Universities

Studying Landscape Architecture

To become a landscape architect, you can study at numerous universities across Australia, with nearly all capital cities offering a landscape architecture program.


The first step in becoming a professional Registered Landscape Architect is to graduate from an AILA-accredited program.  The accreditation status is noted on the Available Program table below.

Programs Duration 

Professional accredited programs are available as a four-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with Honours, or a two-year Master of Landscape Architecture. Some universities offer a 3-year Bachelor of Landscape Design or Built Environments - this is not an accredited Program, but provides a pathway to enrol in the Accredited Masters of Landscape Architecture Program. To become a professional Registered Landscape Architect, it is recommended you graduate from an accredited program.

Areas of the Curriculum 

As a landscape architecture student, you’ll learn about a wide range of subjects which represent the broad, foundational knowledge to become a landscape architect. Areas of the curriculum in accredited programs include:

  • Design: Design is central to the practice of landscape architecture and operates across a range of scales—from individual sites to broader systems and regional contexts. The design studio is where you will develop ideas, collaborate with experienced design professionals, and work alongside fellow students who may become your future colleagues. In studio-based courses, you will respond to design briefs to produce conceptual designs, design development and detailing, construction documentation and specifications, as well as master planning and landscape planning proposals. Design processes incorporate both analogue and digital technologies and workflows, and typically include site visits, hand drawing, physical model making, and spatial recording to support site-specific responses.

 

  • Environments: A suite of courses will build your understanding of natural and cultural environments, including plant and soil science, diverse geographies, local ecologies, and land management practices. You will develop a strong awareness of natural systems, their interactions and performance, and how they adapt in response to human-induced climate change.

 

  • History and Theory: You will explore the historical foundations of landscape architecture and examine how human activity has shaped landscapes over millennia. This includes engagement with the established historical canon of the discipline, with reference to northern European and American traditions, as well as localised First Nations knowledge and protocols relevant to built environment professionals.

 

  • Technology and Construction: These courses focus on the technical dimensions of landscape architecture, including landform manipulation (grading), materials and structures, site planning, and landscape performance. You will learn to produce documentation for construction and engage with digital technologies and software tools, including digital modelling and emerging opportunities such as AI integration in design workflows.

 

  • Professional Practice: Professional practice courses introduce you to the ethical, legal, and cultural frameworks that shape the profession. You will learn about industry standards, project procurement and delivery processes, stewardship and advocacy, public policy and regulation, and may have the opportunity to undertake a work-integrated learning placement.

 

  • Communication and Collaboration: In a fast-paced professional environment, effective communication is essential to your success. You will develop skills across a range of analogue and digital processes and applications, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. These courses will also support the development of key interpersonal skills—enhancing your verbal presentation abilities, collaboration with peers, leadership, adaptability, and capacity to respond to complex, real-world challenges.

Each university and Program has a unique way they deliver their curriculum in their local geography. If you are interested in studying landscape architecture reach out to your local university, and attend the annual open day.

Connect with fellow students with FRESH

If you would like to stay in touch with design-minded folk pre-university, contact the AILA FRESH groups.

AILA FRESH supports and develops students and recent graduates in the transition from university to finding their professional feet. It enables university and high school students to get a running start in the profession before they graduate.

There are lots of free and affordable events on each year, and our FRESH crew love to see new faces.

Read more 

Free student membership with AILA

You can also become a free AILA student member, anytime.

This means you will get free or discounted rates to our ticketed events and regular updates straight to your inbox about landscape architectural happenings in Australia and further afield.

Join free now 

Free Student Membership with AILA

Immerse yourself in the profession. Membership available to High School students, and, undergraduate students of landscape architecture. Boost your knowledge, socialise, and network.

JOIN FREE NOW

Available Courses

The following table list Australian universities programs in landscape architecture. The accreditation status of each program may vary.

State/Territory

University

Course & Link

Type of course

Accreditation status

Accreditation Certificate 

NSW

University of NSW | UNSW

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours)

Undergraduate, 4 years full time

Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2028

2023-28 UNSW BLA hon Certificate

NSW

University of NSW | UNSW

Master of Landscape Architecture

Postgraduate, 3 streams available, 1-3 years full time (pending RPL allocation)

Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2028

2023-28 UNSW MLA Certificate

NSW

University of Technology, Sydney | UTS

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours)

Undergraduate, 4 years full time, or 8 years part time 

Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2026

2021-26 UTS BLA Certificate

NSW

University of Technology, Sydney | UTS

Master of Landscape Architecture

Postgraduate, 2 years full time

Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2029

2024-29 UTS MLA Certificate
QLD Queensland University of Technology | QUT Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) (Landscape Architecture) Undergraduate, 4 years full time, 8 years part time

Accredited*
Next accreditation review: 2025

TBC
QLD Queensland University of Technology | QUT Bachelor of Architectural Design/Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) (Landscape Architecture)  Double Degree - Undergraduate, 5 years full time Accredited*
Next accreditation review: 2025
TBC

QLD

Queensland University of Technology | QUT

Bachelor of Design (Honours) (Landscape Architecture) 

Undergraduate, 4 years full time

Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2026
Closed to new enrolments** 

2021-26 QUT BLA Certificate
 SA Adelaide University Master of Landscape Architecture Postgraduate, 2 years full time  Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2027
2025-2027 Adelaide University MLA Certificate

 SA

University of Adelaide | Uni of ADL

Master of Landscape Architecture 

Postgraduate, 2 years full time

Accredited - now re-accredited for Adelaide University

2022-27 UoAdelaide MLA Certificate
WA University of Western Australia | UWA Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours) Undergraduate Degree, 4 years full time Accredited*, leads to accredited MLA 2022-27 UWA BLA (Hon) 

WA

University of Western Australia | UWA

Master of Landscape Architecture

Postgraduate (Coursework or Coursework and Dissertation), 2 years full time

Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2027

2022-27 UWA MLA Certificate

VIC

RMIT

Bachelor of Landscape Architectural Design

Undergraduate Degree, 3 years full time

Not accredited program, leads to accredited MLA

-

VIC

RMIT

Master of Landscape Architecture

Postgraduate (Coursework)

Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2028

2023-28 RMIT MLA Certificate

VIC

University of Melbourne | Uni of MEL

Master of Landscape Architecture

Postgraduate:

2-year stream (4 years part-time) for graduates with an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture

3-year stream (6 years part-time) for graduates with an undergraduate degree in any discipline

Accredited
Next accreditation review: 2027

 2022-27 UMelb MLA Certificate

VIC

University of Melbourne | Uni of MEL

Master of Landscape Architecture/Master of Architecture (MLA/MArch)

Postgraduate:

3-year stream (6 years part-time) for graduates with an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture AND Architecture

4-year stream (8 years part-time) for graduates with an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture OR Architecture

TBC

 TBC

VIC

University of Melbourne | Uni of MEL

Master of Landscape Architecture/Master of Urban Design

Postgraduate:

3-year stream (4 years part-time) for graduates with an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture

4-year stream (8 years part-time) for graduates with an undergraduate degree from a non-Landscape Architecture discipline

TBC

 TBC

VIC

University of Melbourne | Uni of MEL

Master of Landscape Architecture/Master of Urban Planning

Postgraduate:

3-year stream (4 years part-time) for graduates with an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture

4-year stream (8 years part-time) for graduates with an undergraduate degree from a non-Landscape Architecture discipline

TBC

 TBC
 VIC University of Melbourne | Uni of MEL Bachelor of Design Landscape Architecture Major  Undergraduate Degree, 3 years full time Not accredited program, leads to accredited  -
 ACT University of Canberra Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours) (4 years)   Undergraduate, 4 years full time Accredited*
Next accreditation review: 2026
2022-26 UC BLA hon Certificate

 

* Preliminary accreditation provides an assessment of a program prior to a full post-first-graduate accreditation visit. Full course accreditation will be sought corresponding with the graduation of the first student cohort.
**This program is closed to new enrolments

Join AILA FRESH

FRESH is for Students and Graduates

Student and recent graduate members of AILA have access to a range of resources including AILA FRESH. AILA FRESH supports and develops recent graduates in the transition from university to finding their professional feet. It enables university and high school students to get a running start in the profession before they graduate.