Landscape Architecture, Master of (MLA)
The Master of Landscape Architecture focuses on the theories, methods and practice of landscape architecture. It equips you for practice in a landscape-related discipline.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2023
Overview
Landscape architects create and manage the landscapes we live and work in. They plan and design places. This ranges from the private garden to the urban square and the city region.
The Master of Landscape Architecture is a two-year full-time postgraduate conversion course. It's suitable for:
- graduates in other disciplines who wish to qualify and work as professional landscape architects
- those with international landscape qualifications who wish to pursue professional studies in the UK
Whether or not you have a background in design, you'll develop the skills needed for contemporary practice.
You'll gain a practical understanding of the theories, methods and techniques employed in landscape architecture. Most of what you learn is applicable worldwide.
The Master of Landscape Architecture has candidate accreditation from the Landscape Institute (LI). We are applying for full LI Accreditation status upon graduation of the first cohort.
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Important information
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Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
The Landscape Architecture course is organised around a core of design studios. You'll acquire specialist knowledge in such areas as:
- site-planning
- land modelling
- landscape construction
- planting design
- visualisation
You’ll learn a number of design and presentation skills. The course is intellectually stimulating and looks at history and design theory. You'll also cover pressing contemporary issues, such as:
- the climate crisis
- social justice
- rapid urbanisation
After completing the Master of Landscape Architecture, you’ll:
- be able to demonstrate advanced understanding and critical thinking about landscape architecture as a form of action concerned with creating and managing space and place
- gain an understanding of the complexities of landscape issues and problems and be able to integrate knowledge and skills from different areas of the curriculum
- acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of the way landscape has been conceptualised and theorised at different times and in different places, informed by relevant research findings and relevant practice
- gain insight into the philosophies, ideologies and critical positions which underpin different approaches to landscape
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
How you'll learn
You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- online and in-person lectures
- seminars
- workshops
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Design or creative project
- Essay
- Practical lab report
- Portfolio
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
The Degree Programme Director is Dr Usue Ruiz Arana.
Usue is a chartered landscape architect, researcher and educator. She teaches across design studios, professional practice and design thesis. Her research focused on two interrelated strands: more-than-human conceptualisations and listening and sounding in Landscape Architecture Practice.
Through her research, Usue seeks to affirm non-humans as designers, and design and art as forms of research. She draws on her 20-year career in practice. She has explored experimental arts methods such as soundwalks, photography, and temporary installations. Her keen interest in design and art as forms of research informs her role as Thinking Eye editor of the peer review Journal of Landscape Architecture.
Your development
Professional skills
You’ll develop a number of skills during the Master of Landscape Architecture, including:
- defining and critically analysing problems effectively and appropriately drawing on current research and knowledge
- effectively collecting, synthesising and utilising evidence and information
- creating effective design solutions to problems given in the form of design briefs
- articulating reasoned arguments, drawing on a range of information sources
- developing research skills and experience in the context of the School’s research interests
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You'll be part of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. You'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities during your time at Newcastle.
Find out more about our School facilities.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Nicola Rutherford
Learning and Teaching Assistant (PGT Design)
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6509
Email: nicola.rutherford@ncl.ac.uk
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