Landscape Architecture - China and UK Delivery - BA (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry.
Learn how to create vibrant exterior environments with our accredited Landscape Architecture degree course. The course will change the way you see the world around you as you’re encouraged to think about design in all aspects of your life....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location Wuhan Textile University / BCU
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2024
- School Birmingham School of Architecture and Design
- Faculty Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Learn how to create vibrant exterior environments with our accredited Landscape Architecture degree course. The course will change the way you see the world around you as you’re encouraged to think about design in all aspects of your life.
Strong connections with the region’s best landscape architecture practices and global firms such as Atkins give our students unrivalled insight and networking opportunities. That’s why our graduates go on to secure roles in industry with the likes of Arup, Atkins, Fira and Camlins.
Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art
You can now gain a prestigious British degree while completing all or part of your studies in China, thanks to a new collaboration with a leading Chinese university. The Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art (BIFCA) is a partnership between Birmingham City University and Wuhan Textile University (WTU) based in Wuhan, China.
BIFCA offers a selection of creative arts degrees taught with the opportunity to spend two years of your studies at WTU’s fantastic Wuhan campus and two years in the exciting city of Birmingham, or the full four years at WTU.
What's covered in this course?
Covering all aspects of landscape architecture, our course is fully recognised and accredited by the Landscape Institute (LI) and supported by a leading design team in its field.
You’ll work in a design studio culture, which mimics real-world creative practice for landscape architects and prepares you for your future career.
Experience on live local sites and project briefs in landscape studios will develop your design creativity and hone your professional practice skills. Placements and competitions will give you fantastic opportunities. There are also chances to compete for industry connected awards.
You’ll have the chance to be part of collaborative architecture and design initiatives that give you the chance to work on a diverse variety of live projects.
You’ll also have the opportunity to attend lectures and take part in workshops from a large variety of international and award winning professionals.
If you choose to study part of your course in the UK, you’ll be based in our multi-million pound City Centre Campus Parkside Building and have access to digital studios and 3D design workshops.
The proximity of the newly built Eastside Park provides inspiration to your studies, introducing a strong example of contemporary civic space and park design.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
I have gained so many new experiences that have really allowed me to appreciate the places around me. The University provides the support you need, while giving you a freedom that allows your projects to be as creative and individual as you want. The course provided a great stepping stone between education and employment, and the experience allowed me to gain employment at a Landscape Architect practice straight after my degree.
Jocelyn Bennett
Why Choose Us?
- The course is fully recognised and accredited by the Landscape Institute, allowing you to work towards full UK chartered membership.
- You’ll gain real industry experience, working on a wide range of briefs, from broad strategic scale, down to detailed design for construction.
- 91 per cent of leavers from the School were in employment or further study, according to a recent survey.
- Birmingham School of Architecture and Design is highly respected and has a rich history of providing education and opportunities. It celebrated its centenary in 2009.
- Two-thirds of the impact of our research was judged to be very considerable (3*) or outstanding (4*) - REF2021
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 29 June 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2024/25.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Please check our entry requirements to find out if you're eligible to apply for one of BIFCA's courses. If you're unsure, please contact us: bifca@bcu.ac.uk
Current Birmingham City University students - one year or one semester in China
The courses delivered by BIFCA are equivalent to the respective courses run at Birmingham City University in the UK. Therefore any current Year 1 students who wish to spend one year or one semester studying abroad may be able to spend their entire Year 2 or half of their Year 2 studying the same modules in Wuhan, China.
To be eligible, you must have successfully passed all the required modules and obtained the credits for your Year 1 study. If you wish to express your interest, please contact us: bifca@bcu.ac.uk
Chinese students
BIFCA will recruit the highest performers in the China National Art and Design examination. If you're from China and are eligible to apply to study the course, you'll be expected to pass the required provincial art test.
If you live in Hubei Province you'll be required to achieve minimum Tier 1 level in the Gaokao matriculation examination.
If you live outside Hubei Province you'll be required to meet the provincial educational requirement for Sino-British jointly delivered courses.
Other international students
If you're a non-Chinese, non-Birmingham City University student, you'll be required to complete an application to BIFCA showing evidence of equivalent qualifications and have a minimum of a Level 5 IELTS.
A portfolio will be required to support the application. If you wish to express your interest, please contact us: bifca@bcu.ac.uk
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
How to apply
Chinese students
If you're a Chinese student, BIFCA applications are made through the Gaokao system.
International students
If you're an international student, please email bifca@bcu.ac.uk to discuss your application.
Course in Depth
Year one
Laying the foundation for deeper understanding, Years 1 and 2 cover a broad spread of study areas, moving seamlessly, connecting abstract design theory and consideration of global scale contexts, to micro-scale understanding of materials and technology.
Through this process, you will gain an understanding of the scope, scale and connectivity of landscape architecture, its transformative abilities and power to help ensure a global human future.
Modules include:
Inspiration Foundation
Precedent
Academic Language Skills for Art, Design and Digital Media
Communication and Study Skills for Art, Design and Digital Media
Key Concepts and Reflective Practice for Art, Design and Digital Media
Year two
Laying the foundation for deeper understanding, Years 1 and 2 cover a broad spread of study areas, moving seamlessly, connecting abstract design theory and consideration of global scale contexts, to micro-scale understanding of materials and technology.
Through this process, you will gain an understanding of the scope, scale and connectivity of landscape architecture, its transformative abilities and power to help ensure a global human future.
Modules include:
Materials Elements
Design Projects Components
Praxis Key Skills
Materials Flora
Design Project Composition
Integrated Research Skills for Art, Design and Digital Media
Year three
You'll develop professional approaches to design and construction in your third year.
You will develop connections between key design theories and real-world practice, through debate of current topics, placement study, collaborative projects (Co.LAB), and the exploration of two different multifaceted design processes.
Modules include:
There are a range of interesting projects under our CoLab programme, of particular note are partnership projects with Swanshursts Girls School where we are restoring an ancient hedgerow, High Park where we are implementing a viewing structure to observe wetland ecology at Henbury Ponds and a rainwater harvesting device that introduces sustainable drainage as a component of new wetland habitats.
Theory
Material Construction
Praxis Approach
Design Project Global
Design Project Vernacular
Year four
Through guided but self-directed investigations, you will define your own academic pathway.
Built on research and led via creative but pragmatic exploration in design, you will successfully communicate connections between theory, contextual analysis, project brief, conceptual proposals, design development and design detail, to produce a broad-scale, multi-layered design project.
Modules include:
Special Study Investigate
Major Design Project Scope
Major Design Project Concept
Major Design Project Synthesis
Major Design Project Detail
Download course specification
Download nowOur landscape architecture degree is assessed on 100 per cent course work, with no practical or written exams. We feel this best mirrors the way you’d work in the real world and so better prepares you for a career in the landscape design industry.
You'll benefit from our extensive resource base, including digital studios and 3D design workshops. There will also be traditional drawing workshops with observational and technical drawing, model-making and digital visual communication skills. You'll begin to develop a strong portfolio and confidence with design principles and visual communication.
The course follows a clear development path over its duration.
This course is accredited by the following organisation:
Landscape Institute
Our course is accredited by the Landscape Institute. LI accreditation requires education providers to meet important criteria which ensure high standards are maintained, meaning you can be sure your course meets the standards needed for you to enter the landscape profession.
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
You’ll have a sound knowledge of the physical, economic and social factors which influence contemporary built environment practice. You’ll also understand the professional, legal and institutional framework of landscape architecture.
You’ll develop a comprehensive portfolio that shows employers a range of skills in design practice and academic study.
Experience on live local sites with client-driven briefs in landscape studios will develop your design creativity and hone your professional practice skills.
You’ll be skilled in the latest techniques, including rapid prototyping and 3D design.
The course supports student employability and long-term career opportunity through enhancing your development and instilling an understanding of life-long professional progression.
You’ll develop a range of transferable skills, such as how to communicate ideas and solve problems, as well as developing negotiation and planning skills. You’ll learn how to work effectively and efficiently either on your own or as part of a team.
Placements
We have connections with landscape architecture firms. Our students benefit from these outstanding links, particularly through placement opportunities. Landscape Architecture student Daniel Watson completed a three-month paid summer placement at one of the world’s leading design, engineering and project management consultancies, Atkins.
Daniel was awarded the prize of a placement after demonstrating technical excellence and design innovation in a submission looking at uses of land within a flood plain in Shrewsbury. He said: “My placement has given me a unique glimpse into working on ‘real life’ projects, learning from a team of experts every day.”
The prestigious competition will continue to run as part of the course and other placements are widely available.
Student employment: Ula Bujauskaite
Ula worked as both a student consultant and a student ambassador while she studied for her Landscape Architecture BA.
She found the University to be flexible and very much enjoyed her experience, balancing work and study life. “I found it both interesting and easily manageable,” said Ula. “It was great that you could easily adapt or combine working hours with studying time.”
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Our international students
Our international reputation, professional accreditation and outstanding graduate success rate attracts students from countries such as China.
Taiwanese-Canadian Yi-Chun Huang said is going into the third year of the Landscape Architecture course. “I moved to Birmingham City University as a product design student at the Toyo Institute of Art and Design in Japan. I chose the University as my first interaction with the Dean was very warm and inspiring and encouraged me. I would like to explore more and gain varied skills in different fields. And my future plan would be to find a good job in UK.”
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
Landscape Architecture students are based at our City Centre Campus in The Parkside Building, a multi-million pound centre of excellence in the heart of Birmingham. The five-floor building opened in June 2013.
Landscape Space
Landscape courses are based on the 4th floor of The Parkside Building. Utilising a range of rooms for different activities, including open design studio, lecture, computer skills, physical materials workshops and outdoor visits and sessions. We also aim to utilise outdoor sessions as weather permits.
Landscape Common Room
In addition, there are a lot of common areas and ‘breakout’ spaces for students to work in The Parkside Building, including a café, equipped with tables, sofas, multi-OS (Windows/Osx, with appropriate software) a printer and sockets.
Landscape Working Area
There are also a lot of common areas and ‘breakout’ spaces for students to work in The Parkside Building, including a café, equipped with tables, sofas, multi-OS (Windows/Osx, with appropriate software) a printer and sockets.
Printing Facilities
As a Landscape student you can take advantage of our large scale printing and scanning facilities which will allow you to produce work in a variety of paper sizes, quality and style. Students can also send items to be printed via their email account.
Art Shop
The City Centre Campus shop provides students with a huge variety of materials and stationery. All the necessary stuff they need to be more creative!
Library
Our library is in the adjacent Millennium Point building. It has a large variety of landscape books and knowledgeable staff to help you.
Outside Areas
The Inner Garden on the third floor is a place for an outdoor coffee, lunch, contemplation and relaxing. And all these without the need to leave the building! While on the fourth floor, Landscape students have a unique view of the new park, historical building of Curzon Station and the city centre.
Our staff
Lucas Hughes
Course Director for MA Urban Design
Lucas Hughes holds qualifications in landscape architecture and urban design. He has a broad range of interest and experience within several professional sectors linking across the built-environment industry. His core focus is to promote high quality, integrated, design-led processes for the creation of characterful and sensitive built environment...
More about LucasRussell Good
Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture, Deputy Course Director MA Landscape Architecture
Russell Good is a Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture, Deputy Course Director of MA Landscape Architecture; a landscape architect, graphic designer and keen mountain biker. Russell’s research explores ecological and hydrological systems in the context of climate change, in order to inform and develop new aesthetic codes in landscape design.
More about RussellDr Rasha Sayed Mahmoud
Flying Faculty for BIFCA and Link Tutor for BIFCA & SHAPE
Rasha has a PhD in environmental architecture design and urban planning, and has been in international private practice as a licensed professional architecture consultant for sixteen years. By 2017/2018, Rasha finished her program as a Visiting Scholar at MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology, urban planning department DUSP, sustainable...
More about RashaDr Normah Sulaiman
Lecturer in Landscape Architecture
Normah is a passionate educator and a happy globetrotter. She has great PR skills, leading the organisation branding for global industrial engagements and building networks. Normah is resourceful in the field of research benefitting the industry of practise and academia. For the past 14 years, everything she has engaged in has driven her to be a...
More about Normah