Subject area: Landscape Architecture

Introducing Landscape Architecture

What is landscape architecture?

Landscape architecture is a creative discipline that operates at the forefront of major societal and environmental challenges.

It is a well-established profession that strives to offer creative design strategies to help address issues such as:

• the impacts of climate change
• the loss of biodiversity
• the promotion of the sustainable use of environmental resources, including food, energy and water

Landscape architects design spatial settings for social interaction and everyday life. They play an essential role in promoting public health and social justice in society.

At larger scales landscape architects formulate planning strategies for:

• urban growth
• infrastructural and ecological networks
• carbon reduction
• hydrological systems

The discipline involves synthesising the various factors that converge in landscapes. This requires creative and critical ideas that work across social, ecological, environmental and material concerns.

This synthetic form of discipline makes our students aware of the dynamic world around us, while equipping them with the skills and knowledge to make positive change.

Landscape Architecture at the University of Edinburgh

Our teaching staff are designers, makers and theorists who engage with both local and global landscapes through world leading research and practice that directly informs our teaching.

We also employ many tutors from the industry who provide valuable insights into professional practice.

Additionally, we have a unique relationship with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Their researchers and scientists contribute to teaching with their knowledge on plants and horticulture.

Our programme is structured in three integrated strands of teaching:

• design
• theory
• techniques

This allows students to develop ideas and skills, while bringing these together in creative studios that deal with real world projects.

We currently offer exchange opportunities with renowned landscape architecture institutions in mainland Europe and Australia, as well as a route to study on the unique European Masters in Landscape Architecture programme.

A career in landscape architecture

At Edinburgh we have established an international reputation for developing students of the highest quality, making them highly employable.

A professional career in landscape architecture encompasses a range of options, from working in design offices, to working for local authorities and environmental agencies. Our graduates also possess skills that allow them to diversify career paths across a range of similar disciplinary fields.

Landscape architecture is a globally established profession, offering the potential for our graduates to find work across the world.

Locally, numerous landscape architecture practices can be found in any major city, meaning our graduates have great scope in finding a job in a region of choice.

Work placement

Our programme offers a period of work placement that allows students to experience professional life, form connections with professional practices while testing potential career paths.

You will have the opportunity to take up work placements worldwide.

Accreditation

MA Landscape Architecture is a four-year honours programme that is accredited by the Landscape Institute.

This means the skills and knowledge you will acquire during your studies are aligned with the requirements of the chartered body for the landscape profession in the UK.

Choice of study routes

As well as the four-year MA qualification, we also offer an alternative three-year BA programme. You can decide to choose the BA route towards the end of Year 2.