Landscape Architecture MLA

Program Overview

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The University of Sheffield's integrated five-year Master's in Landscape Architecture program equips students with comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in landscape theories, design, and management. Through specialized pathways in ecology or planning, graduates are prepared for careers in private practice, public agencies, and community development. The program boasts world-renowned faculty, industry connections, and a No. 1 ranking for academic support, ensuring students' success in the competitive field of landscape architecture.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This five-year integrated Master's degree in Landscape Architecture is offered by the UK's only independent Department of Landscape Architecture. It includes a built-in year in practice, allowing students to gain real-world experience. The program aims to provide students with a broad training in landscape theories and creative techniques, allowing them to specialize in either ecology or planning.

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Objectives:

• To equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful landscape architects.
• To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of landscape theories and concepts.
• To develop students' creative design skills and their ability to communicate their ideas effectively.
• To prepare students for a career in landscape architecture by providing them with practical experience through a year in practice.

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Description:

The program covers all aspects of landscape architecture, from the smallest garden to large-scale urban development and rewilded country estates. Students will learn about the science, planning, design, creation, and management of urban and rural environments. The program is taught by experts specializing in a wide range of landscape disciplines, including planting design, national parks, and urban design.

• Undergraduate Benefits: Students remain registered with the University for all five years, making them eligible for undergraduate funding and student benefits.
• Accreditation: The program is fully accredited by the Landscape Institute, allowing graduates to become licentiate members and begin their Pathway to Chartership.
• Global Community: Graduates join a global community of alumni practicing in over 70 countries worldwide, providing immediate connections to established professionals.

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Core Modules:
• Reading the Contemporary Landscape: Introduces the scope and diversity of landscape architecture, focusing on design, management, and planning.
• Space Making: Develops skills and tools for evaluating existing landscapes and presenting proposals for new ones.
• Presentation, Communication, and Research Skills: Introduces digital communication skills, learning methods, and tools for academic and professional life.
• Histories of Landscape Architecture: Provides a broad introduction to the discipline and its historical context.
• The Changing Landscape: Introduces landscape and environmental planning, focusing on landscape formation, change, and drivers of change.
• The Dynamic Landscape: Further develops landscape design skills and knowledge through studio-based learning, field trips, and visits.
• Specialization Choice: Students choose between a BA (planning) or BSc (ecology) specialism, which is not reflected in the MLA degree title but can be highlighted in CVs and portfolios.

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Year 2:

• Core Modules:
• Exploration of Contemporary Landscapes: Engages students in current practice through inquiry-based learning, field study trips, and portfolio development.
• Ecological Processes, Design & Management: Introduces landscape ecology and ecological design, exploring concepts like biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Materials of Landscape - Planting Design: Introduces plants used in landscape architecture and their application in planting design.
• Materials of Landscape - Construction Design: Introduces the principles of landscape construction, focusing on functional, aesthetic, and technical properties of landscape components.
• Landscape Design - Exploration and Intervention: Focuses on generating original site-specific concepts and resolving them at various scales.
• Optional Modules:
• Landscape Planning for a Changing World: Explores the relationship between landscape, planning, policy, and governance at different scales.
• Landscape Ecology - Habitat Survey Techniques: Introduces ecological survey techniques, identification skills, and report writing.

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Year 3:

• Core Modules:
• Sustainable Communities: Focuses on the social nature of sustainable communities, emphasizing diverse and under-represented users.
• Site Planning for Sustainable Housing: Introduces sustainable housing provision and its integration with a holistic landscape vision.
• Optional Modules:
• Landscape Planning Toolkits: Provides an overview of contemporary landscape planning tools and techniques.
• Landscape Planning - Urban Regeneration: Addresses urban development patterns and processes, examining theories, typologies, and drivers of change.
• Green Infrastructure and Ecological Masterplanning: Applies ecological design and sustainable landscape management to urban greenspace.
• Landscape Ecology - Habitat Creation and Restoration: Introduces restoration ecology and vegetation management, focusing on habitat creation and restoration techniques.

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Year 4:

• Core Module:
• Landscape Architecture Integrated Masters Year in Practice: Students spend a year working in a "course relevant" role in industry, gaining practical experience and developing professional skills.

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Year 5:

• Core Modules:
• Landscape Research as Creative Practice: Introduces landscape research as a creative practice, focusing on research methods and analysis.
• Professional Skills and Technologies: Offers training in specific skills sought by contemporary landscape practices, including workshops and portfolio development.
• Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture: Introduces elements of the landscape profession, including professional practice, landscape and environmental law, and landscape contracts.
• Final Landscape Project: Students complete a largely independent project to a professional standard, demonstrating their ability to integrate knowledge and skills.
• Experimental Landscape Design: Enables students to explore experimental and innovative design approaches through workshops or independent projects.
• Optional Modules:
• Advanced Landscape Design - Conceptual and Strategic: Develops creative and original responses to landscape-related projects, focusing on conceptual and strategic exploration.
• Advanced Landscape Planning - Global Issues: Develops informed responses to landscape planning challenges, focusing on global issues and their impact on landscape.
• Advanced Landscape Management - Managing for Change: Explores management principles and guidelines for specific sites, considering social, climate, and ecological change.
• Advanced Landscape Design - Materiality of Landscape: Develops creative responses to landscape-related projects, focusing on detailed design proposals and materiality.
• Advanced Landscape Planning - Local Engagement: Develops informed responses to landscape planning challenges, focusing on local community engagement and inclusive planning processes.
• Advanced Landscape Management - Stewardship: Develops maintenance principles and guidelines for specific sites, focusing on long-term solutions and stewardship.

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Assessment:

• Assessment Methods:
• Group and individual coursework, including design portfolios, written reports, and presentations.
• Feedback is provided throughout the semester via tutorials, interim and peer reviews.
• The year in practice is assessed through a self-assessment of skills, a record of skills and knowledge gained, and a portfolio.
• Students receive a graded mark based on their grade point average, with different levels weighted accordingly.

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Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Studio-based learning, including workshops, seminars, tutorials, and project reviews.
• Lectures, site visits, field trips, and practical sessions in the Print and Make workshop.
• 24/7 online access to the University's online library service.
• Study spaces and computers are available for flexible study.
• Faculty:
• World-renowned academics involved in prestigious projects like London's Olympic Park.
• Strong links with leading practitioners in the field.
• Regular guest lectures by prominent figures in landscape architecture.

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Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Private practice
• Community development agencies
• Local authorities
• National governments
• Opportunities:
• Graduates are in high demand and find employment worldwide.
• Leading industry figures attend the end-of-year exhibition and advertise vacancies.
• Outcomes:
• Alumni include a former President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects and multiple RHS medal winners.

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Other:

• Department of Landscape Architecture:
• Ranked No.
1 for academic support in the National Student Survey 2023.
• Ranked No.
1 for landscape architecture in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
• Ranked in the top 3 for landscape architecture in The Times Good University Guide 2024.
• University Rankings:
• Number one in the Russell Group for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2023.
• 92% of research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
• Ranked in the top 50 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023.
• Number one Students' Union in the UK in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017.
• Number one for teaching quality, Students' Union, and clubs/societies in the StudentCrowd 2023 University Awards.
• A top 20 university targeted by employers in The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers report.
• Facilities:
• Studios facilitate digital and hands-on design practice, providing drawing boards, a wireless network, and kitchen space.
• The Print and Make workshop is equipped with mechanical and hand tools, including laser cutters, CNC routers, bandsaws, and a casting room.
• Department IT suites are supplied with high-specification computers, industry-standard software, and support from IT and graphics experts.
• Location:
• Students are based in the Arts Tower, an iconic building with panoramic views across Sheffield.
• Lectures are held across campus, and students travel for site visits.
• City:
• Sheffield is a dynamic city with a rich learning and research environment.
• The city combines urban areas with awe-inspiring views of the Peak District.
• The Department of Landscape Architecture has led initiatives like Grey to Green and Love Square, giving students the chance to be involved in live projects.

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The MLA is charged at the undergraduate rate: four years of undergraduate fees, plus the fee for the year in practice which is equivalent to 13% of the undergraduate fee. £9,250Home students 2024 annual tuition fee £25,540Overseas students 2024 annual tuition fee