About the course

Develop your creative expertise and prepare to work as a landscape architect with our accredited Landscape Architecture programme.

Advance your landscape design skills

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) gives you the knowledge and skills to create innovative design solutions for outdoor spaces.

Your designs will address pressing challenges related to climate change, urbanisation, and sustainability. You’ll learn how to create resilient landscapes that enhance everyday life for the people that use them.

What you’ll learn

Through this coursework and research-based Master’s programme, you’ll develop an expert understanding of key design practices and strategies.

Your study will teach you to:

apply a scientific and creative lens to how humans interact with the landscape and how your designs can influence those interactions
create new designs for outdoor spaces and learn how to construct them
look at landscape architecture through a critical, objective, and environmental lens.

Pathway to become a landscape architect

The Master of Landscape Architecture is the pathway to become a professional, registered landscape architect.

Our MLA programme is one of only three programmes in New Zealand that meet the standards for accreditation with the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA). It is the only programme of its kind in Wellington.

This means that after you graduate and work for around three years, you can register as a professional landscape architect with the NZILA. Your qualification and registration will be recognised throughout New Zealand and internationally.

Get the postgraduate Architecture and Design Innovation handbook

Find out more about your study options. Fill in a form to download our Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation handbook.

Download the handbook

How you’ll study

The MLA involves collaborative, interdisciplinary, and studio-based education. You’ll engage actively with community and focus on resilient landscapes.

Part 1—coursework (120 points)

In your first year, you’ll complete seven taught courses—six are compulsory and one is your choice. You’ll study:

advanced landscape design
landscape architectural technologies
history, theory, and criticism in landscape architecture
professional practice.

You’ll also learn advanced research techniques and complete a studio-based investigation into an area of interest that can be further developed in your thesis year. You’ll develop and test your ideas through writing and design.

Part 2—research (120 points)

During the second year, you’ll complete a ngā kohinga rangahau / research portfolio under supervision from academic staff in the School.

The School of Architecture has three main research areas:

sustainability and wellbeing—which includes research about resilient and sustainable cities, designing for wellbeing and positive social impact, and design for indigenous people and minorities
performance and technology—which includes building performance, construction technologies and materials, and simulation methods and virtual spaces
creative and critical—which focuses on design research, representation, and history and theory.

You can find out more about the research streams and study options available by talking to Landscape Architecture academic staff.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Future careers

The MLA prepares you to work as a landscape architect. You might start your own practice or work for government, city councils, or private design firms.

You might work in areas such as:

cities, streets, and urban infrastructure
parks and ecological projects.

Jobs you might do

You might work as a:

graduate landscape architect
site designer and planner
public infrastructure designer
sustainable development designer
urban designer.

Build your professional network

Tuia Pito Ora—New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects is the professional body representing landscape architects in New Zealand. NZILA provides opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development.

Watch two short that offer insights into the profession and the role NZILA plays in supporting it:

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

Applicable scholarships

Financial support

You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.

We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study

Work opportunities

Work as a tutor

You may be able to tutor undergraduate Landscape Architecture courses based on your academic performance. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, get in contact with the tutor coordinator, or staff will seek out tutors for their classes.

Work as a research assistant

You may be able to work as a research assistant while you study. These are fixed-term, short contracts where you assist an academic on a specific research project.

These contracts are decided in negotiation with academics in an area of interest.

Join our postgraduate community

Through postgraduate study you’ll build valuable relationships and networks with peers, University staff, and future colleagues. Make the most of opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.

The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Industry connections

The Wellington School of Architecture has industry connections and partnerships with a range of national and local organisations.

Video

Entry requirements

Domestic entry requirements

Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Architectural Studies, or an approved alternative.

English language requirements

You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.

About the provider

Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.

The University’s central location gives students access to a variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government, politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Victoria University of Wellington at a glance

Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
170+ subjects
20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
130+ clubs and societies
5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
#1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Graduate outcomes*

Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
67% were in full-time employment.

*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.

Entry requirements

To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:

a good command of the English language
a good record of academic achievement.

Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.

If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:

English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree

Student support

The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.

Some of the support services include:

dedicated international student orientation and events
a free arrival meeting service at the airport
the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go

Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular programmes such as the Kitea Impact Programme, which is also free to join.