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Landscape Architecture

BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Landscape architecture is undoubtedly one of the most relevant design disciplines today. Global climate change is altering everything - everywhere in the world. We are faced with necessary tasks relating to the design and build of our surrounding environments and ecologies. The landscape and its functions, its ecosystem services and its appearance, will inevitably change, not slow but rapidly. Landscape architects must contribute to the design of this future landscape - urban, semi-urban, and rural.

About This Course

Landscape architecture is undoubtedly one of the most relevant design disciplines today. Global climate change is altering everything - everywhere in the world. We are faced with necessary tasks relating to the design and build of our surrounding environments and ecologies. The landscape and its functions, its ecosystem services and its appearance, will inevitably change, not slow but rapidly. Landscape architects must contribute to the design of this future landscape - urban, semi-urban, and rural.

As the necessary energy transition accelerates, the landscape is developing into a global powerhouse. Simultaneously, the landscape, with its plants, soils, peatlands, wetlands, and oceans, must be assisted in its capacity as a major global carbon sink. Rising sea levels pose enormous challenges for entire cities and coastal regions. Increasingly dense settlement structures require intelligent open space solutions and efficient public transport systems. All of this must be carefully thought out and designed.

The design studio an interactive and collective contemporary form of learning and creation is central to your study of landscape architecture. You will spend considerable time in the studio developing individual and group project work.

In the third year, you will gain additional professional experience through an internship in a landscape-related company/institution. Study modules may include:

  • Digital Landscape Design
  • Landscape Theory and History 
  • Socio Environmental Studies & Interventions
  • Trees & Woodlands in the Irish Landscape
  • Landscape Research
  • City & Spatial Planning
  • GIS
  • Climate Policy and Politics

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).

There is an optional 6-8 month internship module in Stage 3 of the BSc Landscape Architecture. Internship employers have included AECOM, Austen Associates, Bernard Seymour Landscape Architects, Murray & Associates, South Dublin County Council, and Summerhill Landscapes (New York).


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). Students must also take either an Elective Module, or may instead select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
ARCH10050 Intro archaeology of Ireland Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Cores). Students must also take either an Elective Module, or may instead select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
BIOL10030 Cell and Plant Biology Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Cores). Students must also take either an Elective Module, or may instead select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
ENVP10010 Environment Change & Policy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Cores). Students must also take either an Elective Module, or may instead select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
HORT10020 Plants and People 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). Students also take Elective Modules or may instead select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
PLAN10010 Introduction to City Planning Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Cores). Students also take Elective Modules or may instead select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
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). Students also take Elective Modules or may instead select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
LARC10130 Landscape Theory and History Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Cores). Students also take Elective Modules or may instead select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
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). Therefore, all Students MUST select one of the following Option Modules. 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). Therefore, all Students MUST select one of the following Option Modules. 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). Therefore, all Students MUST select one of the following Option Modules. 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).
GEOG40750 Reimagining Dublin: An Interdisciplinary Exploration in Urban Regeneration 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
 GEOG30860 Environmental Assessment 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
 PLAN40580 Rural & Landscape Planning Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). In the Spring Trimester Students also take an Elective Module or may instead select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
 LARC30260 Building biodiversity, working with nature Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core/Options). In the Spring Trimester Students also take an Elective Module or may instead select an Additional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirements.
 LARC40630 Trees and Woodlands in the Irish Landscape Spring  5

SDG6 SDG7 SDG 11 SDG 13 SDG 15

By joining the UCD College of Engineering and Architecture, you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable future. The mission of the College of Engineering and Architecture is to affect a just transition to a more sustainable and equitable future through our education of professionals in engineering, architecture, planning and policy, and our research in technology, design, and policy. The College, in our engineers and architects, brings together the technical expertise to deliver and create infrastructure and technologies that can create a more sustainable future and, uniquely, the College, in our planners and environmental policy researchers, also brings together the research and professions required to create the policies and the regulatory environment that supports technological and infrastructure development, and that can also scrutinise and investigate the behavioural changes affected by our technologies.

The programmes at UCD are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen field, while at the same time embedding the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in their education where most relevant.

Architecture and Landscape Architecture

UCD Architects and Landscape Architects have the opportunity to contribute positively to many of today’s challenges including climate change, inequality, poverty and urbanisation. UCD architects and landscape architects use innovative design practices to consider sustainable design solutions, energy-efficient buildings, community engagement, life on land to enhance the quality of the lives for whom they are designing for while minimising environmental impacts.

  • Clean water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
  • Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
  • Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
  • Climate Action (SDG 13)
  • Life on Land (SDG 15)

Studying Landscape Architecture has been a challenging and worthwhile experience. It has allowed me to further develop my design thinking, creative efficiency and presentation skills. From learning and choosing the right plant species for design projects to recognising the importance of outdoor elements and concepts in Understanding Landscape; these modules, alongside Studio work, enhanced my appreciation for landscapes and their composition. Doing this course has improved my interpersonal skills, deepened my appreciation for nature and has enabled me to pursue my passion for landscape design in an innovative way.

Jan Loirenz Guia, Student

“I chose to study Landscape Architecture at UCD due to my love of design, nature and the outdoors. I was always interested in society and the way that people live. This course at UCD offers a wide range of exciting modules in various related topics such as land use, the environment, planning, ecology, and urban design. The design studio is central and has prepared me for my future career by allowing me to build on my environmental knowledge, design skills while using technical and technological approaches. This degree has offered me a wide range of exciting opportunities, e.g. a trimester abroad, various class trips around Ireland and Europe and an internship in a Landscape Architecture firm. I completed my exchange at The University of Hong Kong, which proved to be the most exciting and rewarding opportunity of my life.”

Niamh Conlon - Graduate

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Landscape Architecture:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt LDS2
Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Closed
showAudience-audienceInt LDS2
Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN120
Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
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