Program Overview
The Landscape Architecture at The University of Edinburgh is a MLA programme in Architecture & Urban Planning over 21 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of architecture & urban planning. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Landscape Architecture programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 21 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 6.5
- Tuition: GBP 19,300 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,500 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Landscape Architecture programme are prepared for diverse careers in architecture & urban planning:
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Landscape Designer
- Sustainability Consultant
- Real Estate Developer
- Heritage Consultant
Program Curriculum
The MLA programme is divided into four semesters of eleven weeks, with two semesters per academic year.
- There are 9 courses across the two years of MLA:
- Four courses are design-focused, where you will be asked to develop a landscape architectural project through various scales, from region to detail.
- Four courses are centred on contextualising design practice through theory, developing critical thinking and understanding technical dimensions relevant to the discipline.
- You can also choose one elective course from the available courses in the Edinburgh College of Art and the University of Edinburgh.
Specific course briefs vary from year to year to respond to student feedback, our changing context and opportunities for collaboration. As a guideline, the two years of the MLA are structured as follows:
Year 1
In the first year of the MLA, the design, theory and techniques courses are designed to cater to both students with and without a landscape architectural background. The course briefs are written to cover the fundamentals of landscape architecture, including:
- design methods and skills at a range of scales, from region to detail
- landscape interpretation and critical appraisal
- The fundamentals of geology, geomorphology, soils, ecology and climate, and how these shape landscapes
- fieldwork
- landscape architectural theory
- ethical and sustainable use of materials in landscape architectural projects
- Inclusivity, diversity and accessibility
- technical skills and conventions
- representation and curation as tools for analysis, research, design and communication
The openness of the course briefs also enables students with more experience in the discipline to sharpen their interests beyond those fundamentals. This is supported by individual tutorials, which enable us to accompany you on your journey.
Year 2
In the second and final year of the MLA, your trajectory with us culminates in a research-led design course through which you can position yourself as a soon-to-be Landscape Architect through a distinctive design proposal.
During this course, you will work with your MLA peers as well as final year students from our MA and EMiLA programmes, creating a rich and diverse studio environment.
You will also have one elective course and one portfolio course through which you will reflect on your individual landscape architectural practice.
Find courses for this programme
Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.
The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.
Full-time
We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Field trips
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
You need the following GPA score:
Applicants for graduate programs must have the equivalent of a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree with a minimum GPA equivalent to Upper Second Class on the UK Honour scale. Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of or better on the UK Honour scale. No exam grade should be lower than 4.5 (European grade scale) or D (American grade scale).
Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated using the grades that you received in each course, and is determined by the points assigned to each grade (e.g. for the US grading scale from A-F).
Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an appropriate subject such as geography, planning or ecology. You should have a strong interest in landscape architecture and show creative potential.
You must submit a portfolio of recent work as part of your application. Your portfolio should contain 6-10 images in a variety of media that:
- collectively demonstrates your potential ability to visualise your design ideas
- demonstrate any IT skills you possess
- are sourced from work you produced at school or from a relevant first degree such as landscape architecture, architecture, art or other design programme
If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of your portfolio and/or relevant professional experience.
English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 19,300 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,500 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: GBP 19,300 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,500 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
IELTS requirement: 6.5
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact The University of Edinburgh directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
University of Edinburgh (Universitas Academica Edinburgensis) is a historic and globally respected public research university in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, founded in 1583, making it one of the...
University Profile- Application Deadline 14 September 2026
- Start Date 14 September 2026
- Language English
- Duration 21 months