Becoming A Landscape Architect

From studies, qualifications and exams to finding your first Landscape Architect job, this article explores the steps you need to take to becoming a Landscape Architect.

Learning

Like most modern skills, becoming a landscape architect means you have to go through the A Levels process before taking a specialist degree. Luckily, the A level circuit is quite flexible.

You will need to take three subjects to be able to apply to University. A broad spectrum of subjects is considered, with areas such as Art, Geography, Biology and Environmental studies boosting your application tenfold.

Accredited landscape architect universities include: Edinburgh College of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Leeds Metropolitan University, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Sheffield, Birmingham City University, University of Gloucestershire, Cranfield University, Bath

Most universities offering Landscape architect courses demand an enthusiasm for the subject and a practical outlook. Industry experience will always be beneficial to your application but isn’t always mandatory.

During your course at University you can expect to be delving into, exploring and researching topics both broad and specific across various areas in Landscape Architecture, and producing elegant solutions to problems that crop up in real life situations.


Finding Your First Job

So, the years of studying are finally behind you and your looking for your first architect job. This should be easy right?

In 2009 the government produced a report claiming that the architecture sector was one of the worst hit, as far as job prospects were concerned, by the recession. However, it is 2011, and the industry is picking up on large scale. Britain is currently hosting some of the most exciting architecture projects in the world. Now is a great time to be getting into the industry.

The first step for new graduates is to join the Landscape Architecture Institution, a society which will help you develop your career as you move through jobs.

The best place to find work that suits you would be a recruitment agency. If you can find an agency that specialises in architecture, as they will be more aware of the demands of the job and are likely to pay you a better salary, offer you more flexible hours and varying shift patterns.

From here you will be able to get work as and when you require it. Most agencies offer full time, permanent positions if that is what you are looking for. Further down the line, it is likely you will advance more in career if you have a portfolio of experience, opposed to having worked for a longer amount of time in the same job.