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

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course during COVID-19

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.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.

View our COVID-19 Study 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

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.

Course content changes

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.

Landscape Architecture modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Conceptualising Landscape (10 credits)	10
Landscape Architecture Design 1	20
Landscape Architecture Studio 2	20
History of the Designed Landscape	10
Landscape Architecture Studio 3: Landscape Construction	20
Landscape Architecture Studio 4: Landscape Sciences, Planting Design and Greenspace Management	20
Landscape Professional Practice, Planning and Law	20
Design Thesis MLA	60
Introduction to Landscape Skills	20
Architecture and Landscape Studies Critical and Comparative	20
Green Infrastructure, Nature based and Landscape Planning 1	10
Green Infrastructure and Landscape Planning 2 (Project)	10

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:

• online and in-person lectures
• seminars
• workshops

Assessment methods

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

Student support

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:

• courses
• groups
• notifications
• messages

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• our University Student Services Team

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.

Our staff

The Degree Programme Director is Dr Ian Thompson.

Ian is a professionally qualified landscape architect with a background in philosophy and an interest in landscape architecture theory and the history of the designed landscape. He also holds an MA in photography (with Distinction) from the University of Sunderland.

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.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

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 the School facilities, including virtual tours of some teaching spaces.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2022 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

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

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• additional costs
• living costs
• tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts

Deposit

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.

Funding deadlines

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

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The applicant 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 applicant 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.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events