MLA Master of Landscape Architecture

Open days are run by Manchester Metropolitan University.

You can apply via the How to Apply link on the Manchester School of Architecture website.

As global awareness of biodiversity loss and the climate crisis intensifies, the demand for skilled landscape architects has never been greater. The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) at Manchester School of Architecture is a future focused programme that equips you to design inclusive, climate resilient places where social needs, ecological integrity, and imagination meet. Through a dynamic combination of hands-on design exploration, critical engagement with theory and research, and real world site-based investigations, you'll develop the expertise needed to shape meaningful, sustainable landscapes in a rapidly changing world.

You will have opportunities to learn from industry partners, collaborate across disciplines with architects and urbanists, and conduct ambitious academic research, preparing you for a future in practice or further academic studies. You’ll explore themes of environmental and social justice, designing landscapes that serve both people and planet. Joining one of our internationally recognised ‘Ateliers’, you will pursue a research-led design project, alongside developing an individual dissertation topic.

The MLA is professionally accredited by the UK Landscape Institute (LI) and recognised by the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), giving your qualification global recognition. Delivered jointly by The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, the programme provides a unique dual qualification and learning experience. As a student, you will benefit from the combined expertise of staff across both universities and enjoy access to specialist workshops, studios, libraries, and comprehensive support services.

There are three routes into studying the Master of Landscape Architecture. MLA Year 1 offers a transformative education in the core skills essential to landscape architecture, designed for those changing careers or joining from related disciplines. The Architect Conversion Route is designed for undergraduate architecture graduates, building on the shared foundations of landscape architecture and architecture, while introducing the ecological, environmental, and cultural factors that shape the discipline of landscape architecture. Those who have previously studied or worked in landscape architecture can join MLA Year 2 directly and will develop specialist expertise, design excellence, and academic research whilst working in the atelier system.

As well as having the opportunity to become a fully chartered landscape architect with the Landscape Institute, graduates of the MLA programme have broad employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors, in areas such as urban design, environmental conservation, sustainable development, landscape planning, policy and placemaking, and the creation of innovative green spaces.

• Benefit from access to specialist workshops, studios, libraries, and support services across both universities. This includes an industry-standard Model Making Workshop, for the production of scale development and presentation models. The workshop contains digital fabrication technology, alongside equipment for core manufacturing techniques.
• Learn to design sustainable, socially and environmentally responsible landscapes that address real-world challenges and make a meaningful impact.
• Learn from a dedicated team of landscape architecture staff, enriched by practitioners and academics from across MSA and both The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University – offering the depth and breadth of expertise that defines the profession
• Choose from three distinct pathways designed around your academic and professional background, ensuring a flexible and personalised route into landscape architecture.
• Access a dedicated MSA Advanced Digital Design team who provide workshops and tutorials covering all the essential software plus a range of more specialist programmes and cutting edge workflows.
• Participate in MSA Live, our annual programme of student-led, real-world design projects in MLA Part 1.
• In MLA Part 2, become a member of one of our research-led ateliers and work collaboratively with architecture students from the MArch and BA Architecture.
• Exhibit your work at the renowned MSA Degree Show, a high-profile platform attended by leading practitioners and industry professionals.
• Boost your employability with dedicated career support and a unique offering of MSA employability events, including portfolio development, networking opportunities, and tailored advice for entering the landscape profession.
• Join the MSSA, the UK’s largest student-led architecture society, and build valuable connections across the profession.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Study

Full-time - 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 5% placement 75% independent study

Assessment

Full-time - 100% coursework; 0% practical 0% examination study

Additional information

A unit shall be passed when a student achieves a mark of 50 for each element of summative assessment associated with the module.

Students shall not receive compensated passes in any module where their average marks fall below the required pass mark of 50%.

Where students have achieved a weighted average mark of 50% or higher in a module but have not achieved a mark of 50 for each element of summative assessment associated with the unit, they will still be required to re-sit the failed elements of the unit.

Students’ final awards are based on modules undertaken in Part 2 of the course. Students must pass Part 1 or Architect Conversion Route in order to progress to Part 2 but the marks obtained in these module do not contribute to the final award.

Placement options

The course has a very close relationship to practice and students are exposed to practitioners in a wide range of ways throughout the syllabus. The Landscape Practice and Profession module generates understanding of the ethical, legal and professional context of the subject through a range of visiting lectures and workshops, as well as visits to practices and sites and direct personal experience. This may be through involvement in a live client-led brief, or an external competition.

Supporting creative vision, innovation and research

Architecture students at MSA benefit from the facilities and resources of both The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Two nationally recognised libraries, a wide range of workshops and materials stories are just a few examples of what is available.

Providing space for innovation

Our contemporary studios are located in the purpose built Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University, with panoramic views of the city’s skyline.

Enabling your creative vision

Whether you’re creating a presentation model, experimenting with materials or devising a conceptual way to show your ideas, our facilities at Manchester School of Architecture will enable you to fulfil your ambitious creative visions.

For more information, visit the Manchester School of Architecture facilities webpage .

The vast majority of our graduates go on to find employment in landscape architecture, either in the UK or abroad, many due to connections established during the course.

Outside London, the North West of England is the base for more landscape practices than anywhere else in the country. Opportunities exist in a wide range of organisations, from small private practices to international, multi-disciplinary firms. Alternatively, landscape architects are also employed in the public sector or non-profit making organisations. Many alumni have gone on to positions of responsibility in major international firms and have been involved in the delivery of landmark projects around the world.