Program Overview

Programme: BSc (Landscape Architecture) Landscape Architecture

Programme information

Landscape architecture is the science and art of the design of outside areas for the use and enjoyment of people. Parks, game reserves, recreational areas and marinas are only a few of the environments which the landscape architect designs. They create urban oases in the form of plazas and pedestrian routes, and design environments around shopping centres and residential developments. The landscape architect can join a private firm, start an own business, or accept employment in central, provincial or local government in departments that handle water usage and research, forestry, environmental matters, sport, recreational and fishing areas, and nature conservation.

Students are advised to work in the offices of an architect or a landscape architect to gain practical experience during the university recesses.

BScLArch is a three-year degree and is regarded as an exit level that enables the graduate to register as a candidate landscape architectural technologist who is a professional person registered by the South African Council of the Landscape Architectural Profession in terms of the Act on the Landscape Architectural Profession (Act 45 of 2000). Such practitioners provide assistance in the practices of the disciplines of landscape architecture and urban design where their responsibilities would be the documentation of projects, project administration and site management. Candidates wishing to become professional landscape architects must hereafter apply to register for the BLHons degree (one year full-time), and thereafter the ML(Prof) degree (one year full-time).

Admission requirements

Applicants who matriculated before or in 2007

• The following minimum requirements for admission apply: A grade 12 Certificate with university endorsement and at least 40% (E symbol) in Mathematics and Physical Science on Higher Grade or at least 50% (D symbol) for the same subjects at Standard Grade. A minimum M Score of 18 is required for Grade 12.

Applicants who matriculated in 2008 or thereafter

• The following minimum requirements for admission apply: A National Senior Certificate with access to degree studies and a minimum Admission Point Score (APS) of 27; a minimum achievement level of 4 (at least 50%) for Mathematics and Physical Science; a minimum achievement level of 5 (at least 60%) for Afrikaans or English (as home language or first additional language) and an achievement level of at least 4 (minimum 50%) for Life Orientation although this subject is not used in the calculation of the APS. The APS is calculated using two language subjects Mathematics Physical Science and any two other subjects excluding Life Orientation.

Minimum requirements for 2016

• Achievement level: Afrikaans or English: 5 (NSC/IEB), 3 (HIGCSE), C (AS-Level), C (A-Level)
• Mathematics: 4 (NSC/IEB), 3 (HIGCSE), D (AS-Level), D (A-Level)
• Physical Sciences: 4 (NSC/IEB), 3 (HIGCSE), D (AS-Level), D (A-Level)
• APS: 27

Practical requirement

• At least one year of work or travel recommended.

Important dates

• The academic year of the University of Pretoria starts in January and ends early in December.
• It is divided into two semesters (or four quarter modules) with short recesses in April, July, and September.
• In order to gain practical experience, students are advised to work at a practice during the University recesses.

Curriculum

Year 1

• Fundamental modules:
  • UPO 112: Academic orientation 112 (Credits: 0.00)
  • AIM 102: Academic information management 102 (Credits: 6.00)
• Core modules:
  • AAL 110: Earth studies 110 (Credits: 10.00)
  • KON 111: Construction 111 (Credits: 8.00)
  • KON 121: Construction 121 (Credits: 8.00)
  • OKU 120: Design communication 120 (Credits: 6.00)
  • OML 110: Environmental theory 110 (Credits: 6.00)
  • OML 120: Environmental studies 120 (Credits: 6.00)
  • ONT 100: Design 100 (Credits: 60.00)

Year 2

• Core modules:
  • AAL 210: Earth studies 210 (Credits: 8.00)
  • GGY 265: Geomorphology of the built environment 265 (Credits: 12.00)
  • GKD 250: Introductory soil science 250 (Credits: 12.00)
  • JCP 201: Community-based project 201 (Credits: 8.00)
  • KON 210: Construction 210 (Credits: 8.00)
  • KON 220: Construction 220 (Credits: 8.00)
  • LAN 212: Landscape architecture 212 (Credits: 8.00)
  • LAN 222: Landscape architecture 222 (Credits: 8.00)
  • OML 210: Environmental theory 210 (Credits: 6.00)
  • OML 220: Environmental studies 220 (Credits: 6.00)
  • ONT 202: Design 202 (Credits: 60.00)

Year 3

• Core modules:
  • AAL 320: Earth studies 320 (Credits: 6.00)
  • BER 310: Business law 310 (Credits: 16.00)
  • KON 310: Construction 310 (Credits: 8.00)
  • KON 320: Construction 320 (Credits: 8.00)
  • OKU 313: Design communication 313 (Credits: 6.00)
  • OMG 310: History of the environment 310 (Credits: 6.00)
  • OMG 320: History of the environment 320 (Credits: 6.00)
  • OML 310: Environmental studies 310 (Credits: 6.00)
  • OML 320: Environmental studies 320 (Credits: 6.00)
  • ONT 302: Design 302 (Credits: 60.00)
  • PWT 312: Plant science 312 (Credits: 8.00)
  • PWT 322: Plant science 322 (Credits: 8.00)
  • PJS 320: Practice management 320 (Credits: 8.00)

Awarding of degree

• The degree is awarded to those students who have obtained all the prescribed credits for the programme modules.

Promotion to next study year

• A student is promoted to a subsequent year of study after acquiring all the prerequisite module credits of the preceding year of study.

Pass with distinction

• The BScLArch degree is conferred with distinction on a student who, at first registration, simultaneously passes Design 302 and Construction 320 with distinction (75%) with the proviso that the degree is completed within the minimum prescribed time and all other final-year modules are passed on first registration without any supplementary/special examinations.