Landscape Architecture with Ecology BSc (Hons)
Diploma in Landscape Design or Landscape Management

Landscape Architecture is quite simply the design of outdoor spaces in order to maximise their potential for both people and nature. Landscape Architects are part of a recognised profession with their own chartered institute, The Landscape Institute, which was founded in 1929. Landscape Architecture is an exciting and varied profession which may involve the strategic master planning for an entire region, or at the other end of the scale the development of detailed design proposals for a small public square, garden or park.

Landscape Architecture and Ecology at Sheffield

The degree in Landscape Architecture and Ecology is taught jointly between the Department of Landscape and Department of Animal and Plant Science. This unique course was established in the early 1980's and is the only programme in the country to combine a fully accredited training in Landscape Architecture with a specialist education in Ecology. The inspiration behind the course was a recognition that there was a need to train creative environmental design professionals who had a sound theoretical and scientific appreciation of the places in which they worked. Only by combining these two disciplines would it be possible to find sustainable design solutions to the restoration and regeneration of some of our most degraded landscapes. This need has not diminished over the 30 years in which the course has been in existence. The increasing awareness and concern about the impact of society on the environment and the need to redevelop many of our post industrial landscapes means that there are excellent opportunities for environmental designers who have these unique qualities.

The Department of Landscape and the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences are top ranked for their teaching and research excellence. In independent teaching quality assessments they scored 23/24 and 24/24 respectively, and have combined these with the highest ranking research quality of 5 and 5* in the latest government assessments.

Teaching Methods

A range of teaching methods are used across the two departments including: design studios, lectures, tutorials, workshops, small group projects, individual-based work, seminars and field courses. In the design studios you will be taught by department staff and visiting landscape practitioners who will work with you in small groups and on an individual basis to help you develop your design proposals. You will also have a personal tutor in each department who helps to develop independent learning and communication skills, as well as providing pastoral care.

Project Work: In the Department of Landscape all of the design-based modules are taught using project sites based in and around Sheffield. As you progress through the course the projects that you work on will become increasingly more complex and demanding. Frequently they provide an opportunity to work with the Local Authority or community groups to develop design solutions for real projects. For example in recent years students have worked with school groups and development trusts to provide design ideas for school grounds, housing areas and local parks.

Field Visits: Field visits are an extremely important part of the course. Visiting, analysing and evaluating different landscapes and designs is a very important part of your development as a Landscape Architect and Ecologist. In the first year, visits focus on the immediate landscape and are intended to familiarise you with the special qualities and character of the area in and around Sheffield. In the second year there are field excursions that provide training in the description and analysis of vegetation using standard protocols used by professionals, and studies of the effects of management on ecosystems. In addition, there is a short residential trip to a major city where it will be possible to see new and exciting approaches to urban regeneration and detailed design. The third year starts with a week long field trip to a major European City. Previous destinations have included Barcelona, Paris, Copenhagen, Berlin and Amsterdam.

Year One Landscape Architecture Modules Year Two Landscape Architecture Modules Year Three Landscape Architecture Modules What is Landscape Architecture? Theories and Histories of Landscape Architecture Introductory Landscape Design Studio Landscape Design Studio Project Introduction to Landscape Planning Landscape Processes. Conceptual Design Studio Landscape Ecology Social Aspects of Design Introduction to Planting Design Introduction to Landscape Construction Sustainable Urban Environments. Environmental Assessment Advanced Planning Design Site Planning for Housing Landscape Construction Design Integrated Design Project 1 Integrated Design Project 2 Urban Regeneration by Design Ecological design project Land contamination, restoration and revegetation Ecology & Town Planning Modules Population and Community Ecology Ecosystems and Environmental Change The Making of Urban Places Ecology Modules Techniques in Landscape - Habitats and Communities Techniques in Landscape - Desk-based Techniques Ecology Modules Restoration Ecology and Vegetation Management Advanced Ecological Design and Management Careers Most students graduating in Landscape Architecture and Ecology will go on to be employed in the Landscape profession either working for a Local Authority or Private Consultancy. Students will typically work in practice for a year before returning to the department to complete the diploma year. The 'year out' is an important part of the course as it is a chance to consolidate the knowledge and skills you have acquired whilst studying for your degree and to apply this to real design projects. Most important of all, it is paid work! Students graduating from the department are in high demand from the profession. In recent years an increasing proportion of our students have found work in America, Australia and Europe. For those students who do not wish to continue into the profession the course equips them with excellent transferable knowledge and skills and opens up possibilities for work in nature conservation or further ecological studies. Transferrable skills include: graphic and verbal communication, report writing, data acquisition and analysis and computer literacy in a wide range of subject specific and generic software. Master of Landscape Architecture MLA On completing your degree you will work for a year in a private Landscape Design practice or Local Authority before retuning to complete the MLA. This year is taught entirely in the Department of Landscape, and the course is fully accredited by the Landscape Institute. Overseas Studies There are opportunities for overseas study. The department has educational exchange programmes with Landscape Schools in America, Holland, Sweden and Germany. Highlights - Excellent training in Landscape Architecture and Ecology - Excellent employment prospects - Overseas and UK based field courses - Excellent teaching in top-rated research departments - Opportunities for overseas study and work - Specialist department IT facilities Further Information If you should have any queries please contact, Emma Payne (Admissions Secretary)