Landscape Architecture MSc with a major in Landscape Architecture

Requirements

To be eligible for the Landscape Architecture - Master’s programme, the requirements are:

• General entry requirements: a Bachelor´s degree (undergraduate cycle) corresponding to a minimum of 180 credits

• Specific entry requirements: 90 credits specialisation in one of the following subjects/educational areas:

• Architecture

• Landscape Architecture

• Landscape Planning

• Built Environment

• Design

• Spatial Planning

• Geography

• Landscape Science

• Environmental Science

• Civil Engineering

The specific admission requirements according to the above can also be fulfilled by those having corresponding qualifications from a foreign degree or if corresponding qualifications have been obtained in alternative ways.

In addition, knowledge corresponding to English 6 (Swedish secondary school) is required. This is according to a local SLU decision fulfilled by those who have a degree comprising at least 180 credits at first cycle level from a Swedish higher educational institute or 120 credits completed studies at SLU. English 6 can also be achieved in other ways, which are specified at universityadmissions.se.

For entry to the different courses included within the programme, the specific entry requirements prescribed for each individual course apply.

Admission to some of the courses (marked whit 1 during “CONTENT AND OUTLINE, b) courses in the program”) requires an approved portfolio according to instructions decided by the Programme board for educations within landscape and horticulture.

It is further recommended that the applicant has knowledge and skills corresponding to at least 15 credits from studio/project courses in landscape architecture.

Goals

Objectives for a Degree

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 Master

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

Knowledge and understanding

• 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

• 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

• 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 – Master’s Programme aims at a Degree of Master of Science with a major in Landscape Architecture, a general qualification. See local instructions.

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),

• a 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 programme is to give students with an international bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and students with a bachelor’s degree in a subject related to landscape architecture an opportunity to pursue deeper studies in the subject. The resulting master’s degree can be used as a starting point for a professional career or as preparation for an academic career as a researcher within the specific branch of landscape architecture that the combination of the bachelor’s degree and the specialisation within the master’s degree makes possible.

The programme is flexible within the frame of available courses, which almost all are shared with year 4-5 of the landscape architect programme in Alnarp. During the education the students are free to choose among the courses that are supposed to cover the subject landscape architecture. The freedom to choose implies an opportunity to specialise within the frame of the subject. Among the available courses are 15 credits at A1F level and a master’s project course (30 credits).

All learning outcomes are at least touched upon already during the first semester, but are deepened to varying degrees during the entire programme. Particularly the scientific aspects are mainly trained in the A1F level course and the master’s project.

More specifically the students are expected to 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 design, planning 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.

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 – and to understand motives and limitations of physical planning and community organisation.

The programme is taught in English.

Courses in the programme

At admission to the programme, the students are admitted to the courses “Explorations into Landscape Architecture” och ”Landscape Architecture Theory, Methodology and Practice”. An independent project of at least 30 credits (LK, A2E) is mandatory for a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits).

Main fields of study:
BI = Biology
LK = Landscape Architecture
SG = Forest Science
TD = Horticultural Science

**1st semester **
Explorations into Landscape Architecture, 15 credits (LK, A1N) Landscape Architecture Theory, Methodology & Practice, 15 credits (LK, A1N)

2nd – 4th semester (optional courses, and mandatory independent project in bold)
Design Project – Advanced Planting Design, 15 hp (LK, A1N) 
Digital Landscape Visualisation *, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Planning project – Transforming Urban Landscapes *, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Space, Place, Mobility *, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
People and Environment, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Planning Project – Large Scale Structures, Analysis and EIA *, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Urban Forestry - Management of Urban Forest and Trees, 15 hp (LK/SG, A1N)
Advanced Digital Landscape Analysis with GIS, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Climate Change - Landscape in Transition 15 hp (LK/BI, A1N)
Design Project – Site, Concept and Theory *, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Urban Landscape Design, 15 hp (LK/TD, G2F)
Conservation of Gardens, Parks and Designed Landscapes, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
The Cultural Heritage of Landscape Architecture, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Design Project – Composition and Materiality *, 15 hp (LK, A1F)
Dynamic Vegetation Design, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Urban Agriculture and Social Interaction, 15 hp (LK/TD, G2F)
Theme Course, 15 hp (LK, A1N)
Landscape Architecture Practice, 15 hp (LK, AXX) 
Independent Project in Landscape Architecture, A2E - Landscape Architecture- Master´s Programme, 30 hp (LK, A2E)

Courses marked with * have an approved portfolio as part of the eligibility requirements. 

The courses offered may change during the course of the programme. This may lead to a new version of the syllapus in which information of transitional provisions is specified. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.

Each course in the programme has a syllabus with specific requirements for that course. Detailed information about when the courses are given is presented at the SLU student web site.

During certain study periods (parts of the semester), SLU offers several program courses that the student can choose from. The student is guaranteed a place on one of these courses, given that the entry requirements are met and that the student has applied on time.

Transition regulations and other regulations

Other rules

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 – Master’s programme and are awarded a degree have the possibility to continue their studies at doctoral level.