MA Professional Landscape Architecture

Program Overview

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The MA in Professional Landscape Architecture is a programme for those who hold either a bachelor's 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.

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Completion of the MA in Professional Landscape Architecture allows registration on the Landscape Institute's Pathway to Chartership.

Program Outline

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.

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.

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.