Landscape Architecture

The courses offered in this programme represent a broad range of subjects within the field Landscape Architecture. The education is based on contemporary and international theories in Landscape Architecture, but also on research and knowledge developed at the campus in relation with practise and the profession. You can for example find courses in open space design, in urban and rural landscape planning or in horticultural and dynamic vegetation design. Besides these directions, you can also combine different types of courses to develop your own profile according to your own preferences and interests. The education uses a combination and synthesis of skill training and relevant theoretical input. You will use different computer programmes adapted for planning, design, analysis and presentation in the courses.  After one and half years of courses the studies end with a Master’s project (thesis) during one semester, where you independently plan and carry out a theoretical and practical project.

Portfolio instructions for applying to Landscape Architecture – master’s programme, 2018

A portfolio is a collection of samples from projects, assignments or other work that have been carried out during previous education or previous professional activity. The submitted portfolio should include examples from three (3) projects or assignments that illustrate, in both text and images, the student’s ability to design and plan a landscape or an environment. The balance between the amount of texts and images depends on the treated subject. The works must be correctly referenced and reflect the student’s choice as well as his/her relation to the illustrated landscape. A jury assigned by SLU will consider the portfolio according to following aspects:

The relevance of the treated subject – has the student worked with questions relevant for landscape architecture?

The presented projects should have a clear focus on landscape. The landscape can be represented in different scales and can include both urban and rural situations. Examples of landscapes are gardens, parks, cemeteries, squares, streets, residential areas, cities, recreation areas, municipalities, regions and the systems they may be a part of. Treated landscape should be put in a context and be explained how it relates to its surroundings. The projects should address issues and questions in landscape architecture that can be linked to the areas and places described.

The level of knowledge – has the student handled the subject in a relevant theoretical context? 

The projects should demonstrate your current ability to design, plan and/or manage landscapes. Both visualizations and the text should show how experienced you are in the processes that can be related to these activities. Reflection and theoretical connection (when possible) are valued.

The skill of the work – has the student presented an ability to handle the project or assignment in words as well as visually, and also shown the ability to independently and satisfactorily use digital tools?

The projects in the portfolio must be presented through texts, graphics, plans, sections, and/or other visualizations that you have done. The visualizations and layout should be coherent and logic for each project. There should be a clear message and content.

Great importance will be given to assessing your ability to use tools for visualization, also digital. It’s required that your projects express your skills to explore, sketch, present and communicate your ideas through several different methods such as; pen/cray drawing, CAD, Photoshop and InDesign. It’s an advantage if you can show abilities in model making, Sketch-Up and GIS as well. Feel free to use and explore material like photos of models etc. For all visualizations, please write in the portfolio which techniques and materials (i.e. computer program, cardboard, etc.) that you have worked with.

The portfolio format

Portfolio must be submitted in pdf format (please check that your portfolio can be accessed on other computers than your own). The format should be in landscape A3 and comprise a maximum of 16 pages. We will print the submitted portfolio for our assessment.

You must write your name and application number from universityadmissions.se on the portfolio but no more information about yourself is required (no CV).

The portfolio should be submitted in an e-mail as a PDF-document (max 60MB) to e-mail address: PortfolioLAM@slu.se
Write in the e-mail’s subject field: Portfolio LAM

Please notice that you should also apply to the programme at www.universityadmissions.se.

Note: The last day for application for international students is 15^th of January 2018. The last day for submitting the portfolio is 1^st of February 2018.

We wish you good luck!