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Postgraduate

MA Landscape Design

Start date:
September 2027 Application deadline:
Applications closed for 2026/27 entry College:
Camberwell College of Arts Fees:
£14,420 (Home) £30,890 (International) Fee details Course length:
1 year
A vibrant 3D garden scene featuring a serene pond and a charming fountain surrounded by lush greenery.
Jiyul Kwon, 2021 BA Interior and Spatial Design, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL

MA Landscape Design advances your landscape architecture practice through creative design, ecological understanding and critical inquiry. Develop the expertise to shape sustainable futures.

Course summary

Applications closed 2026/2027

Applications are now closed for 2026/27 entry. Applications for 2027/28 entry will open in autumn 2026.

Validation

This course is undergoing validation. This is the process by which we ensure the course provides a high-quality academic experience. During validation, there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Course overview

MA Landscape Design will help you create and lead the future of landscape design. The course will enable you to develop your design skills and critical thinking. It will give you the confidence to shape ideas about how our natural and built environments connect.

On the course, you'll build a sustainable and resilient future design practice. You'll gain a deeper understanding of how spaces can bring people together and empower communities to drive change. You'll be part of a wider spatial design research community at Camberwell College of Arts. With strong research in circularity and eco-sympoiesis, UAL can help you shape the future of your research and landscape design practice.

What to expect

  • Design process: Gain an understanding of landscape design, planning and the engineering design process. 
  • Design and modelling software: Access to AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, SketchUp (3D Modelling Software), Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, Building Information Modelling, Adobe InDesign, Vectorworks and Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
  • Urban design: Look at the design of towns, cities, streets, spaces and green infrastructure. 
  • Data analysis: Analyse and manage data by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 
  • Environmental science: Engage with horticulture, ecology and arboriculture. 
  • Impact assessments: Become familiar with what they are and require, particularly environmental assessments. 
  • Landscape management: Cover key areas such as gardening, pruning, weed control, trimming, mulch, paving and grounds keeping. 
  • Tools: Use hand and power tools. 
  • Irrigation: Be taught both landscaping and agricultural solutions. 
  • Project management: Get an introduction to Agile methodology, contract management and planning permission. 
  • Business skills: Learn risk analysis, business development, sales prospecting, warehousing, enterprise planning systems and finance. 

Industry experience and opportunities  

The self-defined nature of projects allows you to develop approaches that align with your own career interests.  

Your studies will be complimented by a unique partnership the course has made with the nearby Royal Horticultural Society. They provide access to the RHS heritage collections and rare books and use the RHS reading room. Research visits to Wisley Garden will also be offered and led by expert staff who have knowledge of garden design past and present.  

We also encourage further study through MRes or PhD study for students who want to pursue careers in research and academia.

Mode of study 

MA Landscape Design is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 12 months. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, split between teaching hours and independent study. 

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Course units

Unit 1: Discover and define

This unit introduces you to research-led landscape design practice. You'll attend a series of research and writing workshops and seminars. These will present you with a variety of methods for developing an integrated approach to theory and practice.

You'll examine historical and current case studies by looking at their urban context, design and build. You'll reflect critically on these and begin to create your own landscape design proposal. You'll define a field of study in which to contextualise your research project. This will form the basis of your progression to becoming an accredited landscape designer.

Unit 2: Define and develop

In this unit, you'll analyse your research proposal in more detail. It is about situating your work within a contemporary context relative to other practitioners. You'll work on your portfolio and critical research paper. Through these, you'll develop the basis and theory that will inform and underpin your work.

With the help of specialist tutors, you'll refine your study plan and expand your range of references. Your research can draw on other disciplines and theories. During this exploratory phase, you'll produce a large body of work through testing and prototyping.

By the end of the unit, you'll have a clear direction for your practice and writing. The unit will finish with a presentation of your work.

Unit 3: Develop and deliver

In Unit 3, you'll complete the landscape design project proposal you honed in Unit 2. You'll research, develop and realise your landscape design. You'll gain a deeper understanding of appropriate landscape architecture concepts and techniques. You'll develop your critical and creative skills in communication and presentation techniques. Through experimentation and speculative design research, you'll form an original approach to landscape architecture.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Design exercises. 
  • Group work. 
  • Individual and group tutorials. 
  • Lectures. 
  • Presentations. 
  • Reviews. 
  • Seminars. 
  • Site visits. 
  • Workshops. 

Assessment methods

  • Design portfolio. 
  • Essays. 
  • Illustrated reports and diaries. 

Staff

Adrian Friend - Interior Futures Programme Director

Fees and funding

Home fee

£14,420

This fee is correct for 2026/27 entry and is subject to change for 2027/28 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£30,890

This fee is correct for 2026/27 entry and is subject to change for 2027/28 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Additional costs

You may need to cover additional costs which are not included in your tuition fees, such as materials and equipment specific to your course. For a list of general digital equipment you may need (and how you can borrow equipment), visit our Study costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about accommodation options and how much they will cost, and other living expenses you’ll need to consider.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

If you’ve completed a qualifying course at UAL, you may be eligible for a tuition fee discount on this course. Find out more about our Progression discount.

You can also find out more about the Postgraduate Masters Loan (Home students only) and scholarships for Home and International students. Discover more about student funding.

If you’re based in the UK and plan to visit UAL for an Open Event, check if you’re eligible for our UAL Travel Bursary. This covers the costs of mainland train or airline travel to visit UAL.

How to pay

Find out how you can pay your tuition fees.

Scholarship search

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Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

  • BA (Hons) degree or equivalent academic qualifications in Landscape Architecture or relevant subjects such as Environmental Design. On occasion, graduates from other degrees who can demonstrate comparable abilities will also be considered.
  • Personal statement
  • Portfolio of work

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work and personal statement.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit, but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • Recognised subject-specific skills, including scale architectural drawing and representation, model making and understanding of context. Flexible consideration will be made for applicants with an alternative background who can demonstrate an equivalent exploration of spatial ideas.
  • A developed spatial awareness and an ability to creatively organise space and represent and communicate complex spatial ideas at both macro and micro scales.
  • Evidence of an engagement with the critical debates surrounding contemporary landscape architecture and design practice within current contexts.

Information for disabled applicants

UAL is committed to achieving inclusion and equality for disabled students. This includes students who have:

     
  • Dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difference
  • A sensory impairment
  • A physical impairment
  • A long-term health or mental health condition
  • Autism
  • Another long-term condition which has an impact on your day-to-day life

Our Disability Service arranges adjustments and support for disabled applicants and students.

Read our Disability and dyslexia: applying for a course and joining UAL information.

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

For a general guide to applying to our courses, read our postgraduate application advice.

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

Step 2: Video task and digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a video task and digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit these via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool. Please submit your video task on the first page followed by your portfolio.

Video task advice

We’d like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you:

  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Your video task is submitted along with your portfolio.
  • Read our guidance for how to submit your video task and which file types we accept.

As part of your video task, we would like you to identify one project from your portfolio which challenged you and your understanding of Landscape Design. Explain how this experience has inspired you to apply to MA Landscape Design at Camberwell College of Arts?

Find advice on how to plan and film your video task. Then read our guidance on how to submit your video task, including the file types we accept.

Digital portfolio advice

The portfolio should consist of your recent work, and:

  • be a maximum of 30 pages, including your video task
  • show subject specific skills including architectural knowledge, drawing, model making, computer aided design (CAD)
  • demonstrate your spatial awareness and ability to creatively organise space and represent spatial ideas
  • illustrate your engagement with critical debates surrounding landscape design practice through writing or other creative practices
  • include at least 1 project produced as a part of a degree course and / or professional workplace that reflects your critical enquiry and design position
  • include any supporting research, examples of design thinking and experimentation.
  • acknowledge if any work was produced collectively or involved the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence).

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

Final step: After you apply

Find out how we'll communicate with you and see what happens after you apply.

Apply now

Application deadline

Applications are now closed for 2026/27 entry. Applications for 2027/28 entry will open in autumn 2026.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Applications are now closed for 2026/27 entry. Applications for 2027/28 entry will open in autumn 2026.

Read more about deadlines

Careers

Camberwell College of Arts

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6302

Address

Camberwell College of Arts
45 - 65 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF