DipHE in Landscape Architecture

Do you have the passion and vision to manage open spaces and green infrastructure sustainably? Do you want to pursue a career in Landscape Architecture, without the commitment of a full degree?

During this two-year full-time programme, you’ll gain the insights and experience to help ensure land, property and estates are managed and cared for as an integral part of our shared, sustainable future.

UCR Landscape Architecture student with drone

Course Overview

Study is based in our University Centre and £9 million National Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology. You will learn first-hand from a team of deeply committed experts in their fields; an inspirational and award-winning team who will help you to flourish and support you to confidently pursue your purpose in a career intimately connected to the landscape.

Our curriculum is innovative and inspiring, built around the core principles of sustainability, function and conservation. Together with our emphasis on practical skills and all-round business awareness, you’ll be well-prepared for the challenges you’ll face in a career in the landscape management sector.

Course Features

  • Design and planning
  • Environmental science
  • Green infrastructure
  • Historical conservation
  • Work placements, site visits and study tours
  • Opportunities to enter national competitions
  • Use of commercial production unit and design studios
  • Use of hydroponic glasshouse and new vertical farming centre

Career Options

  • Landscape architect
  • Parks and landscape manager
  • Greenspace manager
  • Historic landscape consultant
  • Landscape contract manager
  • Progression onto final year of BSc (Hons) Landscape Architecture

Student success

80% of our 2022 Landscape Architecture graduates have gained relevant professional employment in the sector.

Student Success

Karen Ollier | BSc Landscape Architecture

“I completed my BSc (Hons) Landscape Architecture degree at University Centre Reaseheath in 2022 and I am absolutely delighted to have now been offered an amazing opportunity to work as a Green Spaces Project Officer, using all the skills and experience I gained on my course.

“My role is very fast-paced and requires me to carry out a range of initiatives such as tree planting and peat restoration for our nature-based carbon capture project, with the primary aim of achieving our 2025 carbon neutral target.”

Read more at UCR Landscape Architecture graduate achieves dream career

UCR Landscape Architecture graduate Karen 2023

Course Information

A minimum of 96 tariff points from A and AS Levels to include a relevant subject such as Geography, Horticulture, Countryside or Environmental Studies.

  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – DDM in a Countryside, Environmental or Horticulture related subject
  • Access to HE Diploma – D: 15 credits M: 30 credits
  • Scottish Higher – ABBB
    to include a relevant subject such as Geography or Environmental Science
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – D*D*
    in a Countryside, Environmental or Horticulture related subject
  • T Level – M

Non-standard entry: applicants aged 21 years of age or over without standard academic qualifications may be able to demonstrate considerable vocational experience and transferable skills. Their applications will be viewed on an individual basis to assess suitability.   Any applicant who has not received certification for prior learning experiences, but has worked within the discipline, will also be considered. In some instances, applicants may be asked to attend an interview or complete a written assessment to support their application.

  • Plant Use and Association
  • Principles of Environmental Science
  • People, Place and Landscape Context
  • Digital Communication Skills
  • Site Assessment
  • Conservation of British Habitats
  • Landscape Materials
  • Green Infrastructure Management
  • Historical Conservation Management
  • Landscape Sustainability and Environmental Change
  • Research Methods
  • Work Based Learning for the Landbased Industries

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity, plus field trips. Your actual contact hours may depend on which optional modules you select, but the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each year of the course:

Year 1:

27% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 320 hours

Independent Study: 880 hours

Year 2:

24% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 288 hours

Placement: 144 hours

Independent Study: 768 hours

Assessment Methods

Assessments are designed to encourage both academic skills and skills valued in the workplace. They include a combination of coursework and timed assessments in both independent and collaborative formats. Coursework may take many forms including: essays, reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, seminar discussions, interviews, critical reviews and portfolios of evidence. Timed assessments will vary depending upon the nature of the module but will be problem-solving tasks dealing with real-life industry issues which support the development of industry and life skills.

Tuition Fees

As a student at UCR, you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.

Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students, entering University, can be found on our student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.

Tuition fees for international students can also be found on our student finance page.

 

Additional Costs

As part of your experience on the programme, you will need to set aside a budget for:

  • The cost of travel to sites and occasional day trips and off site projects
  • Study tour, which will normally require around £350-£400 for travel and accommodation, in addition to daily expenses
  • Printing, binding, modelmaking, drawing equipment, portfolios and associated stationery costs approximate £400-£700
  • Materials for the final exhibition, which may be up to £250
  • Costs associated with a placement, travel, accommodation, materials etc.

 

Memberships

  • Membership of the Landscape Institute – £32 (1st June-31st May)

    Student membership of the Landscape Institute is really useful to have to be able to access the member networking sections on the Landscape Institute website, discounts for conferences and the quarterly editions of the Landscape Journal. Once you have completed the programme, you could then apply for Licentiate Membership.
  • British Association of Landscape Industries – £15 per annum.

 

Equipment Costs

  • PPE Steel toe capped boots, £40
  • Gloves, £5
  • Drawing equipment/materials, approx. £100
  • A laptop/PC/Mac that supports GIS and Vectorworks software. Many students may already have this, if not they will need to purchase a sufficient device. Students will be able to get free software for the duration of their studies.

 

Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.

Apply directly through UCAS

DHLA

A minimum of 96 UCAS points

September 2025

Full-time: 2 years

Useful Information

Here you will find useful information about the services and support available at University Centre Reaseheath. Click to expand each item:

University Centre Reaseheath is committed to providing additional financial support to those who need it. To find out about the bursary schemes available visit our additional financial support page.

For students to get the best out of their time at University Centre Reaseheath, we must both recognise that we owe obligations to each other. These obligations are set out in our UCR Student Contract. Before you accept an offer of a place at University Centre Reaseheath, it is important that you read these contract conditions. If you are going to be living in Halls of Residence, you will also need to read the Student Accommodation Licence Conditions. Both of these contracts can be found here.

Click here to view the University Centre Reaseheath Student Protection Plan.

All UCR students are given the opportunity to apply for residential accommodation. First year students are guaranteed accommodation and this offer is made to all applicants who live more than a reasonable daily travelling distance from Reaseheath (providing you have applied before the UCAS equal considerations deadline. For full details on our halls of residence visit our accommodation page.

We have a team of dedicated professionals on hand to offer you support. These include our Student Services Team, Inclusive Learning Team, Library and Learning Resources Team and the Reaseheath Careers Service. You can find more information on the support provided at Reaseheath on our support page.

University Centre Reaseheath is proud to welcome international students. For more information, please visit our international students page.

Student Success

Andy Gibson | FdSc Garden and Landscape Design

After studying his Foundation Degree at UCR, Andy Gibson now has a varied and rewarding career as a Senior Landscape Architect. Watch his interview to hear more about his role, why he enjoyed studying at Reaseheath and his advice to other students. 

You can discover what other UCR Landscape Architecture graduates have gone on to do in their careers by visiting our student success page. 

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