Master of Landscape Architecture

Are you currently practicing in the field of landscape architecture, architecture or design, or do you have a degree in landscape architecture? The Master of Landscape Architecture is a qualification for people who have practiced or studied in one of these areas and want to advance their skills and explore an area of their interest. In this master's by project, you'll advance your knowledge of current design techniques, and learn to present your work effectively to interdisciplinary audiences.

The Master of Landscape Architecture offers landscape architects and graduates the chance to carve out a particular focus of investigation. It's a 'research through design' programme created to contribute to the landscape design discipline as well as your own professional development. The key outcome of this programme is a master level project that demonstrates your specialised skill and/or knowledge in your area of chosen expertise.

There are three possible pathways through the master's, each with an emphasis on developing hands-on experience:

• Develop a research proposal focusing on a specific area that you're passionate about
• Work with a member of our faculty to develop a collaborative research project
• Develop a research project with a leading Auckland landscape practice

Highlights

• 24 hour access to workspaces for full-time students in our refurbished studio
• Access to quality digital design tools
• Can enable practicing landscape architects to study part-time, learn new techniques, sharpen their design skills and keep abreast of current theory
• Focus on practical projects: the degree is "by project", which means that you undertake a project based on an aspect of your landscape architecture practice to date
• No coursework
• Collaborative approach: the Master of Landscape Architecture together with the Master of Architecture, is part of a suite of design programmes at Unitec. Students in both programmes get together for seminars and workshops in order to foster collaboration, new ideas and new approaches to interdisciplinary practice.
• Interaction and feedback with international academics and practitioners

Seminars and workshops

You don't need to have a fully developed research project when you begin this programme. When you start you'll have 6 weeks to fine tune your research proposal. You will complete a seminar series that explores current design theory and practice, this will help you develop your research question and a draft research proposal. Then, present your draft project proposal at a workshop where you receive feedback from your colleagues, tutors and invited expert guests. If your proposal is confirmed, you embark on a series of workshops at which you present your work in progress for critique and evaluation by invited architects, landscape architects and designers. These regular workshops aim to stimulate you to move beyond current models, trends and preconceptions. There will also be sessions offered throughout the year to discuss your project. These workshops are open to other students, staff, industry and public. See our previous and upcoming critque workshops on our blog.

Scholarships and Awards

We want to manaaki student success wherever we can - and scholarships are one of the ways we can do that. We have scholarships that recognise the achievements and challenges of dedicating yourself to learning.

• Check out the Master of Landscape Architecture Scholarship we have on offer or have a chat with our Scholarship Advisor- Postgraduate Scholarships.
• Each year a scholarship is given to Unitec by the family of pioneering landscape architect Fred Tschopp. Find out more about the The Fred Tschopp Senior Scholarship.

Portfolio requirements

If you are invited for an interview, you will be asked to present a portfolio of your design work. You should be ready to discuss your professional and/or undergraduate history, the ideas within your design work, your interests and the area of research by design that you are considering. See our portfolio guidelines on what to include, what not to include and how to lay it all out.

Qualification

Once you've successfully completed this programme you'll receive the qualification: Master of Landscape Architecture.
This qualification is a research master's, not an accredited postgraduate programme so you will not be able to become a registered Landscape Architect.

Hear more from us

• View our stories, previous and current research and event on the Unitec Landscape/Architecture blog
• Sign up for our bi-annual newsletters