BA in Landscape Architecture - China and UK Delivery Birmingham City University

Learn how to create vibrant exterior environments with our accredited Landscape Architecture degree course. The course will change the way you see the world around you as you’re encouraged to think about design in all aspects of your life.

Strong connections with the region’s best landscape architecture practices and global firms such as Atkins give our students unrivalled insight and networking opportunities. That’s why our graduates go on to secure roles in the industry with the likes of Arup, Atkins, Fira and Camlins.

Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art

You can now gain a prestigious British degree while completing all or part of your studies in China, thanks to a new collaboration with a leading Chinese university. The Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art (BIFCA) is a partnership between Birmingham City University and Wuhan Textile University (WTU) based in Wuhan, China.

BIFCA offers a selection of creative arts degrees taught with the opportunity to spend two years of your studies at WTU’s fantastic Wuhan campus and two years in the exciting city of Birmingham, or the full four years at WTU.

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 that give you the chance to work on a diverse variety of live projects.

You’ll also have the opportunity to attend lectures and take part in workshops from a large variety of international and award-winning professionals.

If you choose to study part of your course in the UK, you’ll be based in our multi-million pound City Centre Campus Parkside Building and 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.

Why choose us?

1. The course is fully recognised and accredited by the Landscape Institute, allowing you to work towards full UK chartered membership.
2. You’ll gain real industry experience, working on a wide range of briefs, from broad strategic scale, down to detailed design for construction.
3. 91 per cent of leavers from the School were in employment or further study, according to a recent survey.
4. 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.
5. Two-thirds of the impact of our research was judged to be very considerable (3*) or outstanding (4*) - REF2021

Year one

Laying the foundation for deeper understanding, Years 1 and 2 cover 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.

Modules include:

• Inspiration Foundation
• Precedent
• Academic Language Skills for Art, Design and Digital Media
• Communication and Study Skills for Art, Design and Digital Media
• Key Concepts and Reflective Practice for Art, Design and Digital Media

Year two

Laying the foundation for deeper understanding, Years 1 and 2 cover 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.

Modules include:

• Materials Elements
• Design Projects Components
• Praxis Key Skills
• Materials Flora
• Design Project Composition
• Integrated Research Skills in Art, Design and Digital Media

Year three

You'll develop professional approaches to design and construction in your third 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:

• CO.LAB Practice
• Theory
• Material Construction
• Praxis Approach
• Design Project Global
• Design Project Vernacular

Year four

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:

• Special Study Investigate
• Major Design Project Scope
• Major Design Project Concept
• Major Design Project Synthesis
• Major Design Project Detail

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

We have connections with landscape architecture firms. Our students benefit from these outstanding links, particularly through placement opportunities. Landscape Architecture student Daniel Watson completed a three-month paid summer placement at one of the world’s leading design, engineering and project management consultancies, Atkins.

Daniel was awarded the prize of placement after demonstrating technical excellence and design innovation in a submission looking at uses of land within a flood plain in Shrewsbury. He said: “My placement has given me a unique glimpse into working on ‘real life’ projects, learning from a team of experts every day.”

The prestigious competition will continue to run as part of the course and other placements are widely available.