Subject area: Landscape Architecture

Introducing Landscape Architecture

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

Landscape architects design spatial settings for social interaction and everyday life, meaning they play an essential role in promoting public health and social justice in society.

At larger scales, landscape architects formulate planning strategies for:

• urban growth
• infrastructural and ecological networks
• carbon reduction
• hydrological systems

If you care deeply about the living planet and the environment that surrounds you and if you are a creative person with a passion for nature in all its forms, the study of landscape architecture is for you.

Landscape architecture at the University of Edinburgh

The MA in Landscape Architecture at the University of Edinburgh is one of the most respected programmes in the UK and is renowned internationally as a leading centre of landscape architecture research and education. The programme is situated in the creative and vibrant context of Edinburgh College of Art.

Throughout the degree, you will develop an in-depth understanding of how to read the landscape around you. As you progress through the programme you will develop an understanding of materials and technology, alongside cultural and ecological processes, enabling you to design sustainable environments fitting for the locations in which they are held.

Our aim is to help develop students’ individuality, curiosity and creativity, to produce graduates who can go out into the world and make a positive change through their future career.

Global Challenges

Landscape architects play an essential role in building a sustainable future for our planet.

Many of society’s greatest challenges are embedded in landscapes, including:

• climate change
• land degradation and biodiversity loss
• sustainable cities and communities
• inclusive societies and social wellbeing

These challenges require new solutions for how we care for and maintain our shared landscape resources. In response, students on our programme work creatively across a diverse range of environments and scales, considering approaches for people, places and all the living entities upon which our planet’s health depends.

Careers

At Edinburgh we have established an international reputation for developing students of the highest calibre, making them highly employable within a vibrant profession.

Landscape architecture is a globally established profession, offering the potential for our graduates to find work across the world. Numerous landscape architecture practices can be found in any major city, meaning our graduates have great scope in finding employment in a region of choice.

Study abroad

We currently offer exchange opportunities with renowned landscape architecture institutions in mainland Europe and Australia, as well as a route to study on the unique European Masters in Landscape Architecture programme.

There are several opportunities to study abroad offered through the programme, including:

• exchange opportunities in semester one of Year 3
• the possibility to arrange a work placement in Europe or further afield in Year 4
• the opportunity to apply for the European Masters in Landscape Architecture (EMiLA) upon successful completion of Year 3