Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation

MSC IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
  • Course scope: 2 years, 120 credits
  • Study location: Uppsala

Would you like to expand your knowledge and skills in the field of landscape architecture's larger-scale developments? Then this is the right Master’s programme for you.

Programme information

Urbanisation poses major challenges for the development of urban and rural landscapes and how they are planned, designed and managed for future generations. Welcome to a Master’s programme that alternates theory and project work giving you the opportunity to incorporate sustainable urban design into theoretical and practical aspects of landscape architecture.  

Based at SLU’s Uppsala campus, the programme attracts students from all over the world interested in sustainable urban-rural perspectives. Real-life landscape architecture project assignments are primarily obtained from Sweden and the surrounding region, but contents of theory and method are international and current in character and you will also be able to participate in trips to study landscape architecture in Europe.  

You will be studying together with students from other programmes and you will also have the opportunity to study courses at SLU's Alnarp campus in southern Sweden.  The two Master's programmes in landscape architecture are strategically located in two of Sweden's most vital and expansive regions, and together they represent Europe's largest combined concentration of educational competence in landscape architecture. 

As a Master’s graduate you will have a unique profile for future employment dealing with landscape and urban development issues in society and will be able to work with other landscape planners and architects in municipalities or consultancy companies. The programme also gives you a sound foundation for a future career in research. 

 

Facts and requirements

Name: Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation - Master's Programme
Level: Master
Language: English
Programme scope: 2.0 year , 120.0 credits
Next start: HT 2025

Tuition Fees: Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.

First semester: 102000
First semester half time: 102000
Total: SEK 408000

Application deadline for international students: 2025-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students: 2025-04-15

Study location: Uppsala
Pace of study: Full-time
Teaching form: On-campus
Number of admission places: 20
Application code for Swedish students: 81147
Application code for international students: 81148

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.

Degree:

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.

Portfolio instructions for applying to the Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation – Master’s Programme

A portfolio is a collection of examples of projects, essays, research studies, theses, or other work undertaken during previous education or professional practice.

The portfolio should contain between 3 and 5 examples. Examples can include practical projects and essays or theses, that illustrate in text and image the student's ability to understand socio-spatial/environmental issues, their capacity to analyze and critically reflect on urban/rural landscape problems, and skills in formulating and presenting planning, design, or artistic projects.

Examples may also include engagement in social processes and practices, such as; facilitating participatory planning, management, or design practices; organizing and/or curating an exhibition; or producing a policy or opinion piece through creative writing and/or visualization. The balance between text and images will depend on the subject matter.

The submitted portfolio should also include a cover letter briefly outlining the candidate's profile, interest in the subject and motivation for applying to the LASU program.

A jury assigned by SLU will evaluate the portfolio according to following aspects:

Has the student shown a particular interest in and motivation for the programme?
Relevance of the treated subject – has the student worked with questions relevant for the programme?
Level of knowledge – has the student handled the subject in a relevant theoretical context?
The skill of the work – has the student presented an ability to handle the project or assignment in words as well as visually?
If the portfolio meets the above criteria, the applicant is deemed qualified and considered able to partake in the programme. The assessment of the portfolio is made by the programme board for education in landscape and horticulture. All decisions are final. The students will not receive comments on submitted portfolios.

The specific criteria stated above can also be met by students who have received equivalent knowledge through corresponding qualifications from overseas or from an alternative institution.

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

Portfolio format:

  • Maximum of 12 pages
  • Either in A4 or A3 format
  • Saved as a PDF document (max 60MB)
  • The portfolio must be anonymous

The portfolio, including the presented projects/assignments within the portfolio, must be anonymous. Write only your application number from universityadmissions.se or antagning.se in the portfolio.

The portfolio should be submitted in an e-mail as a PDF-file to the e-mail address: PortfolioLASU@slu.se

Name the PDF-file “Portfolio_LASU_x.pdf” (x = your application number). In the e-mail you write both your name and application number. Write in the e-mail’s subject field: Portfolio LASU

Please note:

All students should also apply to the programme at www.universityadmissions.se.

First admission round:

Concluded

Second admissions round:

The last day for application is 15th of April 2025.

The last day for submitting the portfolio is the 30th of April 2025.

Welcome with your application to the Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanisation - Master’s programme in Uppsala!


More information about what supporting documentation is required

Admission: There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.

 

Content

This  Master’s programme includes courses in the history of landscape architecture, theory, methodology and interdisciplinary studio courses with landscape and urban development perspectives, including those with an ecological focus and management of culturally valuable landscapes.

The courses are led by researchers and teachers with solid professional experience based on current research, with an artistic foundation and proven experience. The programme also has links with several professionals.

Students will work with space and landscape analysis, develop previously acquired knowledge in digital visual presentation tools and deepen their ability to work in projects. Real-life landscape projects will be used to develop analytical and creative abilities, focusing on a holistic perspective. Students are also able to learn GIS and geographic analysis.

The open structure of the programme enables students to study other SLU courses or at other universities.

Welcome to SLU Campus Uppsala

Uppsala, Sweden's fourth-largest city, serves as the hub of SLU's educational activities. Situated just outside the city center, SLU's Uppsala campus offers a spacious, leafy, and picturesque environment. It is a fitting setting for Sweden's only agricultural university and possibly the most research-intensive university. With two universities in Uppsala, students can immerse themselves in a lively, dynamic, and stimulating atmosphere.

Career

This programme provides a unique individual profile for future work with landscape and urban development issues in society. We are convinced that the sustainable society of the future needs people with landscaping skills and the ability to describe, analyse and propose complex spatial solutions. The skills acquired can be transferred to work in municipalities or consultancy companies. The programme also creates a good foundation for a future career in research.

 

Degree awarded


Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Landscape Architecture.

Syllabus