Landscape Architecture

Course description

**What is landscape architecture?**

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

It strives to offer creative design strategies to help address problems such as the impacts of climate change, while promoting 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 create 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 changing world around us. This gives 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. Our teachers engage in world leading research and practice that directly informs our teaching.

We also employ tutors from the industry who provide valuable insights into professional practice. We have a unique relationship with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Their researchers and scientists contribute to teaching with their knowledge of plants and horticulture.

**How you will learn**

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.

**Study abroad opportunities**

We currently offer exchange opportunities with renowned landscape architecture institutions in mainland Europe and Australia.

You will also have the change 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. This makes 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 the ability to find a job in a place of their choice.

**Work placements**

Our programme offers a period of work placement that allows students to experience professional life and form connections with professional practices, while testing potential career paths. You will have the opportunity to take up work placements worldwide.

**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.

Subjects

• Landscape architecture