Why Study / Key Benefits

• Lincoln University’s Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) is designed to prepare students for professional landscape architecture practice in New Zealand and internationally. Lincoln describes the qualification as an international-standard landscape architecture education.
• The 240-credit pathway is particularly useful for students who already hold a university degree in another discipline but do not have an accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA). It provides a route to an NZILA-accredited professional landscape architecture qualification.
• The 120-credit pathway is designed for graduates who already hold an accredited BLA and want advanced or specialised study, including evidence-based design.
• Students develop knowledge and skills in landscape design and planning, urban and landscape ecology, resilient landscape design, sustainable communities, structure planning, urban and rural landscapes, and indigenous M?ori landscape design.
• The School of Landscape Architecture is New Zealand’s longest-established landscape architecture training institution and provides practical learning through site visits, field trips and field tours.
• Lincoln states that graduates are highly sought after in public and private sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and internationally. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

For the current 240-credit taught MLA, Lincoln specifies:

• 10 master's-level courses × 20 credits = 200 credits.
• Dissertation = 40 credits.
• Total = 240 credits.

The 2026 Academic Calendar identifies the 240-credit programme's Schedule B courses as:

• DESN 603 – Advanced Design Project
• DESN 697 – Research Issues in Design
• DESN 698 – Design or Research Essay
• DESN 699 – Research Placement
• LASC 610 – Advanced Site Design
• LASC 612 – Advanced Practice in Landscape Architecture
• LASC 613 – Advanced Theory in Landscape Architecture
• LASC 617 – Advanced Design Study
• LASC 620 – Landscape Assessment
• LASC 621 – Advanced Site Engineering and Design Detailing
• Plus a 40-credit dissertation.

For the 120-credit taught MLA, Schedule A includes courses such as:

• DESN 601 – Strategic Design
• DESN 602 – Design Process and Critique
• LASC 613 – Advanced Theory in Landscape Architecture
• LASC 615 – Advanced Landscape Planning and Policy
• LASC 616 – Landscape Management
• LASC 617 – Advanced Design Study
• LASC 698 – Design or Research Essay
• LASC 699 – Research Placement
• Plus a 40-credit dissertation.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not advertise separate fixed named specialisations. Instead, students develop advanced expertise through course selection and their design/research work.

Key subject areas include:

• Landscape architecture and design
• Advanced site design
• Landscape planning and policy
• Landscape assessment
• Landscape management
• Urban ecology
• Landscape ecology
• Resilient landscape design
• Sustainable communities
• Structure planning
• Urban and rural landscapes
• Indigenous M?ori landscape design
• Advanced site engineering and design detailing
• Landscape architecture practice
• Design research and evidence-based design
• Strategic design
• Design critique
• Research placement and dissertation.

Programme Highlights

• NZILA accreditation for the professional 240-credit MLA.
• Two-year professional master's pathway for graduates without an accredited BLA.
• One-year advanced master's pathway for graduates with an accredited BLA.
• Practical, design-oriented education.
• Real-world landscape and site-based learning.
• Strong emphasis on sustainability and resilient landscapes.
• Coverage of M?ori and indigenous approaches to landscape design.
• Development of CAD and other digital/graphic skills.
• Dissertation/research component.
• Opportunity to progress to PhD-level study after the MLA.
• Lincoln's School of Landscape Architecture has been educating professional landscape architects for more than 50 years.

Career Outcomes

The programme prepares graduates for professional landscape architecture careers.

Potential career directions include:

• Landscape architect
• Landscape architecture consultant
• Landscape design practice
• Government landscape/planning roles
• Urban design-related work
• Environmental design
• Landscape planning
• Landscape assessment
• Landscape management
• Collaboration with architects, planners, engineers and ecologists
• Independent landscape architecture practice. 

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The latest programme page currently lists 22 February 2027 and 19 July 2027 as upcoming starts.
• The programme page confirms that the 240-credit MLA is the professional route for students without an accredited BLA.
• A portfolio is compulsory for the 240-credit pathway.
• Vectorworks or AutoCAD competency is specifically required for the 240-credit pathway.
• The 240-credit programme is NZILA accredited.
• Lincoln's 2026 Academic Calendar confirms that every MLA candidate's course of study must be approved by the Academic Board.
• Lincoln may vary programmes, courses and entry availability, so students should confirm the final course plan before enrolment.
• Online/blended delivery is Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student coming to New Zealand to study this programme on campus, the principal visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand requires applicants to meet the relevant student-visa conditions, including:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of funds for tuition or an applicable scholarship/sponsorship arrangement.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds.
• Evidence of funds or arrangements for onward travel.
• Appropriate insurance where required.
• Genuine intention to study and compliance with visa conditions.

For tertiary study, Immigration New Zealand currently specifies living-cost evidence of:

• NZ$20,000 per year, or
• NZ$1,667 per month if the study period is less than one year.

A student visa may specify:

• The approved programme of study.
• The education provider.
• The New Zealand location of the provider.
• Insurance requirements.
• Other specific visa conditions.