Landscape Architecture is a design discipline which is concerned with the environment as a whole. Students at UNSW learn the theory and practice of Landscape Architecture through the exploration of design principles, graphic techniques, ecological processes and studies of human modification of the environment. The emphasis of the program is on creative design inspired by the Australian situation, and prepares our students to work anywhere in the world.

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree provides academic education and practical experience leading to professional qualifications in landscape architecture. It requires full time attendance for four years plus work experience that must be completed prior to graduation. For students unable to undertake full-time study, the Program Director may negotiate a part-time study schedule to enable students to complete the program over a longer period.

The program seeks the synthesis of knowledge and skills through project based learning in a sequence of eight Design Studios. Design projects are related to the subject matter of concurrent courses and culminate in an independent design study of regional and national significance. Lectures and practical semesters cover theoretical knowledge in the following areas:

Landscape Architectural Design
Design Communications
Landscape Architectural History and Theory
Landscape Architectural Technology
Natural and Cultural Systems
Professional Practice

At UNSW landscape architecture is taught as a powerful way of thinking and a vocation. Graduates of the UNSW landscape architecture program are creative problem solvers, able to draw on a depth and range of knowledge and skills. The vocational aspects of landscape architectural education at UNSW equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed for the implementation of landscape design at site, urban and regional scales.

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NOTE: The 12UOC of Interdisciplinary Learning Courses can be undertaken at any stage from the end of Year 2 to the end of Year 4 including summer terms.
Additionally, students are not required to undertake the other elective and general educaton requirements in the exact order as indicated in the above program structure. This structure provides a suggested order for the completion of these elective and general education requirements, however a student can choose to do them in a different sequence. For example, a student may choose to complete an open elective in S2 of Yr 2 and undertake the 6 UOC of general education in Yr 4.

A list of 2015 Interdisciplinary Learning Courses is below:

Summer Semester:

Students are required to choose 2 courses from the suite of Built Environment Interdisciplinary courses to complete a minimum of 12 UOC of BEIL courses.

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree may be awarded with honours based upon the quality of performance in the program and in accordance with current program policy. Honours are Class 1 or Class 2 Division 1 or Class 2 Division 2. Eligibility for honours is determined by the student's overall WAM in the program.

1. The degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture is awarded at either Pass or Honours level after the successful completion of a minimum of 192 units of credit.

2. To fulfill these requirements, students must complete:

3. The standard duration of the program is 4 years consisting of 8 semesters of full-time study (24 units of credit per semester) plus the required work experience.

4. There is an option in Year 4 to undertake a thesis. This specialised and independent study, allows students to gain or extend their in depth knowledge and understanding of a particular aspect of landscape architecture. Students may substitute the thesis (LAND1421 and 1422) for 12 uoc of open elective credit. To qualify for the thesis, students must have an overall WAM of 70 and submit an application to the Program Director by the end of Year 3. The thesis is approximately 12,000 words in length. Each student conducts the required research, organization of material and writing under the guidance of their supervisor.

5. A Progress Portfolio must be submitted at the end of year 3 as part of LAND2302 which will determine progression into the final year of design.

6. Design Studios are considered to be a linear sequence, which requires that each design studio must be passed before a student can advance to the next level.

Refer to General Education

Open Elective can be chosen from any course offered by any Faculty at UNSW for which the student meets pre-requisite or other enrolment requirements.
The exception being specific General Education GEN prefix course/s which cannot be counted as open elective. Open elective do not need to be taken outside the Faculty, students can choose FBE electives as open electives.

BE Elective are elective courses offered by the Faculty and are generally denoted by a BENV prefix. Electives from outside the Faculty cannot be counted as FBE electives.

Students of the undergraduate program must obtain a total of 90 days work experience prior to graduation, of which a minimum of 40 days must be in landscape industry work and a minimum of 40 days in a design office. This normally takes the form of employment during long student vacations supervised by a landscape architect, landscape contractor or nursery. Each student undertaking work experience must obtain prior approval of the Work Experience Co-ordinator. Each student must obtain from the employer a statement of experience gained, maintain an accurate record in logbook form and submit a written report describing the work undertaken during the various work experience components. Details of these arrangements are available on the Faculty website.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

The program is accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and graduates holding the BLArch degree qualify for corporate membership of the Institute after a period of approved professional experience following graduation.