Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Want to learn how to design the outside world? Apply for this Landscape Architecture degree course to gain real industry exposure and work on a wide range of exciting briefs. This course focuses on offering experience through practice, which will enhance your chances of securing a role after you graduate.
Landscape Architecture is the design of the world outside, as a combination of art, utility and natural systems. The aim is to create rich, positive experiences and to provide designed environments, which engage users with character and a sense of place.
Through guided exploration of personal design and research process, you will explore and unwrap many layers to reveal the unlimited storyboard of design options that our landscape presents.
This four year degree course has been specifically designed to allow you to undertake additional level 3 study designed to ensure you are successful on your chosen degree.
After successful completion of your foundation year, you will have the flexibility to switch (should you wish to change direction) onto a number of related undergraduate degree options within Birmingham School of Architecture and Design.
Covering all aspects of landscape architecture, our course is fully recognised and accredited by the Landscape Institute (LI) and supported by a leading design team in its field.
You’ll work in a design studio culture, which mimics real-world creative practice for landscape architects and prepares you for your future career.
Experience on live local sites and project briefs in landscape studios will develop your design creativity and hone your professional practice skills. Placements and competitions will give you fantastic opportunities. There are also chances to compete for industry connected awards.
You’ll have the chance to be part of collaborative architecture and design initiatives within the School of Architecture that give you the chance to work on a diverse variety of live projects. Past examples include: explorations in timber construction in the Wyre Forest, communicating with the public about what they really want from design for Stirchley High Street in Birmingham and implementation of a viewing structure to observe wetland ecology at Henbury Ponds.
You’ll also have the opportunity to attend lectures and take part in workshops from a large variety of international and award winning professionals. Previous guest speakers have included Martha Schwartz, Andrew Grant, Andrew Wilson, Jeppe Aagard Anderson, Neil Porter, Chris Beardshaw and Kim Wilkie.
You’ll be based in our multi-million pound City Centre Campus within our Parkside Building, where you will have access to digital studios and 3D design workshops. The proximity of the newly built Eastside Park provides inspiration to your studies, introducing a strong example of contemporary civic space and park design.
If you would like to ask any questions about the course, you are welcome to email the Course Director on lucas.hughes@bcu.ac.uk . Alternatively, you can register for our next open day.
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
Concerns is an annual publication by Birmingham School of Architecture and Design. In this issue, you can view final year student work and read more about the activities within the School.
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
88 UCAS tariff points. |
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LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATIONS | ||
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IELTS | Minimum overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills. | |
Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
A Level and Advanced VCE |
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AS and AS VCE | Considered with a maximum of 3 other Level 3 qualifications (AS Levels must be in different subject to A-Levels) to obtain 88 pts | |
Access to HE Diploma |
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MMM | |
Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design & Media) |
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IBO Certificate in Higher Level |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma | Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall | |
Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) | Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 88 tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. | |
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma | MMM | |
Scottish Advanced Higher |
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T-Levels |
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UAL Extended Diploma in Art & Design | Merit overall | |
UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology | Merit overall | |
UAL Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts | Merit overall | |
Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
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Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | Requirements | |
IELTS |
Minimum overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills. If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma (or equivalent, including internationally accredited Foundation courses). |
International students who cannot meet the direct entry requirements can begin their degree studies at Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC).
Applications from mature students (21+) with alternative qualifications and/or considerable work experience will be considered on their merits.
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
You are not required to submit a portfolio for this course.
Our courses include activities such as performance, exhibitions, field trips and production of works or artefacts which may require you to purchase specific equipment, instruments, books, materials, hire of venues and accommodation, or other items.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
The foundation year provides an opportunity to explore the exciting world of contemporary design through various scales and develop creative solutions, encapsulating Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Interior Architecture and Design, and Product and Furniture Design.
It provides a supported learning environment to explore conceptual ideas through to detailed design, mapping and modelling and is assessed through mini design-focussed projects and a specialised final project in a chosen field.
The foundation year is ideally suited to students who need to develop their design, drawing, technical and presentations skills before entering a BA course, or for those who have not yet decided which specific design discipline or career to pursue.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Laying the foundation for deeper understanding, this year covers a broad spread of study areas, moving seamlessly, connecting abstract design theory and consideration of global scale contexts, to micro-scale understanding of materials and technology.
Through this process, you will gain an understanding of the scope, scale and connectivity of landscape architecture, its transformative abilities and power to help ensure a global human future.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
You'll develop professional approaches to design and construction in your second year.
You will develop connections between key design theories and real-world practice, through debate of current topics, placement study, collaborative projects (Co.LAB), and the exploration of two different multifaceted design processes.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.
Through guided but self-directed investigations, you will define your own academic pathway.
Built on research and led via creative but pragmatic exploration in design, you will successfully communicate connections between theory, contextual analysis, project brief, conceptual proposals, design development and design detail, to produce a broad-scale, multi-layered design project.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits)
Our landscape architecture degree is assessed on 100 per cent course work, with no practical or written exams. We feel this best mirrors the way you’d work in the real world and so better prepares you for a career in the landscape design industry.
You'll benefit from our extensive resource base, including digital studios and 3D design workshops. There will also be traditional drawing workshops with observational and technical drawing, model-making and digital visual communication skills. You'll begin to develop a strong portfolio and confidence with design principles and all aspects of communication.
The course follows a clear development path over its duration.
The course is fully recognised and accredited by the Landscape Institute (LI), the UK national organisation for landscape professionals concerned with enhancing and conserving the environment.
Our accreditation shows employers that students graduating from our course have the levels of knowledge and skills they need. The revalidation process takes place annually by the Landscape Institute’s Professional Review Group and they look very closely at the way the course is designed to meet the requirements of today’s profession.
If you are interested in undertaking part of your studies abroad the Erasmus scheme may be of interest to you. It allows higher education students in 31 European countries to study for part of their degree in another EU country.
It is open to undergraduates in their second year (or above) and offers a unique opportunity to enhance your CV and experience new cultures. If you study with us you will have access to an Erasmus co-ordinator, who can provide information about which institutions we have links with.
The BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture course flows naturally into postgraduate study for MA Landscape Architecture, allowing progression into Landscape Institute-accreditation of ‘Pathway to Chartership’ or further academic study in PHD routeways. Look at our range of courses.
You’ll have a sound knowledge of the physical, economic and social factors which influence contemporary built environment practice. You’ll also understand the professional, legal and institutional framework of landscape architecture.
You’ll develop a comprehensive portfolio that shows employers a range of skills in design practice and academic study.
Experience on live local sites with client-driven briefs in landscape studios will develop your design creativity and hone your professional practice skills.
You’ll be skilled in the latest techniques, including rapid prototyping and 3D design.
The course supports student employability and long-term career opportunity through enhancing your development and instilling an understanding of life-long professional progression.
You’ll develop a range of transferable skills, such as how to communicate ideas and solve problems, as well as developing negotiation and planning skills. You’ll learn how to work effectively and efficiently either on your own or as part of a team.
During her studies on the BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture course, Daniela Teleku completed a work placement at Fira, a nationally recognised practice of landscape architects, urban designers, master planners and architects.
Daniela wanted experience working for a practice where Architects worked together with Landscape Architects and Fira stood out as a firm with a multidisciplinary approach to projects.
Daniela was given the opportunity to get involved in a range of project work all at different stages, from early design to on site. Her work included detailed design for construction, conceptual and innovative design for a new play area in a historic park, looking at materials for construction, and a site visit at University of Birmingham Hotel and Conference Centre. She also built a 3D Revit model for a mental health project.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Typically, graduates go on to do landscape architecture roles, including construction design, regional master planning, landscape reviewing and development proposals.
Work is often sector-based, though most landscape architects work across sectors in multi-disciplinary projects, which may include residential developments, civic space (streets, parks, plazas), waterways, transport networks and so on. Large-scale UK examples include projects like High Speed 2 (HS2) and the London Olympics parkland design.
Graduates have secured roles with firms such as Node, Camlins, Arup, Fira and Atkins, and have positions ranging from graduate landscape architects to founding CEOs.
Andy Williams is director of practice at Define and Laura Bradley set up Bradley Murphy.
Graduate Nathaniel Hanna worked freelance and after being approached by a client who wanted a yard space converted into an outdoor venue, set about using wooden pallets he had to hand and created spectacular outdoor furniture. He began to buy the planks in bulk and produced his own range of pallet furniture. Stax Creations now operate out of a 50,000 square foot space in Digbeth and employ five people – four of which are also our graduates. Nathaniel said: “Studying landscape architecture essentially taught me to add value to a space using design and innovation.”
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
Our international reputation, professional accreditation and outstanding graduate success rate attracts students from countries such as China.
Taiwanese-Canadian Yi-Chun Huang said is going into the third year of the Landscape Architecture course. “I moved to Birmingham City University as a product design student at the Toyo Institute of Art and Design in Japan. I chose the University as my first interaction with the Dean was very warm and inspiring and encouraged me. I would like to explore more and gain varied skills in different fields. And my future plan would be to find a good job in UK.”
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Our students come from around the world but our landscape architecture course is most popular with international students from:
When you join Birmingham City University, the first thing you will notice is the high standard of our campuses. With an investment of £260 million across our buildings and facilities, we are committed to giving you the very best learning environment to help shape your experience.
You’ll be based in the multi-million pound Parkside building – part of our City Centre Campus – with technology and facilities that reflect advanced professional practice. We offer facilities which will accurately reflect the work environment you will enter after graduating. These include Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) and a computer-generated Virtual Building Site, creating real life scenarios for you to work on.
While based in The Parkside Building, you will get sharpen your CAD and digital visual communication skills, prototyping and digital production, while also having access to a range of specialist software, workshops, computer and project learning laboratories, and a social learning space.
You’ll also benefit from:
From industry-standard software, to our workshops and studio spaces, everything you need will be at your fingertips from day one. Working with our expert technicians, you'll be supported from concept through to completion.