Landscape Studies
Department of Landscape Architecture,
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course description
This course provides a foundation in landscape architecture. You’ll explore different aspects of the discipline, learn skills and write a dissertation on a landscape topic that matters to you. If you complete this course, you may be able to join the second year of the MA Landscape Architecture and work towards a professional qualification.
The end-of-year exhibition gives you the chance to present your work to prospective employers.
Modules
Core modules:
- Studio project 1: Landscape Architecture: nature, people, place.
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This module introduces the practice of landscape design. Through a site based project, it introduces methods and procedures of landscape architectural design it introduces methods and procedures of landscape architectural design taking students through the ‘design process’. It explores analytical and creative approaches to design and introduces how the fundamental components of landscape design: landform, vegetation, water and hard materials are used to create places that benefit people and nature. Landscape media, tools and sources are introduced and applied, and lectures on design theory and the materials of landscape support the project. Assessment is through a portfolio that demonstrates the student’s design process and resolved design proposals.
40 credits - Studio project 2: Planning strategies to urban design proposals
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An introduction to and exploration of core methods, concepts and contexts for contemporary landscape architectural planning and urban design, and more advanced studies in strategic large scale design, following from LSC61001. Through an integrated project: the use of methods and approaches to strategic landscape planning applied in the first half of the project inform an urban landscape design proposal developed in the second half, relating landscape space to existing and proposed architectural and built form to create a climate resilient urban public realm. The studio project will include research, survey and analysis used to inform creative strategic and design processes. The studio work is complemented by lectures, workshops, and seminars.
40 credits
- Research module 1: Introduction to landscape research
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This module will focus on introducing students to landscape research in its broadest sense. They will learn how to find sources of information, how to critically review and analyse this information and how to use and present the findings from their research. They will understand the relevance of research to their own project outputs and how research and evidence-based practice can underpin the planning, design and management of the landscape more generally. They will appreciate how research enables them to critically appraise a project and how they can inform, inspire and enrich their own work with the knowledge and insights gained from their research. The module will support students’ preparation for their Dissertations, and their final year Special Project work (LSCT123 students only).
20 credits
- Research module 2: Landscape research topics
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This module will build on students' learning in LSC61004 Introduction to Landscape Research taken in Autumn semester. It will support students in the exploration of research topics in preparation for their dissertation. The module will provide opportunities for students to identify their area of research, key literature and appropriate method of inquiry including research ethics.
20 credits
The cultural and social studies second lecture series will introduce students to key concepts and theories related to landscape architecture to help them identify their own research interests and. inform the studio project work
- Landscape Dissertation
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This module provides Masters students with the experience of undertaking research into an issue of significance to landscape architecture. For students on the MA in Landscape Studies it will build on LSC61004 and LSC61005. For students studying the MA in Landscape Management, it will focus on a management issue and build on LSC6310. The Dissertation involves an investigation of a selected topic by an appropriate research method, and the production of a 10-15,000. Students receive tutorial support from an academic advisor.
60 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Teaching
There are lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, critical feedback sessions, site visits and practicals.
Teaching and learning take place in the studio and out on site.
We’re unique as a landscape department in that we can deliver the full breadth of landscape specialisms in-house through our team of internationally recognised academics. We complement this by working with landscape practices and our alumni, as professional landscape architects, to ensure our teaching is practice relevant and address current issues.
Assessment
You’re assessed on coursework assignments, dissertation, oral presentation and examination.
Duration
1 year full-time
Your career
Our graduates go on to have varied and rewarding careers all around the world. We have alumni working in over 70 countries; both in the private sector, running their own companies and for public and voluntary organisations, helping to improve local communities.
Our alumni include those who have achieved the highest levels of recognition within the Landscape profession, including a former President of the Landscape Institute and President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects.
If you don’t take up a career in landscape, you’ll still be highly employable. By developing valuable transferable skills like graphic design, project management and communication, you’ll be able to make a lasting and positive impact wherever your career takes you.
Student profiles
MA Landscape Studies has helped me to understand ecology and biodiversity and has taught me how to find solutions to counter problems like global warming, urban flooding, anti-social activity and species extinction. The best parts of the course are going on site visits and plant walks, developing sketching techniques and the exchange of international cultures.
Tirthankar Chakraborty
MA Landscape Studies
Entry requirements
Good undergraduate honours degree in a related subject.
Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.
We also accept a range of other UK qualifications and other EU/international qualifications.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Fees and funding
Apply
We use a staged admissions process to assess applications for this course. You'll still apply for this course in the usual way, using our Postgraduate Online Application Form.
Contact
landscape-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0617
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.