Landscape Architecture Degree

Did you know that graduating with a degree in town planning gives you some of the best odds of finding full-time employment?

Whether you study an urban planning or any other landscape architecture degree programs (distance learning or otherwise), local authorities are scrambling for decent, qualified planners, making it an excellent choice for your career. Let’s look at what a town planner job involves, along with all the other career paths you could take after earning a degree in landscape architecture.

What to do with a landscape architecture degree

One of the jobs that students can look into is a Town Planner. With populations on the rise, local authorities are constantly seeking to establish new communities and regenerate existing ones, increasing housing and amenities accordingly.

Despite its name, this job can involve planning and managing the development of rural areas, villages and cities as well as towns. Town planners juggle the needs of housing, industry, transport, recreation, agriculture and the environment to ensure that developments are as efficient as possible. It’s a good idea to join the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), as chartered members can command a higher salary or be more desirable in filling a position, though it’s not essential.

What can you do with a degree in landscape architecture?

Depending on the type of modules included in your landscape architecture degree online or on campus, you might or might not have significant design experience, although other landscape architecture online degree programs may have the modules you need, or you may even decide to transition to on-campus learning through a landscape architecture bachelor degree.

One design-based career path is to become an urban designer, conceptualising spaces around cities for maximum effect. You could design shopping malls, public parks, playgrounds, high streets, outdoor eating spaces, public gym spaces, town squares, residential estates, and more, though these kinds of careers are better suited with a masters degree in landscape architecture (or an online masters degree in landscape architecture).

Or how about becoming a transport planner or housing officer? These local authority jobs are essential for the smooth running of a town, and would make great use of the skills developed on your landscape architecture degree UK and for any other jobs with landscape architecture degree that you look at.

If you’re more drawn to the old than the new, then instead of designing new buildings and spaces, you could work in a career that protects heritage buildings. As a conservation officer or historic buildings inspector, you would be responsible for evaluating the risks and requirements of historic sites, working out the best methods of public engagement and events within the space, and making the necessary plans to restore or preserve the site.

If you’re business-minded, organised and good with a budget, then this job could be an ideal fit. Alternative careers with a degree in town planning include planning surveyor, community development worker, landscape architect and estates manager.

You could even become an environmental manager or a sustainability consultant. If government jobs appeal to you, you could go into the civil service; a popular route for graduates is to apply through the Civil Service Fast Stream and other jobs with a landscape architecture degree.

Town planning aims to ensure a sustainable environment and a better economic development. Landscape design involves the practice of landscape designers, combining culture and nature together. In contemporary culture, landscape design connects garden design and architecture.

What A Levels do I need?

Entry requirements for courses in this area tend to differ regarding the university and the course itself, however, some institutions may ask for grades BBC to ABB in A-level form, though the landscape architecture degree requirements will depend on the universities or colleges that offer landscape architecture degree.

Although, students are advised to check with their chosen institutions and degree courses to ensure they understand what UCAS entry points they need to obtain to gain admission into a university.

What are my study options?

Students who wish to study in this area are available to explore the areas separately, or as a combined degree with relevant and connecting subjects, such as architecture or you can explore a landscape architecture online degree as well. Some degree choices are as follows: a Bachelor degree in landscape architecture (BA) degree in Planning and Geography, Town Planning and Architecture, Country Planning and Social Policy, Landscape Architecture Urban Planning dual degree, Landscape and Garden Design, Spatial Economics and Developments, Landscape Design and Architecture.

What should I expect from studying landscape architecture?

Degrees in town planning and landscape design tend to last for three years unless students choose to enrol onto a sandwich course which includes a placement year. A placement year is where individuals typically spend the third year of their architecture and landscape degree working within the industry or gaining work experience, sometimes its known as a part time landscape architecture degree.

How will I be assessed?

Students will be evaluated in an array of ways, from written coursework, group work, presentations and workshops as well as examinations and generally, a dissertation in the final year of study. As with the majority of degrees, the first year grades do not contribute to the overall degree classification.

What skills will I learn from studying landscape architecture?

Students who attend university will gain a variety of transferable skills during their time studying for a degree, from organisation and time-management due to working on deadlines and coursework, as well as social skills through presentations and group work.

Why study landscape architecture?

Studying town planning and landscape design is perfect for creative types who also share analytical skills and are interested in creating and improving living environments for society.

Planners are typically not stuck in the office, or in meetings, as they tend to venture out into communities, interact, and gain an understanding of places, cultures and environment.

This type of degree is perfect for those who love the outdoors, and who wish to develop a critical approach as well as a solid grounding in town planning. Town planning is highly regarded in the building and construction environment, with graduates being successful in finding work after graduating.

What happens after I graduate?

Graduates may choose to continue with their studies or to gain experience in the industry. There are also many options to work in graduate jobs, suitable for individuals to collect work for their portfolio or to shadow other colleagues with more experience.

Will it help me get a job?

This area teaches candidates transferable skills, such as research, communication, presentation, as well as other useful skills that make seeking employment smoother and more successful.

What jobs can you get with a landscape architecture degree?

Particular job areas that graduates may wish to enter after obtaining their degree include; landscape gardener, town planner, facilities management, housing officer, national and local government, conservation, civil service and transport planning. There may also be graduate schemes available with certain companies and organisations in this area.

What can I study after a landscape architecture degree?

For graduates wishing to study after gaining their undergraduate degree, there are the options for postgraduate courses known as a landscape architecture Master’s qualification of Arts (MA) including; Landscape design, town planning, urban design, architecture, urbanism and building in the development. Certain postgraduate courses may also combine two of these areas together.