Master of Landscape Architecture MLA

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, youll develop the expertise needed to shape meaningful, sustainable landscapes in a rapidly changing world.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.