What courses are available?
Universities and colleges in the UK are offering courses in the following subject areas:
It has a strong vocational link with many courses designed to provide a route to professional qualification. A significant number of courses are accredited by one of the related national awarding bodies. Despite accreditation, courses can still vary considerably in style and content, so it is important to research each one carefully.
Subject combinations and available course options include:
- single and joint subject combinations
- full-time and part-time study options as well as a few courses with a placement (sandwich courses)
- qualifications ranging from BA, BSc, and MEng (Hons) degrees, through to HND, HNC, and Foundation Certificates
Ensuring your course is accredited is very important, as only industry-recognised qualifications enable you to follow a formal route through to becoming fully qualified.'
A degree course in landscape architecture, like the profession it prepares you for, is rich in variety. Some have a strong focus on design skills, while others place a greater emphasis on planning, management or ecology.
Landscape Institute
Are you considering an accelerated degree? Click here to read more about the possibility of completing your undergraduate course on a shorter timescale.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Entry requirements for architecture, building, and planning
A levels – To get on to a related degree, you will usually need a minimum of two A levels, with three A levels and A/B grades required for the most popular courses. Entry requirements range from CCD to AAB, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for BBB. In addition, you normally require five GCSEs at grade C or above, including maths and English. Planning and landscape architecture degrees do not normally require specific A level subjects. Some degrees in building and surveying may also require or prefer maths/science A levels.
Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most common qualification) range from BBBC to AABBB, with universities or colleges most frequently requiring ABBBB. Occasionally, universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges typically ask for BB.
Selection
Architecture courses may require applicants to submit a portfolio of their work, and this is combined with an interview at some universities.
Universities will want you to show that you are an enthusiastic, practical person who is passionate about the environment and society, and how they interact with one another. You may also be asked to provide a portfolio of your work and/or be invited to come in for an interview. These are both good opportunities to clearly communicate your ideas, your creative skills, and your interest in the natural and built environment.
Landscape Institute
Personal statement
Competition for places can be high so personal statements form an essential part of the selection process. Admissions tutors want to see you have aptitude, interest, and motivation in you chosen subject. Many of these degrees are practical and vocational, which means some previous experience can be important.
Universities will be looking for evidence you've done additional reading and research, for example, finding out about award winning architectural designs.
Apprenticeships
If you want to combine work and study while earning a salary, you could consider an apprenticeship. Which apprenticeships are available, and how you apply, depends on where you live.
Find out more about apprenticeships across the UK.
There are over 80 apprenticeships in the construction sector available in England, with more in development.
Each apprenticeship sets out occupational standards for specific job roles, designed by employers. The standards outline the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to demonstrate that an apprentice is fully competent in the job role.
Higher apprenticeships (Level 4)
- Building services engineering technician
- Construction design and build technician
- Construction quantity surveying technician
- Construction site engineering technician
- Facilities manager
- Senior housing/Property management
Degree apprenticeships (Levels 5 – 7)
- Architectural assistant (degree)
- Building control surveyor (degree)
- Building services design engineer (degree)
- Building services engineering site management (degree)
- Chartered surveyor (degree)
- Civil engineering site management (degree)
- Construction quantity surveyor (degree)
- Geospatial mapping and science specialist (degree)
- Project manager
- Senior/Head of facilities management (degree)
- Architect (degree)
- Chartered town planner (degree)
Related careers
Examples of related careers include:
- architect
- architectural technologist
- building control officer
- building surveyor
- environmental consultant
- interior designer
- landscape architect
- quantity surveyor
- rural surveyor
- structural engineer
- town planner
