Landscape Architecture - Masters

The MLA is taught by highly-experienced landscape practitioners and researchers. The learning environment of the MLA is the Design Studio, where each student has their own individual workspace, along with space for exhibition and lectures. 

As a student on the programme, you will be an active learner, working side-by-side and in collaboration with your classmates on projects driven by real-world challenges. The curriculum is informed by research and practice that is at the forefront of addressing the societal and environmental issues of today and of our future. The modules are research-led, involving research-through-design as well as more traditional research methodologies. 

Throughout the four semesters, you will work full-time on campus in the studio, with teaching and lectures all in person in the studio. In addition, site and field visits take place at relevant points during the programme.

The programme is two years full-time, with four semesters of study, each comprising 30 credits. The Landscape Architecture Design Studio I, II and III modules will progressively advance your skills and experience in the core knowledge and processes of designing with and in landscape. In each Studio, you will develop design proposals to respond to complex and challenging real-world environments. The modules in Spatial and Visual Representation Methods and Practices I and II will advance your capacities across a range of typical drawing, modelling, fieldwork, data-gathering, mapping and representation techniques, both analogue and digital. The three Ecologies modules will equip you with the knowledge to thoughtfully integrate ecological perspectives into your design work and to demonstrate how designing with natural processes can help address climatic, environmental and social challenges. The module in the History and Theory of Landscape ensures that you recognize how theories of landscapes, understood across various historical stages, affect the design, management and futures of landscapes. The module on Professional Practice and Ethics of Landscape Architecture focuses on the role and activities of the landscape architect within professional and legislative contexts. The module on Design Research Methods and Practice deepens your critical understanding of your design methods and processes. In the fourth and final semester, you will develop a design research thesis project and supporting written dissertation to address, through design, a topic of your own choice in a way that synthesizes your learning throughout the programme. 

Detailed information on each module in the tables below can be found in the University of Limerick Book of Modules. 

* Elective Modules: In Year 2, Semester 3 (Autumn), each student selects one elective module of their choice. Please note, the electives on offer change from year to year: ie. not all modules listed below will be available each year. Shortly before your third semester commences, you will be notified which elective modules are available during that semester and you can then make your selection from the modules on offer that year. 

General Entry Requirements Taught Master’s Programmes:

Applicants for a Masters programme must normally have a first or second class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent) in a relevant or appropriate subject, or equivalent prior learning that is recognised by the University as meeting this requirement. Applicants must also satisfy the English Language Requirements* of the University. The University reserves the right to shortlist and interview applicants as deemed necessary.

Specific Programme Entry Requirements for MLA – Master of Landscape Architecture:

A first or second class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent) in landscape architecture or a related subject such as architecture, design, art, geography, environmental science, planning, ecology, horticulture, civil engineering or other degree which evidences content relevant to the MLA programme. We also welcome applicants who do not meet these academic entry requirements. 

To apply to this programme, you should have a strong interest in Landscape Architecture, and must show creative aptitude, skills and potential.

You must submit a portfolio of recent work as part of your application, to include the following three components:

• A CV (maximum of three A4 pages).
• A personal statement of 300 words addressing the following points:
  1. Describe your interest in Landscape Architecture?
  2. What of your previous experiences (academic, professional and self-directed) has led you to Landscape Architecture?

• A sample of your creative work. This should be sourced from your own work produced during a relevant first degree, relevant professional experience, or through extra-curricular activities or self-led projects. The work displayed in your portfolio should:
  1. Demonstrate creative skills and your ability to visually represent your ideas.
  2. Display design and/or socio-environmental work that clearly links to landscape architectural concerns.
  3. Communicate your work through clear visuals and writing.

The following guidelines will help the curation of your creative work. 

• WE WANT TO SEE CREATIVE WORK OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. Applicants are required to include a range of items using a variety of media in order to demonstrate the scope of their creativity. Applicants can choose from diverse media such as, but not exclusive to: drawing and painting, graphics, printmaking and photography, woodworking and ceramics, extracts from sketchbooks and design journals (illustrating the design process followed in a project), textiles and dress or clothes making, sculpture and joinery, computer game design, or any other visual media. You must demonstrate your ability to draw in pencil.

THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU. In all cases, the work submitted must demonstrate your interest, experience as well as aptitude in creative and graphic areas.

• SHOW YOUR WORK CLEARLY. A clear and straightforward presentation of your work will serve you best. The presentation quality of the portfolio is part of the evaluation. Be graphically clear – do not embellish the design of the portfolio!

• BE SELECTIVE. Show only your best work. Demonstrate a diversity of work. Portfolios should contain not less than 15 and not more than 20 pages. 

• ALL WORK MUST BE PRESENTED TWO-DIMENSIONALLY. Please ensure that any photographs of three-dimensional objects are of high quality. 

• Please ensure that the digital representations and reproductions of your work are at an appropriately high resolution to be clearly viewed on screen. 

• INCLUDE SKETCHES. You are encouraged to submit scanned extracts from sketchbooks along with your portfolio. You may choose to annotate your sketches relating them to some of your other works or to add written comments to put them in context. 

• Only include technical drawings if they relate to a design that you have developed in some way. 

You will be required to submit this portfolio digitally, as three separate PDF files. 

If your portfolio of three components is acceptable to the MLA Admissions Committee, you will then be called for a short interview, which will be held online with two members of faculty from the School of Architecture and Product Design. If the interview is satisfactory, you will then be offered a place on the programme.

• English language competency certificate
• Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements

Guidelines on Completing your Application

• To ensure a speedy assessment of your application, please upload the above documents with your application form – your application cannot be assessed until relevant documentation is uploaded

• Please title appropriately any documents you are uploading with the application form, for example "Supporting Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.

International students can find more information on eligibility requirements here. 

EU                   €7500 per annum

Non-EU           €19,000 per annum 

*Please note year 2 fees are subject to change

Once registered, students can apply to pay their fees in instalments. A request for a payment plan should be emailed to student.fees.office@ul.ie.

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)

Please click here for information on funding and scholarships.

There is a great demand for Landscape Architects in Ireland, both in private practice and in the public sector. Local Authorities have a requirement for professionally trained, licensed Landscape Architects to create development plans, manage design teams, and plan their parks and wildlife. Evolving planning and environmental legislation driven by climate change, economic development and urbanization has created enormous pressure to address systemic contradictions across our landscape and creates a demand for graduates in Landscape Architecture.