Master of Landscape Architecture

Experiment beyond boundaries

Landscape architecture is about working with open spaces and built environments engaging with natural systems and human cultures. As a creative and contemporary practice, it is always growing and evolving.

Our Master of Landscape Architecture is a design-based degree that will teach you how to create visionary environments for the future. The degree develops technological and engineering expertise together with artistic expression and nurtures a deep knowledge of natural ecology and cultural environments. You'll learn how to work imaginatively with landscapes shaped by culture and natural systems using design, science, and engineering. The degree educates future professionals, empowering them to change the planet in positive ways, to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises and to work toward a more just and healthy environment.

What will you do? 

  • Explore and extend your capacity for creativity.
  • Share design studios with students across the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
  • Learn to work with advanced ecological, construction and landscape technologies.
  • Develop your own position on current disciplinary, social and political issues.
  • Undertake individual design projects.
  • Apply and advance your learning through internship electives.
  • Participate in immersive studios in South Australia's unique landscapes.
  • Engage with the many industry professionals who teach and tutor in classes as well as extra-curricular activities.

Where could a Master of Landscape Architecture take you?

  • You might work in government or private practice finding solutions to pressing societal challenges.
  • This degree qualifies you to begin the journey to registration as an RLA (Registered Landscape Architect).
  • Collaborate with engineers, architects, policymakers, artists and others in the design professions.
  • Design exterior spaces at a variety of scales and for various clients and users, both public and private, from innovative playgrounds, dynamic waterfronts, thoughtful memorials and special-use gardens to local, regional and national parks and critical infrastructure projects.

This program is accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).

  • Access state-of-the-art computer-aided design, BIM and 3D modelling facilities
  • Job growth likely to reach 30,800 by 2026*
  • Accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)

* Australian Government, Labour Market Insights, 2023.

Entry Requirements

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Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3CM016
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake

February and July

Additional Entry Requirements

A GPA of 4.0 or better (out of 7.0) is a requirement for entry into the Master of Landscape Architecture program. 

Graduates of the Bachelor of Architectural Design at the University of Adelaide who do not have a GPA of 4.0, OR applicants with a degree from another institution, must submit a Curriculum Vitae, academic transcripts, and a design portfolio. 

The portfolio should include the applicant's own creative works from previous degrees, professional, and/or personal background, showing design skills, knowledge, and familiarity with a range of design tools and media. In addition to final outcomes, it should comprise evidence of design process, development and drawing documentation. The portfolio may include material developed with others if clearly referenced and the applicant's contribution explained.

It should be 20 pages max (landscape format), not exceed 25mb, and be clearly labelled. All elements to be submitted digitally in PDF format and uploaded with the SATAC application. 

Note: The study plans for mid-year entry are different as compared to Semester 1 intake. Mid-year entry students may have a limited choice of electives and complete their final project in the 3rd semester instead of the 4th (final semester).

Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study

A completed Bachelor of Architectural Design from the University of Adelaide with a minimum GPA of 4.0.


  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    International students 8 72.7%
    All students 11 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,950

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Landscape architecture gives future professionals the skills and design knowledge they need to shape cities and environments to better meet the world's largest challenges such as urbanisation, climate change and the biodiversity crisis.

Previous graduates of the Master of Landscape Architecture have gone on to become leaders in a diverse range of industries in landscape architecture, as well as in related disciplines such as:

  • city planning
  • sustainability leadership and management
  • construction
  • environmental management and public art and urban design
  • horticulture
  • cultural heritage management and indigenous reconciliation 

Making history in landscape architecture
Our graduates are applying their interdisciplinary skills and knowledge to address real-world challenges, such as climate change, in the architecture and landscape architecture industry. 

Hear from our graduates

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Professional Accreditation

The Master of Landscape Architecture is accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA).

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Landscape Architect

Degree Structure

The majority of the teaching activities are based around the design studios, which are now aligned with the school's research streams 'History, Theory and Culture', 'Design' and 'Urbanism', along with courses in advanced ecological and landscape technologies.

A new internship elective has been introduced for students to experience a working environment in a landscape architecture firm in which to observe and apply their knowledge and skills for the degree. Elective options also include the offshore studio and other courses that have a community or professional experiential learning or engagement aspect.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of a Master of Landscape Architecture will be able to demonstrate:

  • Understanding of an advanced body of landscape architectural knowledge, in its social, economic, environmental, and cultural contexts, through resolved landscape design propositions.
  • A high level of digital, graphic, textual, technical and research skills relevant to the discipline of landscape architecture, through application in landscape design propositions.
  • An ability to seek and critically apply a range of scientific and cultural information, including structural, materials, theorectical, ecological, and historical knowledge, to the assessment and design of landscape architectural projects.
  • An understanding of the scope of professional landscape architectural practice including interdisciplinary and ethical considerations.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

Core Courses
Students must complete all of the following:

Research Dissertation/Final Research Project
Students must choose one of the following:
  • LARCH 7033 Final Landscape Architecture Project (M) or;
  • LARCH 7034 Final Landscape Architecture Dissertation (M)
Electives, choice of
Students must complete one of the following:

  • LARCH 7030 Landscape Architecture Internship (M)
  • ARCH 7037 Experiential Studio: Onshore (M)
  • ARCH 7038 Experiential Studio: Offshore (M)
  • ARCH 7039 Independent Study (M)
  • 3 units from any other postgraduate coursework course offered by the University of Adelaide 

Assessment

Assessment takes a number of forms including written reports and essays, short in class exercises, oral presentations. Formal examinations are not used for student assessment. A capstone architecture design project allows students to demonstrate their mastery of architecture through a significant supervised study.

Testimonial

The Final Design course enabled me to make a giant leap forward in my overall and professional skills within six months and unearthed a direction I've continued to research and study: water-sensitive urban design and green infrastructure research.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Wednesday, 27 Mar 2024