Master of Landscape Architecture

Summary

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. Once you start, you’ll have 6 weeks to refine your research proposal. During this time, you’ll complete a seminar series that explores current design theory and practice, helping you develop your research question and draft a research proposal.

You’ll then present your draft proposal at a workshop, where you’ll receive feedback from your peers, tutors, and invited industry experts. If your proposal is approved, you’ll move on to a series of workshops where you’ll present your work in progress for critique and evaluation by architects, landscape architects, and designers. These workshops are designed to push you beyond current models, trends, and preconceptions, encouraging innovative thinking.

Throughout the year, you’ll also have opportunities to attend sessions to discuss and refine your project. These workshops are open to other students, staff, industry professionals, and the public, creating a collaborative and inspiring learning environment.
See our previous and upcoming critique 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
• 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.

Meet with us

Students who didn’t study their undergraduate degree with Unitec will need to meet with an academic to discuss their professional background, which may require a review of your academic and/or professional portfolio.

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

Career Options

• Architect and others who wish to develop landscape architectural design ...