Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

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.

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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).

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route

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)

“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.