Introduction
Want to learn how to design the outside world? This Landscape Architecture degree course will help you to gain real industry exposure and work on a wide range of exciting briefs. The course focuses on offering experience through practice, which will enhance your chances of securing a role after you graduate.
Landscape Architecture is the design of the world outside, as a combination of art, utility and natural systems. The aim is to create rich, positive experiences and to provide designed environments, which engage users with character and a sense of place.
Through guided exploration of personal design and research process, you will explore and unwrap many layers to reveal the unlimited storyboard of design options that our landscape presents.
What's covered in this course?
Covering all aspects of landscape architecture, our course is fully recognised and accredited by the Landscape Institute (LI) and supported by a leading design team in its field.
You’ll work in a design studio culture, which mimics real-world creative practice for landscape architects and prepares you for your future career.
Experience on live local sites and project briefs in landscape studios will develop your design creativity and hone your professional practice skills. Placements and competitions will give you fantastic opportunities. There are also chances to compete for industry-connected awards.
You’ll have the chance to be part of collaborative architecture and design initiatives within the School of Architecture that give you the chance to work on a diverse variety of live projects. Past examples include explorations in timber construction in the Wyre Forest, communicating with the public about what they really want from design for Stirchley High Street in Birmingham and implementation of a viewing structure to observe wetland ecology at Henbury Ponds.
You’ll also have the opportunity to attend lectures and take part in workshops from a large variety of international and award-winning professionals. Previous guest speakers have included Martha Schwartz, Andrew Grant, Andrew Wilson, Jeppe Aagard Anderson, Neil Porter, Chris Beardshaw and Kim Wilkie.
You’ll be based in our multi-million pound City Centre Campus within our Parkside Building, where you will have access to digital studios and 3D design workshops. The proximity of the newly built Eastside Park provides inspiration for your studies, introducing a strong example of contemporary civic space and park design.
Professional placement year
This course offers a professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third years of your degree and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
The University will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. If you do not find a suitable placement, you will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year (£1,850 for UK students).
Why choose us?
- The course is fully recognised and accredited by the Landscape Institute, allowing you to work towards full UK chartered membership.
- You’ll gain real industry experience, working on a wide range of briefs, from broad strategic scale, down to detailed design for construction.
- Our connections with the region’s best landscape architecture practices give you unrivalled work experience while studying and help you secure employment after graduation.
- 91 per cent of leavers from the School were in employment or further study, according to a recent survey.
- Birmingham School of Architecture and Design is highly respected and has a rich history of providing education and opportunities. It celebrated its centenary in 2009.
- Two-thirds of the impact of our research was judged to be very considerable (3*) or outstanding (4*) - REF2021
Curriculum
Year one
Laying the foundation for deeper understanding, this year covers a broad spread of study areas, moving seamlessly, connecting abstract design theory and consideration of global scale contexts, to the micro-scale understanding of materials and technology.
Through this process, you will gain an understanding of the scope, scale and connectivity of landscape architecture, its transformative abilities and its power to help ensure a global human future.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 120 credits)
Modules include:
- Inspiration
- Skills
- Influence
- Components
- Formation
Year two
You'll develop professional approaches to design and construction in your second year.
You will develop connections between key design theories and real-world practice, through the debate of current topics, placement study, collaborative projects (Co.LAB), and the exploration of two different multifaceted design processes.
Modules include:
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 100 credits):
- Construction and Planting Design
- Context
- Work placement (Praxis)
- Urban Design
- Designed Ecologies
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of optional modules.
- Collaborative Practice
- Live project
Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Professional placement year
In order to qualify for the awards with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete all of the modules listed above as well as the following Level 5 module.
- Professional Placement
Final year
Through guided but self-directed investigations, you will define your own academic pathway.
Built on research and led via creative but pragmatic exploration in design, you will successfully communicate connections between theory, contextual analysis, project brief, conceptual proposals, design development and design detail, to produce a broad-scale, multi-layered design project.
Modules include:
Through guided but self-directed investigations, you will define your own academic pathway.
Built on research and led via creative but pragmatic exploration in design, you will successfully communicate connections between theory, contextual analysis, project brief, conceptual proposals, design development and design detail, to produce a broad-scale, multi-layered design project.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 120 credits)
- Major Project: Landscape Architecture
- Professionalism
- Major Project: Define
- Major Project: Deliver
Career Opportunities
Enhancing your employability skills
You’ll have a sound knowledge of the physical, economic and social factors which influence contemporary built environment practice. You’ll also understand the professional, legal and institutional framework of landscape architecture.
You’ll develop a comprehensive portfolio that shows employers a range of skills in design practice and academic study.
Experience on live local sites with client-driven briefs in landscape studios will develop your design creativity and hone your professional practice skills.
You’ll be skilled in the latest techniques, including rapid prototyping and 3D design.
The course supports student employability and long-term career opportunity by enhancing your development and instilling an understanding of life-long professional progression.
You’ll develop a range of transferable skills, such as how to communicate ideas and solve problems, as well as develop negotiation and planning skills. You’ll learn how to work effectively and efficiently either on your own or as part of a team.
Placements
During her studies on the BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture course, Daniela Teleku completed a work placement at Fira, a nationally recognised practice of landscape architects, urban designers, master planners and architects.
Daniela wanted experience working for a practice where Architects worked together with Landscape Architects and Fira stood out as a firm with a multidisciplinary approach to projects.
Daniela was given the opportunity to get involved in a range of project work all at different stages, from early design to on-site. Her work included detailed design for construction, conceptual and innovative design for a new play area in a historic park, looking at materials for construction, and a site visit at the University of Birmingham Hotel and Conference Centre. She also built a 3D Revit model for a mental health project.