landscaping architecture degree

There are two undergraduate professional degrees: a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA). These usually require four or five years of study in design, construction techniques, art, history, natural and social sciences.

The programme in landscape architecture is design and research based. It provides the capacity to understand and intervene in diverse contexts that range from cities to extreme landscapes and territories. The education at AHO has a strong focus on the relationship between landscape history, present pressing challenges, and possible futures.

In this role you’ll make practical, attractive spaces which are good for our health and wellbeing, and which protect the environment. You might work on public parks, green spaces in cities, housing developments or wildlife conservation areas. 

You’ll usually work in landscape design, management, science, planning or urban design – specialising in one area or working across one or two. In this role you will:

• meet with clients to discuss their needs
• survey sites to look at existing plant and animal life, and natural resources
• get the views of local residents, businesses and other people who use the site
• use computer-aided design (CAD) packages to draw up ideas for clients and present to them
• draw up contracts and manage the tendering process for contractors
• write reports and do environmental impact assessments
• give evidence to public enquiries
• monitor the progress of projects

You’ll work closely with landscape contractors and other professionals such as architects, town planners, surveyors, civil engineers and environmental campaigners.  

What do I need to do to become a landscape architect?

As a landscape architect you will need a flair for creativity and design, and good communication and IT skills.

You will need a degree or postgraduate level qualification which is recognised by the Landscape Institute (LI).​​ Degree subjects may include:

• landscape architecture
• garden design
• landscape design and technology
• landscape planning
• environmental conservation

To get on a degree course you will usually need:

• GCSEs including English and either maths or science
• two A levels or equivalent in a related subject like art, biology or geography

Related skills

• Ability to understand technical plans
• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Creativity
• Interpersonal skills
• IT
• Leadership
• Literacy
• Teamwork

Academic route

• Two A levels or equivalent in a related subject like art, biology or geography

Related subjects

• Art
• Biology
• Geography

Essential qualifications

• Degree or postgraduate level qualification which is recognised by the Landscape Institute (LI)

AHO landscape programme builds upon the legacy of the Oslo school of Architecture and its fascinating and unique history of landscape driven architecture, as well as the rich Norwegian design culture where large energy and infrastructural development has been linked to innovative ways to mediate and design within delicate and dramatic natural environments.

Education is studio-based in an environment of constant personal contact with Scandinavian and international practitioners, researchers and educators. AHO provides access to a diverse palette of tools and shares resources with the Architecture and design programs. Within this environment of shared resources, AHO promotes constant experimentation with diverse landscape media that extends beyond horticultural material. Water in its diverse manifestations is both a context and media for artistic expression and urban agendas. Media and technology are areas explored in synchrony with the architecture and design school, and as such the school offers the possibility to experiment with techniques and tools that extend beyond the traditional limits of landscape architecture.

The schools context is the Oslo metropolitan region, a vital environment that is an ideal location to study the link between cities and natural systems, particularly in regards to hydrology and topography. As a city that has been experiencing growth while in contact with delicate ecosystems, Oslo is a productive laboratory to explore pressing challenges related to contemporary urbanism. Within this exciting context, the landscape programme also reaches global agendas, particularly through travelling studios that include The arctic and subarctic, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

AHOs Master of Landscape Architecture is a two-year 120 ECTS programme. Admission requires a bachelor in Landscape architecture or other relevant and equivalent education. Read more under Admission.