This MA Landscape and Urbanism program equips architects, landscape architects, and planners with the skills to design sustainable and resilient cities. Through hands-on projects, critical case studies, and a final research project, students explore themes such as public realm, green infrastructure, and climate change. Graduates pursue careers in environmental design, strategic planning, and landscape architecture, contributing to the creation of livable and sustainable urban environments.

Themes include public realm, green and blue infrastructures, resilient and adaptive city strategies, growth and transformation through time, climate change, biodiversity, and zones of transition. Through critical case studies and your final MA project, you may tailor the course to your interests and study chosen areas in greater depth.

Outline:

• Mode: Full time (1 year), Part time (2 years)
• Attendance: 2-3 days a week (Full time), 1-2 days a week (Part time)
• Start date: September 2024
• Main location: Kingston School of Art, Knights Park

Modules:

• Core modules:
Materials and spatial qualities are explored, as are changes through time. Students are required to develop independent proposals based on this analysis and exploration. Topical issues and agendas are specifically highlighted. Students individually develop detailed proposals within the wider terrain.
• Landscape and Urbanism Theory, Research and Representation (30 credits): This module introduces students to the research process and enables them to acquire a critical knowledge of the concept and theory of research methodologies and to develop a theoretical grounding and literacy in landscape design and urbanism, to support research-informed design practice.
It provides students with practice of conducting research via secondary sources. The subject area is relevant for students of architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, and texts are drawn from each of these disciplines.
• Landscape and Urbanism Professional Practice, Process and Making (30 credits): This module addresses contexts and relationships of practice that are increasingly interdisciplinary, transnational, and inclusive of co-design and co-production.
The module reflects the interdisciplinary experience of students and staff and aims to be inclusive of diverse international landscape & urbanism practice.
• Important considerations in relation to responsible and creative landscape & urbanism practice, including design and law, ethics, professionalism, and sustainability
• The scope (breadth and depth) of landscape & urbanism practice
• Masters Project (60 credits):
The Masters Project is a capstone project and the culmination of the educational experience of the MA Landscape and Urbanism program. Typically, the Masters Project develops a theme or interest emerging from study within the preceding modules. It involves students in the development of an individual research question or project brief which will define a focus within the scope of the landscape and urbanism context and reflect individual curiosity, creativity, and ambition. Students research from a wide range of sources and focus on the issues and themes appropriate to the specific project. It may seek to develop and test the landscape and urbanism manifesto. Students are encouraged to define aspirational agendas that address current challenges: economic, environmental, and social, and define appropriate goals in this dynamic field of theory and practice. Projects may relate to live research and enterprise briefs within the Landscape Interface Studio.

Assessment:

• Assessment is typically through coursework.

• Feedback summary: We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Teaching:

• You'll be taught in classroom-based seminars, tutorials, and lectures, alongside site visits to the world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, museums, galleries, auction houses, and other creative professional environments.
• Guided independent study (self-managed time): When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.
This typically involves reading and analyzing articles, regulations, policy documents, and key texts, documenting individual projects, preparing coursework assignments, and completing your PEDRs, etc. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities, including online resources, the library, and CANVAS, the University's online virtual learning platform.
• Your workload: 17% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity.
Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.
• Type of teaching and learning:
• Scheduled learning and teaching: 300 hours
• Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1,500 hours
• Type of assessment:
• Coursework: 100%
• Class sizes: To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrolls 10 students, and lecture sizes are normally 10-15.
However, this can vary by module and academic year.

Teaching Staff:

• Dr Dimitris Venizelos: Course Leader
• Ms Valerie Beirne
• Professor Andrew Clancy
• Dr Christoph Lueder
• Vanessa Ross

Careers:

• Graduates have become environmental and open space designers, working in the design of public open spaces and in strategic decisions affecting the urban public realm.
• Senior landscape architect, ARUP Environmental
• Landscape architect, Churchman Landscape Architects London
• Landscape architect, Gustafson Porter London and Seattle
• Landscape architect, Grant Associates Bath
• Associate director/landscape architect, AECOM
• Landscape architect, HTA Design London
Students have worked with Arup, AECOM, Atkins, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, Grant Associates, and Historic Royal Parks.
• As part of Kingston School of Art, students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where collaborative working and critical practice are encouraged.
• Themes include public realm, green and blue infrastructures, wellbeing, growth and transformation through time, climate change, biodiversity, city and identity, and zones of transition.
• Workshops include: communication, learning through making, observation, mapping and consultation, building information modelling (BIM).

Home 2025/26 MA full time £10,300 MA part time £5,665 International 2025/26 MA full time £16,900 MA part time £9,295 Home 2024/25 MA full time £9,900 MA part time £5,445 International 2024/25 MA full time £15,900 MA part time £8,745 If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years. If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase. Funding and bursaries Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including: Annual Fund scholarship Alumni discount Progression Scholarship

Kingston University

Overview:

Kingston University London is a UK-based university recognized for its high-quality teaching and student experience. It features in the QS World University Rankings league table of the world's top universities.

Services Offered:

Kingston University offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Guidance and resources for academic success.

Career Services:

Support in finding internships, jobs, and career development.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options for students.

Wellbeing Services:

Mental health support, counseling, and other resources.

International Student Support:

Dedicated services for international students, including visa assistance and cultural integration programs.

Library and Learning Resources:

Extensive library facilities and online learning resources.

Student Union:

A vibrant student union with clubs, societies, and social events.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Kingston University provides a dynamic and engaging campus experience. Students can expect:

Active Student Union:

Opportunities to join clubs, societies, and participate in social events.

Vibrant Campus Life:

A lively campus environment with a range of activities and events.

Supportive Community:

A welcoming and supportive community of students and staff.

Location Advantages:

Located in Kingston upon Thames, a historic town with excellent transport links to London.

Key Reasons to Study There:

TEF Gold Rating:

Recognized for its high-quality teaching and outstanding student experience.

Future Skills Focus:

Emphasis on developing future-ready skills through embedded modules in all undergraduate courses.

Strong Industry Links:

Close connections with businesses and industries, providing opportunities for internships and career development.

Diverse and Inclusive Environment:

Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Academic Programs:

Undergraduate Study:

A wide range of undergraduate programs across various disciplines.

Postgraduate Study:

Master's and doctoral programs in various fields.

Research:

Active research programs with a focus on areas like healthcare, technology, and the arts.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships:

Opportunities to combine work and study through apprenticeships.