Advance your landscape design skills
The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) gives you the knowledge and skills to create innovative design solutions for outdoor spaces.
Through this research-based Master’s programme, you’ll develop an expert understanding of key design practices and strategies.
Your designs will address pressing challenges related to climate change, urbanisation, and sustainability. You’ll create resilient landscapes.
Studying Postgraduate Landscape Architecture
Who can study for this qualification
You can study for the MLA if you have a Bachelor of Architectural Studies in Landscape Architecture, or a relevant alternative qualification.
What you'll learn
Your study will teach you to:
- apply a scientific and creative lens to how humans interact with the landscape and how your designs can influence those interactions
- create new designs for outdoor spaces and learn how to construct them
- look at landscape architecture through a critical, objective, and environmental lens.
How you'll study
The MLA involves collaborative, interdisciplinary, and studio-based learning. You’ll engage actively with community and focus on resilient landscapes.
Part 1: Coursework
In your first year, you’ll complete seven taught courses—six are compulsory and one is your choice. You’ll study:
- advanced landscape design
- landscape architectural technologies
- history, theory, and criticism in landscape architecture
- professional practice.
You’ll also learn advanced research techniques and complete a studio-based investigation into an area of interest that can be further developed in your thesis year. You’ll develop and test your ideas through writing and design.
Part 2: Research
During the second year, you'll complete a research portfolio or thesis under supervision from academic staff in the School.
The School of Architecture has three main research areas:
- sustainability and wellbeing—resilient and sustainable cities, designing for wellbeing and positive social impact, and design for indigenous people and minorities
- performance and technology—building performance, construction technologies and materials, and simulation methods and virtual spaces
- creative and critical—design research, representation, and history and theory.
You can find out more about the research streams and study options available by talking to Landscape Architecture academic staff.
Part-time study options
If you're a domestic student, you can study the MLA part time over a maximum of three years.
Pathway to become a landscape architect
The Master of Landscape Architecture is the pathway to become a professional, registered landscape architect.
The Landscape Architecture programme is one of only three programmes in New Zealand that meet the standards for accreditation with the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA). It is the only programme of its kind in Wellington.
This means that after you graduate and work for around three years, you can register as a professional landscape architect with the NZILA. Your qualification and registration will be recognised throughout New Zealand and internationally.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Get accepted into this qualification
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MLA degree shall have:
(i) completed a Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington BAS degree in Landscape Architecture or Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments in Landscape Architecture or, at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, an equivalent qualification; and
(ii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who:
(i) has extensive professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind; or
(ii) initially enrolled in BDes and has satisfied all but 30 points of the requirements for a BAS degree. The MLA shall not be awarded until the BAS is completed.
Qualification requirements
2. (a) Except as provided for in (b) and (c) and in section 5 of these regulations, the course of study for the MLA shall consist of courses worth at least 240 points, as follows:
Part 1: 120 400-level points, including Landscape Architecture Design Studio V / Te Taupuni Mahi Pokepoke, Whakarākei i a Papa-tūā-nuku V (LAND 411), Landscape Architecture Design Studio VI / Te Taupuni Mahi Pokepoke, Whakarākei hoki i a Papa-tūā-nuk (LAND 412), Landscape Technology: Landscape Infrastructures and Construction Systems / Ngā Hangarau Pokepoke, Whakarākei hoki i a Papa-tūā-nuku: Ngā Tukanga Hangahanga (LAND 421), Advanced Landscape Architecture History and Theory / Ngā Tino Kōrero o te Mahi Pokepoke, Whakarākei hoki i a Papa-tūā-nuku: Te Tātari Kōrero (LAND 451), Professional Practice / Ngā Mahi Ngāio (SARC 461), Research Methodologies / Ngā Momo Tikanga Rangahau (SARC 491);
Part 2: A 120-point research portfolio as listed on the MLA Schedule and approved by the head of school.
Parts 1 and 2 shall include such practical work as may be determined by the head of school.
(b) With the permission of the associate dean, a candidate who has completed an appropriate degree with Honours or other graduate study to an appropriate level may be exempted from Part 1 and admitted directly to Part 2.
(c) A candidate may proceed to Part 2 only with the permission of the head of school.
3. (a) A candidate whose course of study includes both Part 1 and Part 2 shall normally be enrolled for at least four trimesters (extended pro rata up to eight trimesters for students who are not full time), and shall complete the degree within two years and six months of first enrolling in it (extended pro rata up to five years for students who are not full time). The associate dean may extend the maximum period in special cases.
(b) The minimum and maximum periods of enrolment for Part 2 are specified in the Master’s Thesis Regulations.
4. At the discretion of the head of school, a candidate who holds a PGDipDE in Landscape Architecture may credit those courses to the MLA provided the candidate abandons the Postgraduate Diploma upon being awarded the MLA.
Future careers
The MLA prepares you to work as a landscape architect. You might start your own practice or work for government, city councils, or private design firms.
Your might work in areas such as:
- cities, streets, and urban infrastructure
- parks and ecological projects.
More career information
Find out more about careers in Architecture.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Architecture
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Architecture
-
This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
-
Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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This scholarship was established in 1997 from a bequest from the estate of Arnold Woodford Izard. The scholarship is offered to students enrolled in a Master's by thesis degree in any faculty at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, with the exception of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NZSM students are still eligible to apply. This scholarship is...
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Industry connections
We have industry connections and partnerships with a range of national and local organisations:
- Building Research Association of New Zealand
- Designers Institute of New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute of Architects
- New Zealand Institute of Building
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
- New Zealand Registered Architects Board
- New Zealand Planning Institute
Study for a PhD
If you do well in your Master’s degree and show an aptitude for advanced research, you could apply to do a PhD—the highest-level qualification we offer.
You’ll carry out original and sustained research, supervised by our world-class academics.
As a PhD candidate, you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.
Academic staff research areas
Carles Martinez Almoyna Gual
Lecturer in Landscape Architecture
Angie Campbell
Lecturer
Victoria Chanse
Associate Professor
Daniel Coombes
Lecturer in Landscape Architecture
Yiwen Cui
Lecturer, Landscape Architecture (ZZU)
Bruno Marques
Associate Dean, Academic Programmes
Warwick McLeod
Senior Lecturer
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.