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The MLA (“Master of Landscape Architecture”, integrated) is a five-year course combining design, ecological planning, and practical experience. It’s great if you care about nature and people — if you want to shape places (parks, cities, rural landscapes) in ways that are beautiful, sustainable, and socially inclusive.
Curriculum structure
Here’s what you’ll learn year by year, roughly, with some example modules to give you a feel:
Year 1
In your first year you’ll build foundational skills in both theory and practice. You’ll study modules like Reading the Contemporary Landscape (learning about current issues and the role of landscape architecture in solving them), Space Making (how to design and visually represent space, materials, and basic planting), Presentation, Communication & Research Skills (skills for drawing, digital design, communicating ideas), Histories of Landscape Architecture (where ideas come from, past exemplars), The Changing Landscape (environmental planning, GIS, landscape character assessment), and The Dynamic Landscape (site analysis to design proposals, graphic/digital and freehand work, planting & materials).
Year 2 & Year 3 (mid-years)
You’ll gradually deepen design, planning, and ecological knowledge. Expect to do more complex studio design work, site visits, perhaps collaborations or group projects. You’ll pick either a specialism in ecology or planning, which affects which modules you take. You’ll also be introduced to more technical and environmental modules: for example those involving landscape policy, ecological flows, habitat restoration, detailed planting design, and large-scale landscape planning. These years build your professional and disciplinary identity.
Year 4 – Year in Professional Practice
In Year 4 you’ll spend time working in a professional landscape architecture practice. That gives you real-world experience: you’ll apply what you’ve learned in actual practice, understand how firms operate, how projects come together, and develop your skills in context.
Year 5 – Final Year & Integration
Your final year is where you pull everything together. You’ll work on a major design project tailored to your interests (planning or ecology), often with a showcase or exhibition of your work for prospective employers. You’ll refine technical, conceptual, ecological, and planning components, and leave ready to start your pathway to professional qualification.
The MLA program emphasizes practical engagement, ensuring students develop both creative and technical skills essential for professional practice. Through a combination of studio work, field trips, and industry placements, students gain real-world experience that enhances their learning and employability.
Key experiential learning components include:
Studio-Based Design Projects: Students engage in design projects that simulate real-world challenges, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Field Trips: Organized visits to various landscapes provide firsthand experience and inspiration, enriching students' understanding of different environments.
Industry Placements: A year-long placement in a professional setting allows students to apply their knowledge in practice, building valuable industry connections.
Workshops and Seminars: Hands-on workshops and seminars led by industry experts offer practical skills and insights into current trends and technologies in landscape architecture.
Collaborative Projects: Working in teams on collaborative projects helps students develop teamwork and communication skills, essential for professional success.
Access to Specialized Facilities: Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including design studios and workshops, supporting their creative and technical endeavors.
These experiences are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of landscape architecture.
Graduates of the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from the University of Sheffield are well-equipped to embark on impactful careers in urban and rural design, environmental planning, and ecological restoration. With a comprehensive five-year curriculum that includes a year in professional practice, students gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. This combination positions them for roles such as:
University Support & Outcomes:
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MLA, graduates have the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies, such as a Master of Landscape Architecture (MA) or related fields, to further specialize and enhance their expertise.
Standard XII (India – all exam boards using a percentage scale) 75%American (GPA/AP) - Entry needs a 3.0+ GPA plus AP/college-level classes; AP scores like AAA = 5,5,5. Classes must be academic and semester-long.International Baccalaureate 33; 32, with B in the extended essayABB A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification BBB + B in the EPQIELTS - Needs 6.5 overall, 6.5 in writing, no band below 6.0. Pre-sessional English courses are available if scores fall short.TOEFL - TOEFL iBT is accepted with scores equivalent to IELTS 6.5. or 80 Higher scores may be required for non-native English speakers.Architectural AssistantUrban Design Assistant Interior Designer 3D Visualiser / Architectural Illustrator Construction Project Manager (assistant level) Planning & Development Officer Property Developer / Real Estate Consultant Landscape Designer Furniture Designer Set Designer (filmtheatreTV) Lighting Designer Exhibition & Museum Designer
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The University of Sheffield
