MLA Master of Landscape Architecture

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Manchester Metropolitan University

Program Overview

The MLA at Manchester School of Architecture trains you to design sustainable and socially responsive landscapes that work for people, nature and cities. It’s a great fit for students from design- or built-environment backgrounds who want to move into landscape architecture and develop strong creative, ecological and professional skills.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
You build the foundations of landscape architecture — how landscapes function, how ecology and communities shape design, and how to work with planting and environmental systems. Through units such as Introduction to Landscape Architecture, Planting Design and Technologies and Landscape Theory and Context, you learn how design decisions influence people, biodiversity and climate adaptation.

Year 2:
You move into more advanced and professional practice. Studio-based learning deepens your design approach, supported by units like Landscape Profession and Practice and a final Dissertation and Exhibition, where you develop an in-depth research and design project that becomes a key part of your portfolio.

Focus areas:
Sustainable landscape design, climate-adaptive environments, ecological planning, community and urban landscapes, professional landscape practice

Learning outcomes:
Graduates leave able to design ecologically responsible landscapes, integrate environmental and social needs, communicate ideas through high-level design representation, and present a portfolio suitable for professional practice.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Accredited by the Landscape Institute (LI) and recognised by IFLA — a valuable step toward becoming a chartered landscape architect and gaining international recognition.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Delivered within Manchester School of Architecture — one of the most respected architecture and design schools in the UK — giving graduates strong industry recognition and career confidence.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MLA at Manchester is built around doing — you won’t just learn about landscape architecture, you’ll practise it every week. Studio time, modelling, planting studies, digital design, real site work and collaboration are all woven into the course so you graduate with confidence in both creative and technical skills. You’ll work with the same kinds of tools, materials and workflows used in professional landscape architecture studios, supported by expert technicians and tutors.

You’ll have access to an impressive range of facilities and learning experiences, including:

The B.15 Modelmaking Workshop, where you can build detailed landscape and architectural models with advanced fabrication tools such as CNC routers and laser cutters.
Specialist workshops for wood, metal, plastics, foam, ceramics and print — perfect for testing materials and construction ideas in physical form.
Digital design studios and IT suites equipped with industry-standard software for CAD, 3D modelling, visualisation, image editing and large-format printing, plus PC/Mac stations for digital workflows and portfolio preparation.
Extensive library access across both universities, including specialist architecture and design collections packed with books, journals, archives and visual resources to support design research.
Collaborative studio projects and live briefs, where you work alongside fellow MLA students and peers from related disciplines to tackle real sites and real design challenges.
Specialist digital design support, including workshops to help you master the digital tools used widely in landscape architecture and visualisation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MLA opens doors to an exciting and meaningful career where you’ll shape places people live, work and connect with nature. Graduates step into the profession with strong design skills, technical confidence and an impressive portfolio. Typical roles include landscape architect, urban designer, environmental consultant and planning manager — and the programme is designed to prepare you for these professional paths from day one.

To support your transition into the industry, you’ll benefit from:

A dedicated Careers Service that helps you with portfolio development, CV and interview support, and networking opportunities with employers across the built-environment sector.
Strong graduate outcomes, with many students securing employment or progressing into further study soon after completing the programme.
Professional impact that lasts, thanks to the MLA’s accreditation by the Landscape Institute (LI) and recognition by IFLA — credentials that hold long-term value in the UK and internationally.
Exposure to practising professionals, live projects and studio-based industry connections that help you build a genuine network before graduating.

Further Academic Progression:
After the MLA, students who want to continue studying can progress into a PhD in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or Sustainable Built Environments. Others choose specialist postgraduate routes — such as heritage landscapes, ecological design or urban planning — to deepen their technical expertise alongside their professional career.