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Landscape Architecture  (LDS2)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Joerg Rekittke
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 55
Stage 4: 50

Curricular information is subject to change.

UCD is at the forefront of Landscape Architecture education in Ireland. UCD is currently the only university in Ireland to offer an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture. This four-year Honours Level 8 BSc (Landscape Architecture) Degree Programme is accredited by the Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) and recognised by the International Foundation for Landscape Architecture (IFLA-Europe).

The four year BSc programme in Landscape Architecture leads to an IFLA accredited professional degree. Students acquire fundamental knowledge and skills in landscape research, analysis and design, enabling them to enter the profession on graduation or to continue their education and specialise in one of the various fields shaping the future of the landscape. This interdisciplinary programme emphasises understanding of built and natural landscapes, and the potential for addressing spatial problems through design.



Embedded in a research active environment this programme raises awareness of contemporary landscape issues, and of the ecological, social and cultural significance of landscapes. It introduces methods to conserve, maintain, and develop rural, urban, sub- and peri-urban landscapes at a range of scales. This programme aims to instill in students intellectual confidence imbued with a sensitivity towards the landscape. Multidisciplinary by nature Landscape Architecture has close links to different subject areas across the university, to national and international professional bodies concerned with the landscape, and maintains close relations with a range of international schools of Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Design and Arts.



Studio -based learning is at the centre of the teaching. This is supported by a range of lectures, seminars and field trips.  Students are encouraged to develop professional and transferable skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication through tutored and self-directed individual or small group research and project-work, allowing knowledge transfer from tutors, both academics and practitioners, to students as well as peer learning.  Assessment in landscape architecture modules is largely based on continuous review of project work and student performance during the semester supported by end of term portfolio submissions and exhibitions.


1 - On completion of the programme students should be able to: Observe and analyse the built and natural landscapes of Ireland and elsewhere.
2 - Understand the roles, responsibilities and challenges of landscape architecture in contemporary society.
3 - Understand problem-solving strategies in designing landscape and the capacity to apply these techniques in different situation.
4 - Undertake field investigations to identify significant natural and cultural features, characteristics, and systems.
5 - Appreciate and understand fundamental landscape precedents, historic to contemporary, key literature, and landscape and design theories.
6 - Demonstrate transferable skills in research, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication.
7 - Communicate process, findings and design proposals verbally, graphically and in written form to their peers and wider audiences.
8 - Work competently both as an individual and also as a group member in interdisciplinary and/or intercultural groups.
9 - Develop conceptual design, planning and management solutions for protection and management of land resources.
10 - Envision the implications of design, planning, and management proposals on natural and cultural systems at a range of scales.
11 - Work with established research methods in gathering, analyzing and evaluating various forms of landscape related data.

UCD produces landscape architects who, in their working lives, draw on a great diversity of skills and knowledge to plan, design and manage spaces which are useful, sustainable, and fit for the specified purpose. UCD landscape architects are involved in enhancing, improving and conserving our natural and built environment, creating inspiring places to live, work and relax and transforming degraded environments. Their work combines scientific and cultural understanding, design creativity, and knowledge of man-made materials and structures with an understanding of ecology, land use and ecosystems. Their training ensures that graduates are equipped to work on diverse projects ranging from regeneration of urban and rural sites, conservation and management of heritage landscapes and waterways to the design of public and private open spaces. Landscape architects also advise on landscape resource management, the siting and potential impact of new structures in the landscape and management of site construction.

Our education model is designed to give students the creative ability and discipline to work alone or as part of a team of specialists. As graduates, they frequently work as part of large multidisciplinary teams alongside architects, engineers, planners, artists, ecologists, and surveyors. Such is the broad overview gained in UCD Landscape Architecture that graduates are often chosen as the master-planners for large-scale projects.

The UCD Landscape Architecture degree programme comprises two main elements: studio project work and lectures. Design modules make up 50% of this degree programme and students spend half of the week in the studio. Design methodology is taught and practised in studio-based landscape design modules involving on-site projects and requiring an important element of self-direction. As students progress through the programme they will learn to inform design decisions by analysis of information concerning the natural and cultural processes affecting particular case studies.

The other half of the programme involves lecture modules, which provide theoretical material in the areas of ecology and environmental sciences, human and social sciences, technology and culture, professional practice and management. In addition to their core landscape architecture modules, students can avail of elective options in UCD, which will enable them to choose to study modules across a varied range of subjects from politics to philosophy, language to law and art history to maths. The programme also offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience interning in a landscape related company or institution.

The UCD Landscape Architecture degree programme is part of the European Landscape Education Exchange. This ERASMUS programme is a landscape architecture education network involving 11 universities in Europe and providing opportunities for staff and student exchange.

Students regularly spend time abroad, either on short field trips, or participating in intensive design studios with students from other universities, or opting to spend a semester studying at one of our partner universities.

Landscape Architecture graduates work around the world because of their transferable skills. They start a business, work in private practice, for government agencies, NGOs etc. They also pursue further academic study in landscape architecture or related subjects. Many of our students become professional landscape architects.

After two years of recognised professional experience, graduates sit the Irish Landscape Institute professional examinations, which lead to full professional membership of the ILI. (See www.irishlandscapeinstitute.com).

UCD Engineering & Architecture College Office



Tel: +353 1 716 1916

e. katie.oneill@ucd.ie


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 ENVP10040 Land Use & Sustainability Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LARC10050 Landscape Studio 1A Autumn  15
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LARC10110 Understanding the Landscape Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LARC10140 Digital Landscape Design 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LARC10090 Landscape studio 1B Spring  15
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LARC10130 Landscape Theory and History Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 LARC10150 Digital Landscape Design 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Cores). Addtionally, in the Spring Trimester all Students must also take either an Elective Module, or an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits.
DSCY10060 Energy, Climate Change & Policy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Cores). Addtionally, in the Spring Trimester all Students must also take either an Elective Module, or an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits.
ENVP10010 Environment Change & Policy Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 BIOL30020 Landscape Ecology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 HORT30050 Landscape Plants Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LARC20150 Landscape Studio 2A Autumn  15
Stage 2 Core Modules
 AESC20070 Soil Resources Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LARC20160 Landscape Studio 2B Spring  15
Stage 2 Core Modules
 LARC20180 Socio-environmental Studies & Interventions 1 Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Cores). Addtionally, all Students may select two Elective Modules, or if preferred, select one or two of the following Additional Option Modules, to give a total workload of 30 credits per Trimester in order to fulfill the Stage requirement of 60 credits.
ARCH20510 Archaeology of Landscapes Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Cores). Addtionally, all Students may select two Elective Modules, or if preferred, select one or two of the following Additional Option Modules, to give a total workload of 30 credits per Trimester in order to fulfill the Stage requirement of 60 credits.
FOR20110 Forests, Climate and Carbon Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Cores). Addtionally, all Students may select two Elective Modules, or if preferred, select one or two of the following Additional Option Modules, to give a total workload of 30 credits per Trimester in order to fulfill the Stage requirement of 60 credits.
LARC30260 Building biodiversity, working with nature Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 LARC30150 Landscape Studio 3 A Autumn  15
Stage 3 Core Modules
 LARC30240 Socio-environmental Studies & Interventions 2 Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Autumn Options: Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). In the Autumn Trimester, all Students MUST select one of the following Option Modules. Additionally, Students MAY also take an Elective Module or select another Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements of 60 credits.
AESC30110 Diversity in the Rural Landscape Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Autumn Options: Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). In the Autumn Trimester, all Students MUST select one of the following Option Modules. Additionally, Students MAY also take an Elective Module or select another Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements of 60 credits.
ARCT30030 History & Theory of the Designed Environment IV - Architecture, Urban and Landscape Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Autumn Options: Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). In the Autumn Trimester, all Students MUST select one of the following Option Modules. Additionally, Students MAY also take an Elective Module or select another Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements of 60 credits.
GEOG40770 GIS for Environmental Assessment Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Long Internship Option Spr/Sum: Select this Option ONLY if you wish to take a Long (30 credit) Landscape Architecture Internship.
LARC30220 Landscape Architecture Internship - Long 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  30
Stage 3 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Study Abroad & Short Internship: Select this Option ONLY if you wish to undertake Study Abroad on Exchange ( equivalent to 20 credits) in Spring along with a Short (10-credit) Landscape Architecture Internship. Credits from this Trimester of Study Abroad on Exchange will be added to your academic record following successful completion of the Exchange.
LARC30230 Landscape Architecture Internship – Short 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  10
Stage 3 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Spring Option Modules: Select this Option ONLY if you are not intending to undertake any Internship or Study Abroad opportunity: You must select Landscape Studio 3B (15 credits) plus taught modules (15 credits).
BOTN30050 Diversity of Plant Form & Function Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Spring Option Modules: Select this Option ONLY if you are not intending to undertake any Internship or Study Abroad opportunity: You must select Landscape Studio 3B (15 credits) plus taught modules (15 credits).
FOR20110 Forests, Climate and Carbon Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Spring Option Modules: Select this Option ONLY if you are not intending to undertake any Internship or Study Abroad opportunity: You must select Landscape Studio 3B (15 credits) plus taught modules (15 credits).
LARC30120 Landscape Studio 3B Spring  15
Stage 3 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Spring Option Modules: Select this Option ONLY if you are not intending to undertake any Internship or Study Abroad opportunity: You must select Landscape Studio 3B (15 credits) plus taught modules (15 credits).
LARC30260 Building biodiversity, working with nature Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Spring Option Modules: Select this Option ONLY if you are not intending to undertake any Internship or Study Abroad opportunity: You must select Landscape Studio 3B (15 credits) plus taught modules (15 credits).
LARC40630 Trees and Woodlands in the Irish Landscape Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 ENVP30030 Climate Policy and Politics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 LARC40390 Landscape Studio 4A Autumn  15
Stage 4 Core Modules
 LARC40420 Landscape Research 1 Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 LARC40360 Landscape Studio 4 B Spring  15
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PLAN40650 Healthy and Sust. Communities Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Cores). Addtionally, all Students may select two Elective Modules, or if preferred, select one or two of the following Additional Option Modules, to give a total workload of 30 credits per Trimester in order to fulfill the Stage requirement of 60 credits.
GEOG30860 Environmental Assessment Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Cores). Addtionally, all Students may select two Elective Modules, or if preferred, select one or two of the following Additional Option Modules, to give a total workload of 30 credits per Trimester in order to fulfill the Stage requirement of 60 credits.
LARC30260 Building biodiversity, working with nature Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Cores). Addtionally, all Students may select two Elective Modules, or if preferred, select one or two of the following Additional Option Modules, to give a total workload of 30 credits per Trimester in order to fulfill the Stage requirement of 60 credits.
LARC40630 Trees and Woodlands in the Irish Landscape Spring  5

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHARCH005 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 50.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHARCH010 Stage 4 - 70.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
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