Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Unitec Institute of TechnologyNew Zealand Diploma in Landscape (Design)
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Diploma
Duration
2 years
Next start date
Expected Feb 2027
Campus
Mt Albert Campus
Summary
Programme overviewTurn your creativity and love of plants into a fulfilling career in landscape design. In this diploma, you'll develop the essential skills to design green spaces that are beautiful and functional.
A career in landscape design includes creating gardens and landscapes that bring joy to people's lives. It blends creativity, horticulture, technology and business acumen to design and construct gardens for a range of clients, uses and settings, always with a strong focus on sustainability and enhancement of ecological value. This is a career choice that can feed your passion for design, plants and creating outdoor environments to be enjoyed by all. You can work in the sunshine, surrounded by greenery, doing something you're really passionate about.
What you'll learn:The New Zealand Diploma in Landscape (Design) has recently been revamped as a nationwide programme, and Unitec is offering this programme, which continues our 30+ years of providing premier landscape design programmes in Aotearoa. You'll learn how to develop designs that respond to site conditions and client briefs – and plus other knowledge and skills, including:
- How to present your design vision and ideas clearly using various methods – like hand-drawing, computer-aided design (CAD) software and other graphic and visual communication techniques.
- Build your knowledge of plants and materials – so you can confidently create combinations for a range of environmental conditions.
- How to prepare planting plans for implementation and ongoing maintenance.
- How to design and draw constructed elements.
- Develop project and relationship management skills – communicate with clients professionally and work effectively with contractors and design colleagues.
Entry criteria
What you will need to study this programme.
Domestic students Academic requirementsYou must have completed at least one of the following:
- NCEA level 2 AND relevant work experience; OR
- New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) (Landscape Design strand): OR
- A relevant qualification at NZQF Level 4 or above; OR
- Relevant work experience.
And meet one of the English entry requirements;
- If your first language isn’t English or te reo Māori, you’ll need to provide evidence that you have the required English proficiency; OR
- Evidence of an IELTS (Academic) band score of at least 5.5 with no band score lower than 5;OR
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Applyonline, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 268 KB)
International students Academic requirementsAs a part of this requirement, you must be at least 16 years of age and meet the below;
- All applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement;
And English entry requirements;
If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:
- Evidence of an IELTS (Academic) band score of at least 5.5 with no band score lower than 5
- University Entrance Literacy: 8 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing); or
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Applyonline, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 268 KB)
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Please note that degrees and qualifications earned via remote or distance learning are excluded from the overseas credential evaluation and recognition services provided by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). For more information, please contact CSCSE directly: +86-10-62677800 (phone) or visit their website(external link that opens in a new tab).
You can learn more about international recognition of New Zealand qualifications on the NZQA website.