Landscape Architecture 2012 Entry

Honours Degree

Landscape architects design and create experiential and sustainable spaces that enhance the health and well-being of people and our planet.

Whether in rural or urban areas, in the UK or across the world, as a landscape architect in practice you could be planning and designing urban landscapes in cities such as Gloucester, managing the construction of the Olympic Landscape in London or creating ecologically sensitive development masterplans for islands in the Indian Ocean.

The Landscape Architecture course at Francis Close Hall is a vocational course aimed at those wishing to work within the chartered profession.

Working in our dedicated landscape studios, you will have access to industry standard software, printing facilities, the internet and our ‘green’ laboratory.

You will visit sites, produce surveys, talk to clients and produce designs, models, visualisations, strategies, technical drawings, explore the construction process and the future of your landscapes. Frequent field visits, ‘real’ clients and guest lecturers enable you to develop confidence, gain expertise and develop your own imaginative approach to design and your career.

Through exercises and workshops you will learn new skills, explore all areas of the subject and develop your approach as a designer. We will expect you to be hard-working, imaginative, creative, passionate and enthusiastic, to take risks and to acquire knowledge. Career prospects in landscape architecture are excellent and our graduates are able to work in organisations and practices across the world.

Download the Course Handbook.

Some of our modules

Visual Communications
Context, Meaning and Form
Sustainable Technology
Professional Landscape Projects
Urban Landscape Design
Design and the Community

Benefits

dedicated studios, with resources such as industry standard digital software and a green laboratory
real design projects, with real clients and guest visits from industry professionals
annual Sustainable Lecture Series and end of year show

Career paths

UK and international professional landscape practices
local authorities and national government organisations
environmental design consultancy

Are there any placements for this course?

Optional placement.

How will the course be assessed?

Coursework, assessments, design projects, reports, seminars, presentations and exhibitions.

Entry requirements

A-levels with at least one in art design or a related subject or a BTEC National Diploma in Art, Design, Spatial studies, Horticulture or related discipline.
selection is normally by interview and portfolio
points for degree 260 using the UCAS Tariff system

Associated professional accreditations

The Landscape Institute.

Study Options

Full-time and Part-time

Location

Francis Close Hall

Profile: Daniel Gould

"The course has brought my existing skills into the current market place and as a proactive student I've made good contacts with local authorities."

BA Landscape Architecture

After several interviews with other universities I decided on Gloucestershire because of the beautiful location of the campus in the heart of the Cotswolds and also due to the history of the course and reputation from the Landscape Institute.

Being a mature student I appreciated the openness of the lecturer at the open day I attended and the enthusiasum he showed for the opportunities available on completion of such a course. The design studios are very well equipped and there is a 'family’ feel to the department created by lecturers and students with occasional social events.

As a student representative I enjoyed encouraging students to interact through all four years of study to create a harmony of interest for the industry. Seminars and talks by visiting professionals were outstanding and inspirational for all. I was also the Landscape Institute representative which has given me the chance to make many contacts within the industry and I've been able to represent the university and institute at national and international events throughout the years.

The course has brought my existing skills into the current market place and as a proactive student I've made good contacts with local authorities. The best transferable skill I've gained has been self confidence in industry knowledge and the ability to sell myself as a competent landscape architect.

I'm now self-employed as a landscape contractor, delivering design and build projects in the area but have also won commissions for local authority design tenders. I would say my responsibilities are to utilise the skills I've gained in professional, ethical landscape design and construction.

The industry can fulfill all aspirations for stewardship of our landscape and environment in the promotion of ethical, sustainable design. This can only benefit the future of our society. Things are constantly changing and therefore continual education is vital for the next generation of landscape architects who can fulfill this role.

As a teenager I always wanted to make a difference in the way we observe and use the landscape, whether rural or urban. Landscape architecture is the future of contemporary, ethical design practice and will change the way we live in the future.

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