PG DIP LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

The postgraduate diploma is an advanced programme of design and professional studies for students who wish to become Chartered Landscape Architects. The course has full accreditation from the Landscape Institute. You can top-up your postgraduate diploma into an MA by carrying out additional design or practice-based study.

Landscape practitioners highly regard this design-based course, which explores values, knowledge, skills and techniques appropriate to the development of creative, reflective designers. You can negotiate a programme of studies to broaden and deepen knowledge and skills relevant to your individual interests, needs and career aspirations.

This course provides opportunities to respond to current environmental challenges and issues relevant to Landscape Architecture, which may include live projects and competitions. The Major Design Project applies thematic design research to a project site at a range of scales, along with two studio options for your negotiated study, linked to staff research and specialisms. Unique to Leeds Metropolitan, you will also benefit from a Landscape Resource Centre and Experimental Gardens.

The course is fully accredited with the Landscape Institute and is the final university qualification to become a member of the Institute and fully qualified Landscape Architect. A further professional practice examination is taken after two years in practice. The course has many links with professional practices both within the region and further a field.

You will have access to an excellent learning environment which includes multimedia studios equipped with drawing boards, computers and model-making facilities, a state-of-the-art library, specialist workshops and unique to Leeds Metropolitan, a Landscape Resource Centre and Experimental Garden.

Students will have already researched and understand in outline the issues in this project and will now develop a deeper understanding, exploration and judgement in the development of detail, in the selection of materials within the design language of their project. Students will explore the craft of design, through construction and planting and management details of part of their project Students progress the design to generate innovative and responsive solutions, at a range of scales. The design responds to the contextual issues (Including technical and implementation issues) and communicated through a range of outputs: models, drawings, video etc. Students develop a proposition and design brief for the development of a site based landscape design project. This will require an understanding of the context, theories and precedents relevant to the development of a design project, through research, analysis and drawn design development. To be communicated through appropriate techniques to an audience including associated professionals. The module aims to broaden students' knowledge and skills through the negotiation of appropriate study in cognate areas that are consistent with individual needs and course requirements through the negotiation of appropriate study in cognate area/s or as defined in a Learning Agreement, the student will demonstrate knowledge and skill acquisition appropriate to individual need and professional development. This module prepares students for professional practice in landscape architecture. Through a programme of lectures, seminars and workshops it introduces the scope, methods and responsibilities of professional research practice, ethics and conduct; the management and legal framework within which landscape is practised, including contract law, tendering procedures; legislation and common law relevant to landscape development and environmental statement.

Over the last 40 years we have developed strong professional networks which benefit our students. Landscape practices notify us of job vacancies which has helped many graduates find rewarding careers in private design consultancies, local government agencies and environmental organisations in the UK and overseas. In addition to topping-up the postgraduate diploma into an MA, students can transfer credits towards the MA in Urban Design.