Master of Landscape Architecture (Taught)
- MLA
- 2 Years
- Full-time
- September 2026
- Postgraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
As global awareness of biodiversity loss and the climate crisis intensifies, the demand for skilled landscape architects has never been greater. The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) at Manchester School of Architecture is a future focused programme that equips you to design inclusive, climate resilient places where social needs, ecological integrity, and imagination meet. Through a dynamic combination of hands-on design exploration, critical engagement with theory and research, and real world site-based investigations, you'll develop the expertise needed to shape meaningful, sustainable landscapes in a rapidly changing world.
You will have opportunities to learn from industry partners, collaborate across disciplines with architects and urbanists, and conduct ambitious academic research, preparing you for a future in practice or further academic studies. You’ll explore themes of environmental and social justice, designing landscapes that serve both people and planet. Joining one of our internationally recognised ‘Ateliers’, you will pursue a research-led design project, alongside developing an individual dissertation topic.
The Master of Landscape Architecture programme is currently accredited by the Landscape Institute. Following changes for 2026 entry, the revised programme has been given candidate status by the Landscape Institute and will undergo a full accreditation review in early 2026. Please be aware that accreditation is not guaranteed. If the programme is accredited following that review, the LI has indicated that recognition towards chartership for students who enrolled during candidate status may be backdated - this cannot be confirmed in advance. We will update this page as soon as we have further information - please check back for updates.
There are three routes into studying the Master of Landscape Architecture. MLA Year 1 offers a transformative education in the core skills essential to landscape architecture, designed for those changing careers or joining from related disciplines. The Architect Conversion Route is designed for undergraduate architecture graduates, building on the shared foundations of landscape architecture and architecture, while introducing the ecological, environmental, and cultural factors that shape the discipline of landscape architecture. Those who have previously studied or worked in landscape architecture can join MLA Year 2 directly and will develop specialist expertise, design excellence, and academic research whilst working in the atelier system.
As well as having the opportunity to become a fully chartered landscape architect with the Landscape Institute, graduates of the MLA programme have broad employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors, in areas such as urban design, environmental conservation, sustainable development, landscape planning, policy and placemaking, and the creation of innovative green spaces.
Entry requirements
Part 1 entry
Students eligible for the MLA will normally have a minimum of a second class degree in a closely related subject area. The following disciplines are typical although this is not an exhaustive list and the suitability of all applicants will be assessed via a combination of portfolio and interview:
Design for the built environment including: Architecture, Urban Design and Planning, Interior Design, Garden Design.
Other design or arts related disciplines may also be considered, including: fashion, film, graphics, product design, etc.
Land or plant-based sciences including: Geography, Horticulture, Forestry or agriculture, Ecology, Environmental science and management.
Engineering, including especially: Civil, hydrological and structural engineering.
International students with a closely related qualification from their country may be eligible for Part 2 entry, but, in the majority of cases, a two-year course is required in order to adapt to the specific professional and cultural context of the discipline in the UK.
Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.
Direct Part 2 entry
Candidates with a minimum of a second-class degree in an accredited UK undergraduate Landscape Architecture course will normally be accepted directly into Part 2 of the MLA.
Candidates from other countries with an IFLA recognised undergraduate qualification of an equivalent standard may also be eligible for direct entry at year 2.
Candidates from other very closely related disciplines (principally Architecture and Urban Design) may be considered, subject to providing evidence of a Level 6 understanding and knowledge of additional subject areas specific to landscape architecture.
Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
For fees for entry in 2026, please view the course listing on our website.
Related courses
At University of Manchester