Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation MSc in Landscape Architecture

Requirements

The following criteria must be met in order to be admitted to the Master’s programme in Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation.

General entry requirements: first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad.

Specific entry requirements: specialisation comprising 90 credits in one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:

• architecture

• landscape architecture

• landscape planning

• community planning

• physical planning

• human, social and economic geography

and

a portfolio submitted as per instructions and approved.

The portfolio will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Relevance to the subject area – has the student worked on issues within landscape architecture?

• Level of knowledge – has the student formulated the task in a relevant theoretical context?

• Skills – has the student demonstrated an ability to formulate the task in a comprehensible way in text and images?

If the portfolio meets the above criteria, the applicant is deemed qualified and considered able to profit from the programme. The assessment of the portfolio is made by the programme board for education in landscape and horticulture. The specific entry requirements stated above can also be met by someone who has received equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad or in some other way.

In addition, knowledge equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6 is required. According to a local SLU decision, this requirement is fulfilled by applicants who have a first-cycle degree (180 credits) from a Swedish university or have completed 120 credits at SLU. English 6 can also be obtained in other ways. These are specified on antagning.se/universityadmissions.se.

There are specific entry requirements for each course included in the programme. These are described in the relevant course syllabus.

Goals

General objectives

The general objectives for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Swedish Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).

Objectives for a Degree

In accordance with the annex to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), for a Degree of Master (120 credits), the student shall:

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and

• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information,

• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake specialised tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work,

• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and

• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical considerations and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work,

• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and

• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Exam

Degree awarded on completion of the programme

Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation – Master’s Programme aims at a Degree of Master of Science with a major in Landscape Architecture, a general qualification. See SLU:s internal directives for grading systems and examination rights.

Students who fulfill the qualification requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) will be provided with a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Landscape Architecture.

Degree requirements

A Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Landscape Architecture will be awarded on completion of the course examinations (Pass grades) to the value of 120 credits, with the following requirements:

• a minimum of 30 credits courses shall concern in-depth study within Landscape Architecture (A1N, A1F),
• a minimum of 30 credits shall concern independent work (degree project) within Landscape Architecture (A2E).

Maximum of 30 credit courses at first cycle level.

There is additional requirement of a completed Degree of Bachelor, Professional Degree of a minimum of 180 credits or a corresponding overseas qualification.

Content and Structure

Programme description

The purpose of the program is to provide students with a bachelor’s degree related to landscape architecture an opportunity to immerse themselves in those parts of the subject that concerns sustainable urban and rural perspectives. The resulting master’s degree is preparing for an academic research career or a professional career in the part of the landscape architecture that a Bachelor´s degree, or Professional degree, in combination with the specialization within the program makes possible.

The programme is flexible within the frame of available courses, which almost all are shared with year 4-5 of the Landscape Architecture programme in Uppsala. After the first semester the students choose freely between courses, where also other courses at the Department of Urban and Rural development fit in. The freedom to choose implies an opportunity to specialize within the frame of the subject. The education ends with the independent master’s project course (30 credits).

All learning objectives are at least touched upon during the first semester, but are deepened in different ways and to a large extent throughout the program. Particularly the scientific aspects are prepared in a theory- and methodology course that precedes the independent work.

Students gain different levels of knowledge, depending on interest, need and personal inclination, on the scientific and artistic foundation of landscape architecture, the theory and history of landscape architecture, and different processes for planning, design and development of landscapes. Furthermore, the students are expected to gain knowledge in the professional aspects of landscape architecture, its methods, techniques and materials, relevant legislation, and people’s different needs, experiences and use of the physical environment.

Courses in urban development and large scale landscaping provide methodology and practice in an international context focusing on sustainability issues. An important aspect is the ability to understand the motives and frameworks for physical planning and society´s organization. Knowledge of sustainability and long-term development at a more detailed level is also communicated in a course aimed at managing cultural environments and green infrastructure.

The programme provides training of a number of skills, such as initiating and formulating processes for design, planning and development of landscapes and implementing and evaluating qualified and creative tasks within the area of landscape architecture. Other important aspects of the programme involve integrating different competences and user groups in design, planning and development processes, judging and managing complex phenomena and problems – particularly regarding sustainable development of landscapes in the tracks of urbanisation. The teaching takes place through lectures and literature studies as well as field trips and project/studio work.

The programme is taught in English.

Courses in the programme

Seven courses as well as an independent project are given within the programme. At admission to the programme, the students are admitted to the courses ”Landscape architecture: History, theory and practice” and ”Studio – Landscape architecture for sustainable urban design”. An independent project of at least 30 credits (landscape architecture, A2E) is compulsory for a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits).

Main subject area: Landscape Architecture (LK) Technology (TN) Techique (TE)

Year 1
Landscape Architecture: History, theory and practice, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Studio – Landscape architecture for sustainable urban design, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Roles and methods for landscape architecture in comprehensive planning, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Studio - Urban ecology for landscape architecture, 15 hp (LK, A1N)

Year 2 (compulsory courses in bold)
Studio – Water environments and landscape architecture, 15 hp (LK, A1N) Landscape planning in theory and practice, 15 hp (LK, A1F)
GIS and geographic analysis, 15 hp (TN/TE, A1N)
Independent Project in Landscape Architecture, A2E – Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation – Master’s Programme, 30 hp (LK, A2E)

The courses offered may change during the course of the programme. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.

Course syllabus - detailed information is available on the SLU student web.

Other Info

General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes

For more information on semester dates, examination and credit transfer, see the Regulations for education at Bachelor´s and Master´s level available on the SLU student web.

Possibilities for further studies

Students who complete Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation – Master’s programme and are awarded a degree have the possibility to continue their studies at doctoral level.