Master of Science (MSc) in Landscape Architecture

About the programme

Leave your mark on the landscapes and urban spaces of the future. During the 2-year MSc programme in Landscape Architecture you learn about the planning and management of both cities and landscapes. You work with design, planning and analysis, in order to create attractive, varied and sustainable urban environments and housing areas, parks and landscapes, so that they provide excellent human and natural settings for many years to come.

Admission and application

To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed a qualifying bachelor’s degree or a similar Danish or international degree programme which is assessed to be relevant. Apply for admission via the application portal.

Below, you can read more about admission requirements and which documents to upload in the application portal. 

Academic admission requirements

Here you'll find the different academic requirements depending on which qualifying degree you hold.

With a Bachelor's degree in

  • Landscape Architecture from University of Copenhagen

you are granted legal right of admission and guaranteed a place on the Master’s programme in Landscape Architecture if you apply in time to begin within 3 years of the completion of your Bachelor’s degree.

Learn about when and how to apply

You meet all academic requirements if you hold one of the degrees listed below. Learn about when and how to apply. Note, however, that you still need to document that you meet the programme's language requirements.

Bachelor's degree in

  • Landscape Architecture (landskabsarkitektur) from University of Copenhagen (note, that if you apply in time to begin within 3 years of the completion of your Bachelor’s degree, you have legal right of admission to the Master's programme)
  • Architecture from Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
  • Architecture from Aarhus School of Architecture
  • Engineering (Architecture and Design with specialisation in Architecture and Urban Design) from Aalborg University

Professional Bachelor's degree in

  • Forest and Landscape Engineering (skov- og landskabsingeniør) from University of Copenhagen
  • Urban Landscape Engineering from Zealand Institute of Business and Technology

Additionally, you are encouraged to submit an annotated electronic portfolio of design projects/artwork of 15 pages demonstrating an ability to design with IT tools such as Adobe, CAD and/or 3D programs as this is an important criterion in the prioritisation of applicants.

Check which master’s programmes at UCPH your bachelor programme is pre-approved for admission - only available in Danish >>

If you have a Bachelor’s degree other than those listed above, you must submit additional documentation along with your application so we can evaluate whether or not you meet the admission requirements. Learn about when and how to apply.

If you have a Bachelor’s degree, Professional Bachelor's degree or equivalent from Danish or international universities you are qualified for admission if your programme includes the following:

Design: A minimum of 60 ECTS credits within design courses such as these courses from the Faculty of Science:

Ecology (Økologi): A minimum of 15 ECTS credits within ecology courses such as these courses from the Faculty of Science:

Philosophy of Science (Videnskabsteori): A minimum of 7.5 ECTS credits of courses from The Faculty of Science such as:

Additionally, you are encouraged to submit an annotated electronic portfolio of design projects/artwork of 15 pages demonstrating an ability to design with IT tools such as Adobe, CAD and/or 3D programs as this is an important criterion in the prioritisation of applicants.

We may also admit applicants who, after an individual academic assessment, are deemed to possess educational qualifications equivalent to those required above.

Qualifying degree and other courses/projects

When we assess whether you meet the admission requirements for the Master's degree program, Danish legislation only allows us to assess your Bachelor's degree. Consequently, you cannot study supplementary courses between Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in order to meet the admission requirements.

If you have passed courses/projects before you complete the qualifying Bachelor's degree, these can be included in the assessment, even though they are not part of the Bachelor's degree program.

  • It applies to courses/projects you have taken as single subjects and courses/projects you have taken as part of another study program.
  • A maximum of 30 ECTS credits of these courses/projects may be included.

International Bachelor’s degree

You can only get an answer to whether or not your degree meets the admission requirement by applying for admission to the MSc Programme. Only the admission committee can evaluate whether you are qualified or not and they only do this once they have received your application.

Bachelor’s degree from Denmark

You are entitled to 1 pre-assessment for 1 study programme, where, based on an assessment of the documentation you have submitted, we will inform you whether you meet the admission requirements.

This is a service offered by SCIENCE, but it is not a service you have to make use of in order for you to apply for admission.

Read about pre-assessment

Language requirements

Unless you have a legal right of admission to the programme you are applying for, you are required to document proficiency in English.

See language requirements

Application deadlines

Study start in September

1 March at 23:59

Application deadline for Danish applicants and applicants from within the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 16 January. You will receive a reply by 10 June.

15 January at 23:59

Application deadline for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Open for applications from 15 November. You will receive a reply by 1 May.

How to apply

Choose the category below that fits you and read more about how to apply for admission. You will also find information about application deadlines and documentation on the websites.

Citizen in Denmark, EU EEA og Switzerland

Bachelor with legal right of admission

Bachelor’s degree from Denmark

International bachelor’s degree

Citizen in a country outside EU, EEA or Switzerland

Bachelor’s degree from Denmark

International bachelor’s degree

Prioritisation of applicants

If the number of qualified applicants to the programme exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be prioritised according to the following criteria:

  • The relevance and quality of submitted portfolio from the qualifying degree (collection of designworks and planning projects which represent experience, knowledge, skills and competences)
  • Total number of ECTS credits in relevant courses (relevant courses include courses in urban and landscape design, design courses in general, ecology courses and courses in philosophy of science)
  • Grade-point average achieved in qualifying degree

Limitation on second degrees

If you have already completed a Master's degree, please check out the rules concerning a second degree.

Admission statistics Landscape Architecture 2023
Admitted 55
Admission distribution (legal right/other) 67% / 33%
Applicants 113
Age average 26
Legal gender distribution (cpr. - m/f) 13% / 87%
Nationality (dk/international) 67% / 33%
Available spots No

Programme structure

The MSc programme consists of 1-2 compulsory courses, a number of restricted elective and elective courses, and a thesis. The programme is taught in English.

The programme has two specialisations in either Urban Design or Landscape Design which allows you to strengthen your competencies. You can further shape your course of study through the restricted elective and elective courses on the basis of your academic and personal interests, e.g. within area management, urban ecology, economics or planning of recreational plantings.

Do a Project in Practice or Study Abroad

You can use some of your elective courses to do a Project in Practice in collaboration with a company or an organisation. You can also choose to study abroad as part of your programme. Read more here:

Master's thesis

The MSc programme is concluded with the writing of a thesis corresponding to 4 or 6.5 months of studies.

The thesis may consist of a plan proposal for a specific area or may be a study of an academic problem area which you treat in a scientific context.

Examples of theses and theme projects:

  • Urban development at Nordhavnen (harbour area in Copenhagen)
  • Life on urban rooftops – ideas for public roof gardens
  • General plan and project proposal for industrial site in the city of Fredericia
  • Landscape plan for new residential area in the town of Jægerspris
  • A child’s perspective on park policy with Esbjerg as case city
  • General plan for areas around the port of Aalborg, Denmark
  • The greenways in Copenhagen – recreation, nature, production
  • Plan for restoration of the Harrestrup Å watercourse
  • Garden design with focus on therapy for people affected by stress
  • The cemetery as a cultural phenomenon

Specialisations

The programme has two specialisations:

If you specialise in Urban Design, you follow courses on politics, theory and methods of urban development. You work on specific projects, where you test your knowledge and come up with new proposals for further development of, for example, urban areas and regions.

You begin the specialisation by following two compulsory courses. After that, you are free to follow restricted elective and elective courses on, for example, urban ecology, people and urban areas, administrative law, economics or citizen involvement.

The specialisation can be structured in two ways, depending on the size of your thesis (30 or 45 ECTS):

Course table, Thesis 30 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 60 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.

Year 1

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Theories of Urban DesignRestricted elective courseRestricted elective courseRestricted elective course
Urban Ecosystems: Structure, Functions and DesignRestricted elective courseRestricted elective courseRestricted elective course

Year 

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Restricted elective courseElective courseThesis
Restricted elective courseElective course

Course table, Thesis 45 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.

Year 1

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Theories of Urban DesignRestricted elective courseRestricted elective courseRestricted elective course
Urban Ecosystems: Structure, Functions and DesignRestricted elective courseRestricted elective courseRestricted elective course

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Elective courseThesis
Elective course

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the lists below. Click on each course for a detailed description.

If you write your thesis at 30 ECTS you must choose at least three courses from the list below. If you write a thesis worth 45 ECTS you must choose all your restricted elective courses from the list:

In addition, if you write a thesis at 30 ECTS you can choose courses worth 15 ECTS from this list:

* You can only choose one of these courses.

** Only one of the courses can be included in the programme.

If you choose to specialise in Landscape Design, you learn about theories and methodologies within landscape architecture and landscape planning, enabling you to prepare analyses and specific landscape projects.

The programme can be structured in two ways, depending on the size of your thesis (30 or 45 ECTS):

Course table, Thesis 30 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 60 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 30 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.

Year 1

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Theories and Methods in Landscape ArchitectureRestricted elective courseRestricted elective courseRestricted elective course
Restricted elective courseRestricted elective courseRestricted elective course

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Restricted elective courseElective courseThesis
Restricted elective courseElective course

Course table, Thesis 45 ECTS

Compulsory courses: 15 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 45 ECTS
Elective courses: 15 ECTS
Master's thesis: 45 ECTS

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. The table is primarily for guidance and may be subject to revision.

Year 1

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Theories and Methods in Landscape ArchitectureRestricted elective courseRestricted elective courseRestricted elective course
Restricted elective courseRestricted elective courseRestricted elective course

Year 2

Block 1Block 2Block 3Block 4
Elective courseThesis
Elective course

Restricted Elective Courses

Choose your restricted elective courses from the list below. Click on each course for a detailed description.

If you write your thesis worth 30 ECTS you must choose at least three courses from the list below. If you write a thesis worth 45 ECTS you must choose at least two restricted elective courses from this list:

In addition, you may choose up to 15 ECTS restricted elective courses from this list (thesis 30 or 45 ECTS):

* You can only choose one of these courses.

** Only one of the courses can be included in the programme

Please note: The programme curriculum is for the current academic year. A revised curriculum for the coming academic year will follow.

Video: Siyin and Andreas talk about the study programme in Landscape Architecture

Career opportunities

The MSc programme in Landscape Architecture combines creative disciplines and scientific knowledge with an understanding of society.

As a landscape architect and urban planner, you work with designing anything from local beach parks, harbour transformations and green urban areas to overall landscape planning.

You know the conditions governing the development and structure of the cities and regions and are able to plan, design and manage parks and green areas.

You work analytically and creatively to create unique architecture and perfect solutions for urban and rural areas, resulting in stimulating, well-functioning and sustainable surroundings for people in the future.

Competence Description

As a graduate from the MSc programme in Landscape Architecture, you will also have the competences, for example, to:

  • Propose hypotheses and analyse, programme and plan the development of green spaces
  • Evaluate the quality of landscape architecture projects – both your own and those of others
  • Take a spatial, social and artistic approach in a variety of contexts

Employment

As a landscape architect and urban planner, you have many exciting career opportunities. You can, for example, work with developing specific plans for new urban spaces and areas, harbour transformations etc. at a private architectural firm.

Or you can work in the public sector as, for example, nature manager, parks officer or city planner in charge of developing parks and green areas.

Many landscape architects and urban planners also start their own business, where they handle development, design and management tasks for private individuals, companies and public authorities.

Finally, quite a few landscape architects and urban planners work within communication, research or teaching.

Student life

High quality education in English, a flexible study structure, excellent facilities, an international study environment, attractive and green campus areas, and the opportunity to experience life in Copenhagen, the cool capital of Denmark. These are some of the qualities about studying at Faculty of Science (SCIENCE) at University of Copenhagen that you can expect.

Throughout the year, various social activities are arranged for all SCIENCE students and for international students specifically. These activities include:

  • Introduction Days for new students 
  • A welcome programme for international students
  • International dinners, courses, and lectures
  • Sports activities such as fun runs or bicycle races
  • Career workshops

Students live in residence halls outside campus or share a flat in the Copenhagen area. You will find that the relatively small size of Copenhagen makes it easy to get around, even by bike.

Where Will I be Studying?

The Landscape Architecture programme is primarily based at Frederiksberg Campus.

The Frederiksberg Campus hosts part of the Faculty of Science and the veterinary area of Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. It is located a few kilometres west of the city centre in beautiful green surroundings, and Frederiksberg is a popular residential area. The Gardens, which are part of the Frederiksberg Campus, are popular with both students and locals. In the summer months, you can drop by Café Væksthuset, which is located in an old greenhouse, for a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a delicious sandwich.

At campus, you can join student clubs and societies of a more or less academic nature. Regardless of whether you are interested in choral singing, sports, the theatre or a special academic subject, there is a club for you.

Here you will find some useful links and videos about student life and housing in Copenhagen, and the welcome programme for international students at Faculty of Science.

Video: Study Science at University of Copenhagen

Meet Elizabeth and Alex who study at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. See what it is like to live and study in Denmark.

Video: SCIENCE Welcome Programme

The SCIENCE Welcome Programme is a great way for international students to be introduced to the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen.

Contact student guidance

Contact SCIENCE Student Service

Do you have questions about the programme structure, study or career opportunities, admission requirements or application procedure, please feel free to contact SCIENCE Student Services.

Contact SCIENCE Student Services

Location

  • Faculty of Science, Frederiksberg Campus, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg.
  • Faculty of Science, Frederiksberg Campus, Rolighedsvej 26, DK-1958 Frederiksberg.

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