Urban Design students.
We engage with live sites and clients. The Landscape programme at UEL is led and supported by practicing landscape architects, and enriched by engagement with academics with research interests in Community, Sustainability, Ecology and Heritage as well as Architecture and Civil Engineering.
What you'll learn
The MA course is composed of five modules, two modules of theory/ professional practice, and two design modules, where you lead on design, with tutorial support. Design studio follows a pattern of investigation, experiment and innovation, where you will deepen your understanding of contemporary landscape issues while extending the technical, critical and aesthetic skills you need to pursue a career in landscape architecture.
The course culminates in the final thesis module.
The thesis is either wholly written, or by design, combining written and design elements. The topic is self directed, and tutors will support you to explore, and ultimately decide on, your area of interest.
Your future career
The integration of landscape design with architectural and urban design practice is of ever- increasing importance. Landscape Architects are more and more in demand professionally, nationally and internationally. There is a high industry employment rate. Most accredited programmes graduates find jobs on leaving education. 85% of landscape architects are working in full-time roles (Landscape Institute 2016). Our School has links with a range of landscape architectural practices, and will give you invaluable experience of working collaboratively with other disciplines, on live projects and with professionals in the field.
Students at the University of East London have a strong track record in gaining employment – and a reputation for being talented designers who show skill and sensitivity. Our Masters in Professional Landscape Architecture will set you on the path to a rewarding and exciting career in Landscape Architecture.
All of our postgraduate landscape courses have full accreditation from the Landscape Institute and provide a pathway to future membership for students who meet the Institute’s requirements
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
