Master of Landscape Architecture

Summary

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:

• Why landscape architecture?
• Why NZILA?

Scholarships

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

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarsh...