Program Overview

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Landscape Architecture - Master of

Brief Description

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) is a two-year, full-time Level 9 professional degree programme. It is an intensive and dynamic course that prepares students for a wide range of professional activities in landscape architecture.

Overview

During this programme, students will:

• Work in a dedicated Design Studio with their own workspace.
• Collaborate on real-world projects addressing societal and environmental challenges through design.
• Learn through research-led modules combining design and traditional methodologies.
• Participate in site and field visits to explore diverse landscapes.
• Engage with faculty who are experienced practitioners and researchers.
• Develop skills that prepare them for professional practice.

Programme Content

Key Information

• Complete full-time in two years
• Delivered on campus
• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters
• Submit a design research thesis and written dissertation in the final semester
• Elective options available in Year 2, Semester 3

Students will learn through:

• Design studio projects, lectures, and workshops
• Field visits and hands-on activities
• Reflective practice and guided research
• Regular feedback from faculty and peers
• Access to books and journals via UL Glucksman Library

Year 1

Autumn Semester

• Landscape Architecture Design Studio I (AR6101) introduce the core knowledge and processes of designing with and in landscape.
• Ecologies for Design (AR6121) equip students with the knowledge to thoughtfully integrate ecological perspectives into their design work, both in urban and rural contexts.
• Spatial and Visual Representation Methods and Practices I (AR6111) advance the students' capacities across a range of typical representation skills and techniques required in the practice of landscape architecture.
• History and Theory of Landscape (AR6131) immerse students in both the histories and theories of landscape and landscape design - past and present.

Spring Semester

• Landscape Architecture Design Studio II (AR6102) extend the students' progression in advancing their experience and skill in the core knowledge and processes of designing with and in landscape.
• Ecologies for Climate Adaptation (AR6122) demonstrate how designing with natural processes and conditions can help address climatic, environmental, social and economic challenges.
• Spatial and Visual Representation Methods and Practices II (AR6112) advance the students' capacities across a range of digital data-gathering, mapping and representation techniques.
• Professional Practice and Ethics of Landscape Architecture (AR6132) focus on the role and activities of the landscape architect within professional and legislative contexts.

Year 2

Autumn Semester

• Landscape Architecture Design Studio III (AR6123) enable students to further advance their skill, expertise and experience in the core knowledge and processes of designing with and in landscape.
• Fluid Ecologies Designing with Water (AR6133) focus on working with landscapes that are predominantly formed by or impacted by water systems.
• Design Research Methods and Practice (AR6143) deepen students' critical understandings of their design methods and processes
• Elective module

Spring Semester

• MLA Thesis Landscape Design Project (AR6104) develop a design research project to address in-depth a topic of the student's own choice.
• MLA Thesis Landscape Research Dissertation (AR6114) support and extend the personal, philosophical and intellectual intent of the MLA Thesis Landscape Design Project.
• Elective options (choose one; availability varies):
  • Climate Justice (AR6183)
  • Culture Place Environment (AR6113)
  • Design Philosophy (AR6093)
  • Digital Media and Representation (AR6043)
  • Digital Technology (AR6073)
  • Engineering Research (AR6063)
  • Experimental Construction (AR6053)
  • Sponge City Principles (AR6163)
  • Sustainable Infrastructure: Transport and Travel (AR6173)
  • Urban Design (AR6103)
  • Utopian Studies (AR6033)
  • Writing Place (AR6153)

Entry Requirements

• A first or second-class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or equivalent) in landscape architecture or a related discipline such as architecture, design, geography, environmental science, planning, ecology, horticulture, civil engineering, or similar.
• A strong interest in landscape architecture and evidence of creative aptitude.
• Submit 3 separate PDFs as follows:
  • CV (max 3 pages)
  • Personal statement (300 words)
    • Describe your interest in Landscape Architecture?
    • What of your previous experiences (academic, professional and self-directed) has led you to Landscape Architecture?
  • Portfolio of creative work (1520 pages, digital format)
    • This should be sourced from your own work produced during a relevant first degree, relevant professional experience, or through extra-curricular activities or self-led projects.

Portfolio Guidelines

• Demonstrate creative skills and ability to visually represent ideas.
• Include design or socio-environmental work relevant to landscape architecture.
• Be clearly presented and diverse in media.
• Your portfolio should demonstrate your creativity, design thinking, and visual skills, reflecting your potential for success on the MLA.
• All work must be original.
• A signed declaration confirming that all work is your own must be included.
• Collaborations must be clearly labelled, specifying your individual contribution to group or team work, in educational and/or professional contexts.
• Drawing Skills: Include hand-drawn sketches, observational drawings demonstrating spatial understanding. These drawings can be of any subject matter (they do not necessarily need to be of landscape).
• Design Creativity: Show your conceptual and innovative thinking. This may include design concepts, models, or exploratory work in any medium.
• Process work: Include your design process, including initial sketches or sketch models, research, brainstorming and iterations.
• Visual Communication: use diagrams, photography, drawings or mixed media to convey ideas effectively.
• Please include any work in any medium completed for any purpose that you think is relevant to your design ability. Media in the portfolio could include, for example, drawing and painting, graphics, printmaking and photography, woodworking and ceramics, extracts from sketchbooks and design journals (illustrating the design process followed in a project), textiles and dress or clothes making, sculpture and joinery, computer game design, or any other visual media. You must demonstrate your ability to draw in pencil.
• Include Sketches: you are encouraged to submit scanned extracts from sketchbooks along with your portfolio. You may choose to annotate your sketches relating them to some of your other works or to add written comments to put them in context.
• A clear and straightforward presentation of your work will serve you best. Be graphically clear do not embellish the design of the portfolio.
• Show only your best work.
• Demonstrate a diversity of work.
• Portfolios should contain not less than 15 and not more than 20 pages.
• Please ensure that any photographs of three-dimensional objects are of high quality.
• Please ensure that the digital representations and reproductions of your work are at an appropriately high resolution to be clearly viewed on screen.
• Only include technical drawings if they relate to a design that you have developed in some way.

International Students

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students.
• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements

Fees

• EU - 8,200 per annum
• Non EU - 20,800 per annum
• Please note year 2 fees are subject to change
• Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website.

Funding

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

Graduate Profile

There is strong demand for qualified Landscape Architects in Ireland and internationally. Graduates work in:

• Private practice and consultancy
• Local authorities and public sector roles
• Urban planning and environmental design
• Climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure projects
• Evolving legislation and climate challenges are creating new opportunities for professionals who can design resilient, sustainable landscapes.