Careers

We support our students personally and professionally to develop the skills, knowledge, networks and experience that will help them stand out to employers.

A PhD student presents his poster to a group of people
On

Our graduates are very successful in gaining employment after their studies and go on to have varied and rewarding careers around the world.

Graduates are sought after by employers worldwide, who recognise that our students have excellent transferable skills.

We are particularly attracted to Sheffield graduates. The courses are a great blend of the academic, artistic and creative side of landscape architecture with the practical.

Duncan Denley

Managing Director, Desert Ink

Career development

Within the school, students enjoy careers-focused activities at undergraduate and postgraduate level. These include CV and portfolio workshops, mock interviews and personal tutorials and are designed to give students the industry specific skills required by the profession.

We support our third-year students before they undertake their year in practice placements by identifying employment opportunities and providing an insight on what to expect. We also offer support to students throughout their placements to help them make the most of their practice experience.

The University’s Careers and Employability Service works closely with the us to help students build on the skills they develop here and provide a host of opportunities for further development. It's eMentoring scheme (student login required) pairs students with graduates already working in the field.

Representing the school is a great way for you to enhance your CV and we encourage you to take up posts on a variety of committees, including our Staff-Student and Green Impact committees, Content Creators Group, the University’s network of Student Ambassadors and our student societies.

RIBA mentoring scheme

We work with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on the RIBA Mentoring Scheme, which gives second-year students the opportunity to make professional connections and gain insight into working in architectural practice.

Professional networks

We have excellent links with the architecture and landscape professions through our industry partnerships and network of graduates. These ensure our students get to hear from some of the most inspiring practitioners in the field, as well as being well placed when it comes to cultivating valuable professional networks.

Architecture

Our architecture students benefit from regular tutoring and guest lectures by practising architects, whilst our visiting practice professors, who lead some of the UK’s top architecture practices, participate in studio reviews and provide feedback on final year projects.

Our students are also encouraged to build their own industry networks through our annual summer exhibition employer’s event, where final year students meet architects who are looking to employ our graduates. We also hold regular alumni gatherings where former graduates can keep in touch with one another and the school.

A number of recent graduates are progressing through our practice and have played key roles on several wonderful award winning designs. We are fundamentally committed to continuing our important links with this outstanding school and its University.

Chris Harding

Architect, Chair of BDP and alum of the School of Architecture and Landscape

Landscape architecture

We enjoy strong links with architecture landscape practices. With over 50 practices from around the world attending our annual employers’ event and exhibition, students have opportunities to meet with and present their work to a huge variety of employers.

Landscape professionals also work alongside our students as associate tutors, as well as delivering guest lectures, seminars and workshops.

Work experience

We support our students to secure opportunities that appeal to their individual interests.

Placements, Year-In-Practice, industry competitions (previous students have won the Landscape Institute’s Student Travel Award and the RHS' Long Border Competition) and volunteering all provide valuable ways to get out of the classroom and develop work experience.

Landscape student placement profiles

Pop-Into-Practice

Our Pop-Into-Practice initiative, which supports one-day practice visits for both landscape architecture undergraduates and postgraduates, was established to open the door to landscape offices and give students - particularly those who may have had no prior experience - a first taste of professional life.

Other opportunities

The University offers opportunities for you to develop skills that will benefit your studies and enhance your employment prospects.

Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) (student login required) offers undergraduate students in their penultimate year of study the chance to be directly involved in research activity at the University of Sheffield, working in partnership with an academic staff member on a dedicated ‘real life’ research project during the summer vacation.

On-campus placements (student login required) are an opportunity for students to work with an academic or professional services department on a project-based, 100-hour placement.

The aim is to give students the chance to use their up-to-date knowledge and skills on a real project and also be supported in their development.

A global reputation

Sheffield is a research university with a global reputation for excellence. We're a member of the Russell Group: one of the 24 leading UK universities for research and teaching.