Course overview
- Description
Landscape Architecture is primarily a design discipline concerned with the quality of the environment. Through design practice and research, the Master of Landscape Architecture educates students in many aspects of the profession. It strives to create critical thinkers with rigorous skills in the execution of landscape architectural work across a variety of types and scales.
- Course title
- Master of Landscape Architecture (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Award abbreviation
- MLArch
- Course code
- 25550
- Course type
- Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- UWA Design School
- CRICOS code
- 084739F
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year and mid-year
- Attendance type
- Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Credit points required
- 144
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 96 points of taught units and 48 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
- Maximum course duration
- 3 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 144 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
- Professional accreditation
- Master of Landscape Architecture (coursework or coursework and dissertation) is accredited by: Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
- Time limit
- 6 years
- Delivery mode
- Internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Simon Kilbane
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.
Focus areas
FA-BDIMD Building Information Modelling
FA-ENVPL Environmental Planning
FA-SIDSN Social Impact Design
FA-UBDSN Urban Design
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- N/A
- not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
For students in Course by Coursework only, without a Focus Area: take all Core units (66 points) and 30 points of option units from Group A.
For students in Course by Coursework only, with a Focus Area, take all Core units (66 points), required units from the selected Focus Area (24 points), and 6 points of Option units from Group A.
For students in Course by Coursework and Dissertation, take all Core units (66 points), 12 points of Option units from Group A, and 18 points from Group B Dissertation.
Students who have not completed a Bachelor's degree with a major in Landscape Architecture, or equivalent as recognised by the School of Design, must complete conversion units to the value of up to 48 points as advised by the University.
All students, take all Core units (66 points).
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ARLA4506 | Research Strategies in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Architecture |
| 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial |
| S2 | LACH4421 | Australian Landscapes | None | seminars: 3–4 hours per week |
| S1 | LACH4423 | Landscape and Urban Ecology | None | seminar (lectures: 1 hour per week and seminars: 3 hours per week) |
| S1 | LACH4505 | Critical Theory: 'isms and 'ologies in Landscape Architecture | None | Lectures and seminars: 3–4 hours per week |
| S2 | LACH5414 | Landscape Professional Documents | None | lecture and seminar: 4 hours per week |
| S2 | LACH5422 | Design Studio—Making (12 points) |
| up to 9 hours per week |
| S1 | LACH5424 | Design Studio—Complexity (12 points) |
| studio: up to 9 hours per week |
| S1 | LACH5460 | Landscape Professional Practice | None | lecture and seminar: 2 hours per week for 12 weeks (in preparation for these seminars students are required each week to do 1-2 hours prior study of resources which is available on the Learning Management System) |
| S2 | LACH5506 | Landscape Dynamics: Reconfiguring Terrains |
| lecture and seminar: 3 hours per week |
Take option units according to the sequence notes.
Group A
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | ARCT5513 | Near Future Scenarios for a New Architectural Era | None | 3 hour seminar each week |
| N/A | ARCT5520 | Drawing Resilience | None | Lectures and tutorials 36 hours: 3 hours per week for 12 weeks from week 1 |
| S1 | ARCT5521 | Empowering Communities Through Design | None | 3 hours per week |
| S2 | ARCT5528 | Delivering Good Design | None | up to 3 hours per week for up to 12 weeks |
| N/A | ARCT5529 | Forensic Architecture | None | seminars: 3 hours per week for up to 12 weeks |
| S2 | ARCT5536 | Photo Real Rendering | None | workshops: 3 hours per week |
| N/A | ARCT5575 | Practical Building Conservation |
| Introductory lecture: 1 x 2 hours; lectures/field work exercises/tutorials: 3 hours per week |
| S1 | ARCT5576 | Introduction to Architectural Conservation |
| Lectures: 24 hours; tutorials/site visits: 11 hours |
| S2 | ARCT5577 | Conservation in Cultural Landscapes, Historic Towns and Urban Precincts |
| Introductory lecture: 1 x 2 hours; lectures/field work exercises/seminars: 3 hours per week |
| N/A | ARCT5578 | Building Pictures | None | seminars: up to 3 hours a week for 12 weeks |
| N/A | ARCT5580 | Advanced Architectural Animation | None | 36 (workshops: 12 x 3 hours per week) |
| N/A | ARCT5586 | Australian Architecture in a Global Setting | None | seminars: up to 3 hours per week |
| S1 | ARCT5589 | Furniture Design | None | lectures: 12 hours; seminars/workshops: 24 hours |
| S2 | ARCT5593 | Furniture: from prototype to production | None | lectures: 12 hours; seminars/workshops: 24 hours |
| N/A | ARCT5885 | Bio-Based Materials in Global Settings | None | lectures: 1 hour; workshop/practical classes; 2 hours for up to 12 weeks |
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications |
| The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending one compulsory 3-hour workshop per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions together with practical lab work using GIS software. Completion of the practical workshop labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4403 | Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science | Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester. | |
| S1 | URBD5803 | Sustainability and Cities | None | 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial per week |
| S2 | URBD5805 | Contemporary Urbanism | None | 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial per week |
| S1 | URBD5807 | The Forces that Shape Cities |
| 1 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial per week |
| NS, S1, S2 | WILG5001 | Work Integrated Learning Internship Program |
| Industry experience: 100 hours Online sessions with Unit Coordinator: 1-2 hours |
For students in Course by Coursework and Dissertation, take 18 points of dissertation units as directed by the School. Take an
additional 12 points of option units from Option Group A.
B Dissertation
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | LACH5503 | Independent Dissertation Part 1 |
| up to 1 hour per week (on average) of individual consultation and seminar |
| S1, S2 | LACH5504 | Independent Dissertation Part 2 (12 points) | up to 1 hour per week (on average) of individual consultation and seminar | |
| S1, S2 | LACH5510 | Independent Dissertation by Design Part 1 |
| up to 1 hour per week (on average) of individual consultation and seminar |
| S1, S2 | LACH5511 | Independent Dissertation by Design Part 2 (12 points) | up to 1 hour per week (on average) of individual consultation and seminar |
Building Information Modelling (focus area)
For students in Course by Coursework only with the Focus Area "Building Information Modelling", take all units (24 points). Take an additional 6 points of option units from Option Group A.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BLDG5000 | BIM Authors |
| 3 hours per week. |
| S1 | BLDG5300 | BIM Sustainability |
| 3 hours per week. |
| S1, S2 | BLDG5800 | Major Project (12 points) |
| 3 hour studio per week |
Environmental Planning (focus area)
For students in Course by Coursework only with the Focus Area "Environmental Planning", take all units (24 points). Take an additional 6 points of option units from Option Group A.
Note: Please note in 2024 students should take ENVT5561 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Multifunctional Landscapes instead of GEOG4003 Fundamentals of Planning. Contact your Student Office.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications |
| The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending one compulsory 3-hour workshop per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions together with practical lab work using GIS software. Completion of the practical workshop labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. |
| N/A | GEOG4003 | Fundamentals of Planning | None | Video presentations - up to 20 x 20 minutes Virtual fieldwork - 3 days |
| S2 | GEOG5411 | Regional Development in the Global Context |
| 40 (teaching blocks: 12 x 2 hours 45 minutes; field trip: 1 x 7 hours) |
| S1 | URBD5803 | Sustainability and Cities | None | 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial per week |
Social Impact Design (focus area)
For students in Course by Coursework only with the Focus Area "Social Impact Design", take 12 points of Impact Design core units and 12 points of Impact Design option units. Take an additional 6 points of option units from Option Group A.
Note: Please note in 2024 students should take ARCT5590 Architectural Studies instead of ARCT5885 Bio-Based Materials in Global Settings. Contact your Student Office.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ARCT5521 | Empowering Communities Through Design | None | 3 hours per week |
| N/A | ARCT5885 | Bio-Based Materials in Global Settings | None | lectures: 1 hour; workshop/practical classes; 2 hours for up to 12 weeks |
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ARCT5528 | Delivering Good Design | None | up to 3 hours per week for up to 12 weeks |
| S2 | ARLA4506 | Research Strategies in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Architecture |
| 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial |
| S1 | URBD5810 | Healthy by Design | None | 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial |
Urban Design (focus area)
For students in Course by Coursework only with the Focus Area "Urban Design", take 12 points of Urban Design core units and 12 points of Urban Design option units. Take an additional 6 points of option units from Option Group A.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | URBD5803 | Sustainability and Cities | None | 1 hour lecture; 2 hours tutorial per week |
| S1 | URBD5807 | The Forces that Shape Cities |
| 1 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial per week |
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 per cent.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6. This course does not form part of an articulated sequence.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 144 points (maximum value) which includes conversion units to a value of 48 points, course core units and focus area units. The course comprises the following focus areas :
- FA-BDIMD Building Information Modelling
- FA-ENVPL Environmental Planning
- FA-SIDSN Social Impact Design
- FA-UBDSN Urban Design
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
(3) Students who have completed a bachelor's degree with a major in Landscape Architecture, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty, are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 48 points.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).
Additional rules
Time limit
14. Unless the School approves an extension, the time limit is six years from the beginning of the semester in which the first unit is credited towards the course.