Landscape Architecture

 

Mana Taheri: My Tartu

The story of an Iranian architect who came to Tartu to study Landscape Architecture at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

 

Quick links:

Admission requirements
Department of Landscape Architecture 
Chair of Landscape Architecture

 

About the programme

Landscape Architecture is a discipline that focuses on intervention in the landscape through the activities of planning, design, and management. It sits at the intersection of the natural and social sciences, arts and humanities and planning and design. also focuses on the theory and evidence that underpins these activities and the implementation of proposals at a range of spatial scales. It is united around the concept of landscape, which is defined in the European Landscape Convention as “an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”. From a practical standpoint covers all outdoor spaces, environments and places and the relationships between people and these spaces, environments, and places, both in terms of activities and perceptions.

Landscape Architecture is concerned with planning, designing and managing landscapes of all types, both urban and rural, and at all scales from the smallest open space to the region and this is reflected in the curriculum.

The curriculum provides a professional education for those who wish to become practitioners of landscape architecture. It can be approached in two ways.

Firstly, it builds on the level of achievement expected from a bachelor degree in the subject – so providing continuity from three years of bachelor study with two years of master study, fulfilling the European 3+2 model and more than the minimum of 4 years of study required by IFLA (the International Federation of Landscape Architects).

Secondly, it is possible for applicants with a bachelor degree in a neighbouring discipline (such as architecture, planning, engineering, forestry, horticulture, geography or ecology) to follow the programme as a “conversion master” by building on subjects studied in those disciplines which are relevant to landscape architecture and then building on to them. Additional courses can be taken to fill gaps in knowledge, such as planting design for those from an architecture or engineering background.

The programme has been redesigned to take account of a number of requirements including updating content better to reflect contemporary social and environmental concerns, such as renewable energy, sustainable urban drainage, health and wellbeing, the bioeconomy, and to align with the IFLA Common Training Framework. We also offer training in the main IT software used in landscape architecture such as Adobe Suite, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, ArcGIS and QGIS and we also apply BIM (Building Information Management) modelling in the major project courses.

> Course annotations

> Landscape Architecture Booklet link

Teaching methods
 

The programme offers different ways of study: not only full time in-person attendance but also a distant learning version where students attend in person occasionally and continue work in a hybrid mode in between those periods, where synchronous or asynchronous teaching such as online and recorded lectures takes place.

The programme offers two choices of focus for the final year: one comprises a large 30 credit final design project supported by a 10 credit research project, while the alternative is a large 30 credit research-based thesis supported by a 10 credit design project. There is also a 15 credit practical experience internship. This combination ensures graduates are ready for the labour market both within Estonia and beyond. There are also opportunities for exchange with partner universities through the Erasmus+ programme and to participate in courses held jointly with other universities and to enter student competitions.

In the programme, we use a mix of individual study and group project work. Teaching modes range from formal lectures and seminars, numerous field trips to group and individual tuition on studio-based design projects (which make up more than 50% of the programme). Opportunities for research range from library-based research to field work and we offer subjects for research aligned to the specific strengths of the staff and links to research projects, such as health and wellbeing, blue and green spaces, therapeutic gardens, landscape history, outdoor recreation, food and fibrescapes and forest landscapes.

Assessment methods are generally based around projects include writing examination papers, essays, and reports, but also hand-drawn or digital graphic-based plans and images. We consider open, public presentation and criticism of design projects important. We discuss realistic planning, design or management problems, which form the basis of the project work. A relatively large proportion of the curriculum is dedicated to design studios, field visits, and research.

 

Learning outcomes

On graduation you will become a professional landscape architect recognized both in Estonia and internationally.

The programme equips you with appropriate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

  • the physical and natural systems and processes and the complex range of social, economic and cultural factors that interact together to shape the landscape
  • the theories and concepts underlying the practice of landscape architecture
  • the range of techniques and materials used in landscape architecture
  • the professional, legal, institutional and administrative context in which landscape architecture is practiced, including, where appropriate, contract law and landscape specification
  • the social, cultural and environmental values and ethical issues relevant to practice as a landscape architect, with particular emphasis on the role of sustainability
  • the interface between the different areas of the landscape profession and between it and other professions

The programme also equips students with the advanced skills that are essential to prepare for study and critical and reflective practice in landscape architecture. Skills include:

  • to interpret or develop a brief, through research, analysis, and exploration
  • to identify, analyze, synthesize and apply appropriate data and information to support the development of solutions through design
  • to generate, develop and evaluate creative, innovative and appropriate design solutions and proposals
  • to employ a range of relevant techniques and materials to specify and implement creative designs
  •  to conduct most aspects of the professional practice of landscape architecture

 

What students say

 

Hear what our students have to say about Landscape Architecture studies:

 

 

Career opportunities

As a graduate of the programme you will meet the requirements of the Estonian Union of Landscape Architects to be recognised and to join as “graduate members” and be able to work in professional practice in private design offices, in local government or government agencies throughout Europe and beyond, where your skills are needed. You may also use the master degree as a basis for entering a doctoral programme.

 

Financing your studies

The Estonian University of Life Sciences offers 1 scholarship (a tuition fee free study place, no extra money for living and travel included) for the 2024 intake for candidates not from Estonia. Also the Estonian University of Life Sciences offers 2 targeted scholarships for the 2024 intake for candidates from Ukraine (citizens of Ukraine). The scholarships will be awarded to the candidates with the highest amount of admission points and by default, all candidates are considered as applicants to the scholarship. In order to maintain the scholarship during the whole nominal period of studies, the scholarship recipient must comply with the requirements set for full-time study (30 European Credit Transfer System credit points (ECTS) in each semester). If not, the scholarship recipient shall cover his/her cost of tuition, pursuant to the University Council Regulation "Terms and Procedure for Covering the Cost of Tuition in Formal Study", for the remaining study period.

The decision about awarding scholarships will be announced latest on the 21st of June.

Students with Ukrainian citizenship who are admitted for studies at the University with a targeted scholarship student place are exempt from paying the dormitory rent for the nominal duration of their studies

Study loans are offered through Erasmus+ for master students from Spain, Italy (Emilia Romagna region), Croatia, Romania and Turkey. See here to find out more.

 

Contact details

For admission requirements:

Vaike Reisner
Department of Academic Affairs
study@emu.ee

For programme contents, portfolio requirements:

Mana Taheri
programme coordinator
mana.taheri@emu.ee

 

 

 

 

Admission period is open, apply now!

 

Programme duration: 2 years

Degree: Master of Science in Engineering

Language: English

Application fee: 100 euros (non-refundable)

Tuition fee: 3800 EUR/year

Scholarships: 1 targeted scholarship (a tuition fee free study place, no extra money for living and travel included) for candidates not from Estonia; 2 targeted scholarships for candidates from Ukraine (citizens of Ukraine).

 

Admission is opened since:

February 1, 2024

 

Admission deadline:

April 10, 2024 (non-EU candidates)

May 31, 2024 (EU/EEA, Switzerland, Georgian, UK and Turkish candidates)

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