Application information to apply for the
BACHELOR OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE (HONS)
MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
for study in 2024
Thank you for your interest in the Landscape Architecture degrees at the University of
Cape Town. The degrees are offered by the School of Architecture Planning and
Geomatics located in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment.
Quick links
2023 Directions for Postgraduate Applicants
Online application
Contacts / enquiries
For general application enquiries please contact the Administrator Mcebisi Mdluli at
For enquiries regarding the degrees and courses please contact Clinton Hindes at
Programme website:
https://ebe.uct.ac.za/school-apg/bachelor-landscape-architecture-hons
MLA thesis exhibition: https://www.landscapearchitectureuct.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landscape.architecture.uct/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UCTLandscapeArchitectureProgramme
UCT Landscape Architecture Application Information
01 Application deadlines
International applications: 31 October 2023
Local applications: 30 November 2023
02 Minimum admission requirements
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Honours
Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor of Architectural Studies or equivalent or an
NQF 7 qualification in Landscape Architecture. Please note that applicants holding
non-design but related Bachelor degrees will be required to enrol for the Bachelor in
Landscape Architecture Honours (Bridging Stream). See FAQs.
Master of Landscape Architecture
An Honours qualification (or NQF level 8 equivalent) in Landscape Architecture is a
requirement for entry into the MLA programme.
Please also consult the Faculty of Engineering and the EBE Postgraduate Handbook
2023 for additional admissions requirements.
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UCT Landscape Architecture Application Information
03 Application process
Preparation
● Ensure that you meet the minimum admission requirements (see above)
● Refer to 2023 Directions for Postgraduate Applicants
● Access the Online application
● In addition to the online application, students are required to submit their application
(including ALL associated documents - certified where required) to Mcebisi
The online application will direct you to upload the following:
1. A digital copy of your latest university transcript and degree certificate(s).
External applicants (i.e. if your previous degree was not completed at UCT) are
requested to email a certified copy of your original university transcript to
username/applicant number in the email header). Certified copies can be made at a
police station, a post office or by a commissioner of oaths.
NB: If you are still in the process of completing your degree, please send preliminary
results as part of your application but note that the university will not finalise a firm
offer of place until your final certified transcript is received which states that you
are a qualifier for the degree.
2. Curriculum vitae: this should include personal details, interests, travel or work
experience.
3. Letter of motivation: submit a statement in your own words (approximately 750
words) of why you are attracted to the landscape architecture field, and what you
hope to do with your qualification. This letter, with the portfolio, provides an
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UCT Landscape Architecture Application Information
important opportunity for you to give the assessment panel an understanding of
who you are. It is advisable to undertake some research on landscape architecture
online, to speak to landscape architects about the profession of landscape
architecture and to reflect on this in your letter of motivation.
4. A portfolio of design and creative work that includes:
a. a diagram (drawn by hand in any medium) explaining from memory the
route from your home to another destination such as the local school
b. a drawing (drawn by hand in any medium) showing how a material is used to
make a specific element in the landscape
c. If you have completed a design-based degree, we would like to get a sense of
your design and technical and thinking abilities, so please include conceptual
(rough / hand), final presentation and technical drawings. Please do not
submit drawings undertaken as part of a team in practice, only drawings for
which you are the sole author.
d. Please feel free to include other creative work outside design that will give
the panel a sense of who you are and how you think. For those applying from
a related non-design based degree, the portfolio may include evidence of any
creative work (art, drawing, photography, sculpture etc.).
e. The portfolio should be compiled as one PDF of no more than 20MB.
It is strongly advised that you complete your online application and submit the
above items as soon after the applications open as possible. This is to ensure
you receive a selection result as early as possible, which will enable you to make
timeous arrangements to complete the bridging courses (if required), register
before the registration deadline, attend the programme orientation, and be able
to start classes on the first day of the semester (see dates below).
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UCT Landscape Architecture Application Information
Once your application has been submitted please keep a close eye on your
emails and Peoplesoft for any additional information or action that may be
required. Failure to do so may result in your application being severely delayed.
04 International students
In addition to the application requirements above, if students have not attended a
South African University prior to application, you are required to supply a SAQA NQF
Level Confirmation Certificate to validate your previous degree / university. You may
include this certificate on the first page of your portfolio.
Successful international applicants are strongly advised to apply for a study visa
immediately after receiving an offer to avoid delays. International students must
factor visa processing times (minimum 6 – 8 weeks) as well as International Student
Clearance with the IAPO, within timelines for registration. International applicants are
therefore strongly advised to submit completed applications well before 31 October
2023 to ensure timeous registration for 2024 (please see 2024 calendar below).
The International Programmes Office can be contacted at
http://www.iapo.uct.ac.za/.
05 Application dates and calendar
TBC
Online applications open for 2024
31 Oct 2023
International application deadline for study in 2024
30 Nov 2023
Application deadline for study in 2024 (South African students only)
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UCT Landscape Architecture Application Information
Jan / July 2024
Bridging stream courses
TBC
Orientation and registration
TBC
Classes start
Please visit the UCT calendar for updates to the 2024 term dates.
06 FAQs
Application queries
What non-design but related fields of study need to apply for the Bridging
Stream?
Qualifications such as the BSc Environmental Science, BA Fine Arts, Ad Dip in
Landscape Construction or BTech in Project Management are what we call related
degrees (the content is relevant to the body of knowledge of landscape architecture).
But, as these are not design-based degrees (and design is important in landscape
architecture), applicants are required to apply for the Bridging stream which includes
an additional course which runs for 3-4 weeks in January and/or July.
Does a qualification in Public Health or Business Studies qualify as a
prerequisite for the Bachelor in Landscape Architecture (Honours)?
No, these are unrelated degrees. We would recommend completing a related degree
such as Environmental Science or Bachelor of City and Regional Planning (Hons)
before applying for the BLA (Hons).
I have a Honours or Master of Architecture degree, do I need to complete the
Bachelor in Landscape Architecture (Honours) before applying for the Master of
Landscape Architecture?
The BLA (Hons) degree has considerable ecological content, plant (botanical /
horticultural), landscape architectural history and theory, as well as landscape related
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UCT Landscape Architecture Application Information
spatial design and construction content. In order for you to qualify for entry to the
MLA you would first need to complete the BLA (Hons) degree.
Is there a limit to the number of students the department accepts each year?
Yes, we aim to have about 20 students in each year: 20 in the BLA and 20 in the MLA.
Course / programme queries
Course fees
The 2023 fees handbook can be found here (the Landscape architecture programme
fees are listed on page 46). For more information regarding fees, please contact the
Are there bursaries or scholarships available?
The Institute of Landscape Architecture in South Africa has a bursary programme with
applications due in November. Please visit their bursary website for updates. Please
note ILASA supports multiple institutions and currently only supports one bursary per
institution.
Applicants are strongly advised to apply for funding well in advance. Many bursary
applications close 3 - 6 months before the start of the academic year. For example,
the NRF deadlines for funding applications are usually mid-year.
For more information please visit the UCT Postgraduate Funding website or visit their
contacts page.
Do I need a laptop to study?
A laptop is required to participate in classes on campus, please see suggested spec
below:
Operating System: 64-bit Windows 10, min quad-core i5 (i7 recommended)
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UCT Landscape Architecture Application Information
Processor: 2.5 GHz (3+ GHz recommended)
Memory: 8 GB (16GB recommended)
Disk space: 10.0 GB
Display: 1920 x 1080 resolution with True Colour
What computer programmes are required for this course?
Both landscape architecture qualifications make use of a range of computer
programmes including MS Office, AutoCAD, SketchUp, QGIS, Revit, Adobe Suite
(Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator). It is not necessary for you to purchase these
programmes yourself as they are all available on campus computers. Some
programmes such as AutoCAD can be downloaded for free as part of an educational
licence.
Can I study part-time?
Yes, the Extended Programme is available to students who choose to complete the
BLA (Hons) over two years i.e. you are able to take half your courses in the first year
and then the other half in the second. Please note that for both years of study you will
be required to attend classes during the day.
Can I study remotely?
All students are required to be in Cape Town and attend classes on campus as the
degree is not offered in a correspondence (remote) format.
Career prospects
What is the demand for landscape architects in South Africa?
The majority of our graduates are finding work in the field and most who go overseas
also find employment there. Landscape architecture as a built environment
profession is affected by economics / recessions (as with architects, civil engineers
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UCT Landscape Architecture Application Information
etc.) so demand for work fluctuates. Our work is however vital and we continually
advocate for its importance to be recognised.
Is there an international demand for landscape architects? If so, which
countries?
The demand internationally is also dependent on the state of the economy and
specifically the construction industry. Our graduates who have gone overseas seem
to all find work, and a number have established themselves there and have not
returned as yet to South Africa.
Are there networking events such as open lectures, exhibitions, events with
(landscape architecture firms and organisations like ILASA) that happen
throughout the year?
If you follow ILASA or UCT LA on social media you should see these events advertised.
(See UCT’s social media links on our website.)
https://www.instagram.com/ilasa_za/
https://www.facebook.com/ilasa.co.za/
Will the qualification, with my background in environmental sciences be
accounted for when applying to landscape architectural companies?
Yes, for sure! There are landscape architects who prefer the environmental side of the
field more than the design side. These professionals work in landscape architecture
and other kinds of practices (such as engineering firms) which focus on or have a
division for environmental work (visual impact assessment, resource management,
landscape management frameworks, environmental impact assessment etc.). So an
environmental science background is useful to have.
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