Master of Landscape Architecture

Master of Landscape Architecture

POSTGRADUATE

Lead and innovate within landscape architecture practice with this award-winning course.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

Commonwealth supported places

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$47,040 (2025 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

The Master of Landscape Architecture is about envisioning, investigating, and proposing better ways of living in a complex and changing world.

The Master of Landscape Architecture course is accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. The course is recognised as a world-class facility in fostering design knowledge, critical thinking, and design advocacy through innovative teaching and research.

RMIT’s Master of Landscape Architecture will equip you to become a leader and innovator in landscape architectural practice.

Why study the Master of Landscape Architecture at RMIT?

World-class facilities

Study in design-focused and practical, hands-on studios that model industry best practice.

Learn alongside industry

Learn from acclaimed and award-winning academics, develop practical skills and build industry connections.

International experience

Gain valuable work experience and networks by engaging in international study tours and internships.

Design Research is at its core

Design research projects undertaken within this course sit at a contemporary and international level. Design research enables you to engage profoundly with the discipline. You will investigate issues and topics that are relevant to contemporary issues in urban and natural contexts increasingly affected by climate change, natural disasters and misappropriation of land.

Study in RMIT’s unique design studios

You’ll learn through design studios, which operate as laboratories conducive to experimentation, investigation, and the exploration of design as an agent that responds to issues in the built environment. Studios are led by distinguished local and international academic practitioners drawing from a diverse field of knowledge and experience.

The structure at RMIT is flexible, which allowed me to develop my interests and expertise in a creative, rigorous way. Other universities don’t afford students the same degree of flexibility while maintaining an edgy attitude to design.
Portrait of Niki Schwabe, Master of Landscape Architecture at RMIT -Niki Schwabe, Master of Landscape Architecture

Details

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It’s all centred around learning through design studios

The course’s celebrated design studios are situated within an urban campus, which means you will be immersed a laboratory of design exploration and at the centre of innovation.

Studios are located within the multi award-winning RMIT Design Hub. Studios are one of the major reasons that RMIT Landscape Architecture and its graduates are so highly regarded by industry.

What is a design studio?

Design studios model the best practice of global design firms.

Design studios typically make up half the course each semester, and are taught in small groups. You will focus on a particular design theme and project. You’ll select from a range of studio offerings, and learn specific techniques to develop ideas and outcomes.

In your final year, you will complete a thesis, referred to Design Research Project A+B. This will develop on the research outcomes reached at the conclusion of your landscape architecture studies.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

Acclaimed and award-winning landscape architects, architects, urban designers, and experts in related fields are consistently involved with the teaching and research projects undertaken within this course.

Studios provide engagement with industry. Some projects may involve clients or actual projects where you will develop your proposals within a scenario-based, simulated design practice environment. Professional designers may also form part of your review panel at the end of semester.

Public lectures are held throughout the year, led by prominent landscape architects and urban designers.

Study Tours

A range of design studios offer travelling opportunities overseas to engage in field work, workshops and design projects. Previous locations include Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, France, Spain and Africa.

Internships

Internship placements are offered to students in the Master of Landscape Architecture each year, allowing them to gain work experiences at acclaimed and award-winning practices overseas.  

Global work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

Within the course, you have an opportunity to select from a range of electives to expand your knowledge and skills.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Master of Landscape Architecture
Program code: MC172
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Master of Landscape Architecture
City Campus
Two years Full Time
MC172
064392E
Location
City Campus
Duration
Two years Full Time
Plan code
MC172
CRICOS
064392E
View plan
Master of Landscape Architecture
City Campus
Two years Full Time
MC172
064392E
Location
City Campus
Duration
Two years Full Time
Plan code
MC172
CRICOS
064392E
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

This course will prepare you for the professional practice of landscape architecture, working independently or as part of a large team. From urban design projects to working with large open spaces, the parameters of projects are broad.

As a landscape architect, you will find career opportunities in the design offices of landscape architects, architects, planners, urban designers and engineers throughout Australia, and government organisations at federal, state and municipal levels.

Graduates may also become involved in smaller projects such as private gardens, historic estates and productive landscapes.

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After completion of this two year program graduates meet the requirements to apply for membership and registration with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), the profession's accrediting body.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in architecture or landscape architecture or a related design field.

Selection for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) is competitive, and places are limited. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible. You will be selected based on your grade point average (GPA) and folio.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Semester 1, 2025

You must complete and submit the Landscape Architecture selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Pathway applicants

Graduates of RMIT's Bachelor of Landscape Architectural Design with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 are exempted from submitting the selection task and guaranteed entry into this program. Once you submit your application, it will be progressed automatically within ten working days. Any selection task reminders that you may receive are not applicable to you.  

Selection task dates

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
All applicants 28 February 2025

Selection task requirements

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Your folio should comprise 5-10 projects of your own work, that include both final representations as well as development or process work.

Submission instructions

You must collate your work into a single PDF (maximum 25 pages). You may upload your PDF (maximum 10MB) or supply a URL if it's hosted online (provide the username and password if applicable).

You must record and submit a brief video addressing the questions in Parts 1 and 2 below:

Part 1 (maximum time: 1 minute)
  • Introduce yourself and tell us what you are doing currently (studying, working, travelling). 
  • Outline why you wish to study this program and your current interests in landscape architecture.
  • You may also wish to include why you want to pursue a career in landscape architecture and what has informed your interests. 
Part 2 (maximum time: 3 minutes) 

Describe the projects in your folio:

  • Explain the ideas and concepts behind the projects. Please include any references or projects which have influenced your design ideas. 
  • Explain how you have developed these ideas into your final submission. Please include any references or projects which have influenced your design ideas.
Video upload requirements

Videos must be no longer than 4 minutes and you must present yourself on camera during the interview. For reasons of equity, we will stop watching the video after 4 minutes so please adhere to the time limit. 

We will not be scoring or judging the recording quality of the video so you can record this video using your phone or other suitable devices.

You must upload your video to an external site (e.g. Dropbox, WeTransfer, Google Drive, WeChat, Weibo, Youku or Tudou). If you apply an expiry period on your video, please ensure that it is at least 6 months from the date of submission. If you have a username and/or password to your video link, please provide them.

If you have used AI to generate images or texts in your selection task submission, please describe where this occurs and what AI tools were used (maximum 100 words).

Semester 2, 2025

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early 2025.

You must complete and submit the Landscape Architecture selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Pathway applicants

Graduates of RMIT's Bachelor of Landscape Architectural Design with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 are exempted from submitting the selection task and guaranteed entry into this program. Once you submit your application, it will be progressed automatically within ten working days. Any selection task reminders that you may receive are not applicable to you.  

Selection task dates

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
All applications TBC

Selection task requirements

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early 2025.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed:

  • the Bachelor of Landscape Architectural Design from RMIT University with a grade point average of 2.5 (out of 4.0) or above.

    OR
  • an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in architecture or landscape architecture or a related design field. You will be selected competitively based on your grades and folio.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Selection task: You are required to submit a completed selection task along with your application.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Pathways

If you have successfully completed the BP256 Bachelor of Landscape Architectural Design at RMIT with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.5 (out of 4.0), you will be exempted from submitting the selection task and guaranteed entry into this master's program.

Students with a GPA lower than 2.5 may still apply and will be assessed on merit based on their selection task. 

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Graduates of the Master of Landscape Architecture are eligible to apply for accreditation from the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), the profession's accrediting body.

Upon successful completion of this masters degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.

When you successfully complete the Bachelor of Landscape Architectural Design and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5, you are guaranteed entry to the Master of Landscape Architecture.

If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to submit a folio. You will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fees

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Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).

Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.

2025 indicative fees

Commonwealth supported places

  • 2025 Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$4,627 to AU$16,992*. 

Full-fee places

  • AU$40,320 (2025 annual fee)*.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

  • You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
  • For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.

How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package. 

The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2025. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.

Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.

You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2025 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2025
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,627 per standard year
$578 per standard (12 credit point) course
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology $9,314 per standard year
$1,164 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $13,241 per standard year
$1,655 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $16,992 per standard year
$2,124 per standard (12 credit point) course

Student Learning Entitlement

On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

  • The SLE allows students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
  • Your total SLE amount will be reduced in accordance with your overall study load in a CSP. 
  • Once you have utilised all your SLE, you can not longer study in a CSP.

For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.

If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

Materials fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

HECS-HELP Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

This program is approved for income support.

You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.

If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

Material fees

You may also be required to purchase other items related to this course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

While we make every effort to ensure that materials fees are kept to a minimum and are competitive with alternative suppliers, material fees are not compulsory and you may choose to purchase these items independently.

For more information about material and other fees for this course, see additional fees and expenses.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information