DAYS UNTIL SEMESTER
1 2010 STARTS

DON’T MISS OUT. ENROL NOW.

Landscape architecture combines art and science, history and modern technology. The design studio is at the heart of this programme, supplemented and enriched by lecture-based courses. Field trips, overseas study tours and work opportunities further enhance your study experience.

You are here: Unitec home > Study Areas > Architecture and Landscape > Programmes

print version

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

[BLA]

LevelAn indication of the intellectual demand and complexity of skills required to successfully complete a programme, starting at level 1 and progressing up to level 10.

7, 480

creditsThe basic measure used to record the successful completion by a student of a course. To receive a qualification the total number of credits stated must be gained. A year-long, full-time programme of study is equivalent to 120 credits.

Full-time for four years or part-time options available

Starts February

40 places

Applications will be considered in the date order they are received

Programme codeCode used to identify the programme. You may need to know this when applying for a student allowance or loan.

CA2190

Mt Albert campus

Indicative fee

NZ$ 5460

International fees

Programme summary
Courses and timetables
Career opportunities
Admission requirements
Portfolio requirements

Programme summary

Want a career in landscape architecture? Create designs for a variety of exciting landscape projects, and further your understanding of CAD modelling, environmental planning and contemporary urbanism.

Have you always wanted to work in landscape architecture? This rapidly growing profession combines the creative world of design with the energy of the outdoors. It brings together art and science, history and modern technology and can be applied to a range of projects, from courtyard gardens to luxury resorts and city spaces. As a landscape architect, you’ll have the vision and capability to transform the spaces around you and to help shape our world. In many modern design practices, landscape architects, architects, interior designers, engineers and planners work closely together, resulting in projects that capture the richness of the multi-disciplinary approach.

This professionally accredited programme equips you with the skills for a career in this exciting industry. At the heart of the programme is the design studio, where you’ll work on the designs for your landscape architecture projects. Further enriching the studio work is a series of lecture-based classes, where you’ll learn about landscape and environmental design, the history and theory of landscape architecture, contemporary urbanism, and environmental planning, assessment and management. You’ll also improve your knowledge of contemporary design methodology and three-dimensional CAD modelling.

Real-world learning
You’ll learn from practising landscape architects, many of whom have won prestigious design awards. Work on studio projects with professional landscape architects, and enjoy regular contact with architects, interior designers, planners and engineers, providing you with valuable industry contacts for your future career.

Field trips, study tours to the Pacific or Europe, and work experience further enhance your study experience.

Industry recognition
The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture is accredited by the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA).

top of page ^

Courses and timetables

The following is a selection of the compulsory courses you need to study to complete this programme. Click the links below to view the course details and timetables for 2010.

^{Course no.}^{Course name}

LAND5111 History of Landscape Architecture A

LAND5112 Landscape History of Aotearoa

LAND5113 Visual Communication

LAND5114 Design of Cities

LAND5221 Studio

LAND5222 Studio

LAND5223 Studio

LAND5331 Earth Processes

+ View the full list of courses for 2010

top of page ^

Career opportunities

Environmental design consultant
Heritage landscape consultant
Landscape architect
Landscape assessment consultant
Landscape planner
Urban landscape designer

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general, discretionary or special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

General admission

Applicants must:

Be at least 16 years of age when the programme begins (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form, which you can obtain from your local Ministry of Education office); and
Have a minimum of 42 NCEA credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of:
- 14 credits in each of two subjects from an approved subject list; and
- 14 credits taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects; and
Have a minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the National Qualifications Framework; and
Have a minimum of eight credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori , of which four credits must be in Reading and four in Writing (see note), or equivalent; or
Have at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent; or
Have the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga (Level 3) with a relevant endorsement, where appropriate.

Discretionary admission (for applicants aged under 20)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are less than 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for discretionary admission if they can demonstrate aptitude for study at the required level. This may include, for example:

Having a minimum of 72 NCEA credits at level 2 in their best four subjects, or equivalent; or
Having a maximum total of 12 in their best four New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate subjects, or equivalent.

Special admission (for applicants aged 20 and over)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for special admission if they can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.

English language

Applicants must:

Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent; or
Have a minimum of seven NCEA credits at level 3 in an English-rich subject, or equivalent; or
Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium; or
Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate English, or equivalent; or
Have New Zealand University Bursaries in an English-rich subject with a minimum mark of 40 percent, or equivalent; or
Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.5 (with no band score lower than 6.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 575, or equivalent; or
Have an appropriate Unitec English language qualification, such as the Diploma in English (Advanced), or equivalent.

Applicants may be interviewed.

^{Note: New Zealand secondary school graduates who have English as an additional language (EAL) using NCEA to meet Unitec programmes general admission criteria may substitute the eight credits in English at NCEA level 2 (four in Reading and four in Writing) with an IELTS score (or equivalent). This IELTS score is the same as that required by the programme in which they wish to enrol. These students are still required to achieve a minimum of 42 NCEA credits at level 3 or higher and the Mathematics or Pangarau requirements.}

top of page ^

Portfolio requirements

If you are invited for an interview, you should bring a CV and portfolio of work with you.

Your portfolio should demonstrate an ability to explore, develop and communicate artistic and design ideas.

You should include a range of design and graphic work that illustrates consideration of space, material, form and texture.

You may include examples of painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, life drawing, collage, computer-generated images, and built or constructed work.

You should present at least 10 sheets of work in an A3 or A2 folder.