Landscape architect
Landscape architects plan, design, create and manage the landscapes we live and work in.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £20,000 - £45,000
Typical hours (a week): 35 - 40
Related videos on a landscape architect
How to become a landscape architect
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
University
You could get a degree or postgraduate qualification, which is recognised by the Landscape Institute. Relevant degree subjects include:
- landscape architecture
- garden design
- landscape design and technology
- landscape planning
- environmental conservation
It can help with your course application if you have some work experience in landscape architecture. This will also help you to decide if this is the career for you. The Landscape Institute has some useful information on how to get relevant work experience.
If you already have a degree in a related subject, such as architecture, horticulture or botany, you may be able to take a Landscape Institute accredited postgraduate course. The Landscape Institute has hints and tips, which you may find useful.
University (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
College
Doing a college course could help you to start out training towards this career. Relevant courses include:
- Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Landscape Construction
- Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture
College (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More info
Professional and industry bodies You could become a member of the Landscape Institute to increase your professional standing. Further information You'll find out more about how to train as a landscape architect from the Landscape Institute.
What it takes
Skills & Knowledge
You'll need:
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of building and construction
- customer service skills
- knowledge of English language
- maths knowledge
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you'll do
Day to day
Your day-to-day duties might include:
- meeting with clients to discuss their needs
- surveying sites to look at existing plant and animal life, and natural resources
- getting the views of local residents, businesses and other people who use the site
- using CAD packages to draw up ideas for clients to choose from
- presenting your design ideas to clients
- drawing up contracts and managing the tendering process for contractors
- writing reports and environmental impact assessments
- giving evidence to public enquiries
- monitoring the progress of projects
Working environment
You could work at a client's business or at a client's home. Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often. You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
Career path & progression
With experience, you could move on to a supervisory or management position, become a partner in a private practice, or set up your own practice. You could also take a teaching qualification and become a lecturer in landscape architecture at a university.
