Landscape Architecture (Conversion Masters) - MLA

This Conversion Masters is professionally oriented and has two stages: Year one is structured to develop key design and communication skills that support all aspects of projects in a studio-based learning environment which is underpinned by landscape history and theory lectures. Students will learn that landscape is a sequence of interrelated designed environments connected by land, ecology, water, climate and infrastructure, sitting in a cultural context that extends from parish to global, political and economic systems. The design skills will develop from process-led narratives using industry standard visual communication and analysis techniques, which include digital mapping and three-dimensional modelling, model making, virtual reality, visualisation, rendering, drawing, and design across the range of scales.

Year two builds on the foundation of knowledge and skills acquired in year one and will help you develop further the creative, artistic, technical and intellectual abilities through a diverse range of design projects that explore contemporary issues, which grow in scale and complexity. The format of studio learning is continued with an increased emphasis on research and experimentation. Design themes include research-led design projects relating to landscape health and well-being, habitat creation and biodiversity, climate change, settlement design and food security, as well as large infrastructure schemes like High Speed 2 (HS2) and the West Midlands National Park.

Our modules, including our new Design for Climate Change module, provide a fascinating forum for systems scale interventions, innovation and exploration of new sustainable approaches to respond to the climate change emergency, imaginative solutions to extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and for the planning and designing of ecologically inspired places and communities.

Our links to industry, local authorities and our Co.Lab partners offer an opportunity for you to be involved in the complex nature and challenges of being a landscape architect in the real world. These extend to collaborating with local stakeholders and institutions and working alongside colleagues across the University on projects that demonstrate the authority of Landscape Architecture in improving the quality of future urban and rural living.

The Professional Placement version of the course is optional and is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course. This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to landscape architecture, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.

Employment opportunities and flexible learning

Our postgraduate course has been running for over 60 years which means that over this time a well-established employer network has evolved with former students setting up nationally renowned consultancies representing all levels of the profession from director to associate landscape architect. We have very strong links with local, regional and national employers and through this you will be able to take advantage of these extensive relationships.

Many of our students opt to work in practice and study part-time after year one. To help balance the MLA with your existing commitments, we have structured the course to provide some flexibility so that you have the option to complete the MLA in two years by dedicating one day a week in your first year and two days a week in your second year. Alternatively, you can complete the course over three years by following the one day a week model.

Professional standards

Each year, the course is assessed to evaluate how it meets the accreditation standards set by the Landscape Institute; in particular, how the curriculum prepares employment-ready students. To ensure the academic rigor and creative flair is maintained, the course is reviewed annually by External Examiners.

Our Master’s courses are fully accredited by the Landscape Institute and recognised by the International Federation of Landscape Architects. We are also an active member of the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools.

Research

Landscape architecture academics at Birmingham City University have partnered with a number of organisations, including West Midlands Combined Authorities, to establish a national park for the West Midlands that provides multiple benefits to the city, the landscape and its inhabitants.

Research Highlight: A new kind of National Park

West Midlands National Park Lab