Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture is a discipline that focuses on intervention in the landscape through the activities of planning, design and management; the implementation of proposals; the science that underpins these activities. It is united around the concept of landscape, which is defined in various ways but is generally understood to mean outdoor spaces, environments and places and relationships between people and these spaces, environments and places (both in terms of activities and perceptions). Landscape Architecture is concerned with landscapes of all types, both urban and rural, and at all scales from the smallest open space to the region.

The overall objective of the Master programme in Landscape Architecture is to enable students to become professional landscape architects recognised both in Estonia and internationally, primarily through European Federation of Landscape Architecture (EFLA) accreditation. The programme is designed to reflect the EU Bologna process and the EFLA criteria. Students entering the master programme will already have a Bachelor degree after three or four years and wish to complete their studies through the Master programme which is considered to provide an advanced curriculum and to equip students with a higher level of academic and professional expertise. The curriculum builds on the level of achievement expected at bachelor level with in depth studies of a range of more specialised subjects covering both practical and theoretical fields, including ones which have special aspects suitable for study in Estonia.

In the programme, we use a mix of individual study and group project work. Teaching modes range from formal lectures and seminars or field trips to tuition on studio-based design projects, opportunities for research range from library-based research to field work.

Assessment methods include writing examination papers, essays and reports, but also hand-drawn or digital graphic-based plans and images. We consider open, public presentation and criticism of design projects important. We discuss realistic planning, design or management problems, which form the basis of the project work. A relatively large proportion of the curriculum is dedicated to design studios, field visits, and research.

Learning outcomes

The students become professional landscape architects recognised both in Estonia and internationally, primarily through European Federation of Landscape Architecture (EFLA) accreditation.

The programme equips students with appropriate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

• the physical and natural systems and processes and the complex range of social, economic and cultural factors that interact together to shape the landscape

• the theories and concepts underlying the practice of landscape architecture

• the range of techniques and materials used in landscape architecture

• the professional, legal, institutional and administrative context in which landscape architecture is practised, including, where appropriate, contract law and landscape specification

• the social, cultural and environmental values and ethical issues relevant to practise as a landscape architect, with particular emphasis on the role of sustainability

• the interface between the different areas of the landscape profession and between landscape architecture and other professions

The programme also equips students with the advanced skills that are essential to preparation for study and critical and reflective practice in landscape architecture. Skills include:

• to interpret or develop a brief, through research, analysis and exploration

• to identify, analyse, synthesise and apply appropriate data and information to support the development of solutions through design

• to generate, develop and evaluate creative, innovative and appropriate design solutions and proposals

• to employ a range of relevant techniques and materials to specify and implement creative designs

• to conduct most aspects of the professional practice of landscape architecture

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in landscape architecture from a recognized and accredited university. Students from "neighbouring disciplines" (such as forestry, architecture, planning, etc) wishing to undertake a "conversion" master's degree would have to demonstrate a basic range of landscape architecture-related skills and be prepared to undertake extra courses for self-learning.Applicants must support their application with a portfolio of examples of design project work. Additional interview (usually over Skype) is also required. The time of the interview will be arranged individually by e-mail. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 500 TOEFL iBT® test: 61

The Estonian University of Life Sciences will proudly award one candidate from EU countries with a scholarship. The awarded candidate is released from the tuition fee during the whole period of studies, under condition, that he/she does comply with the requirements set for full-time study (30 European Credit Transfer System credit points (ECTS) in each semester).

The scholarship will be awarded to the candidate with highest score of admission points collected for the portfolio and the interview.