Landscape Architecture PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Landscape Architecture is the process and art of designing, creating and managing the outdoor spaces of human settlements. PhDs in this area typically explore important research subjects such as improving access to the outdoors, sustainability and climate change mitigation.

What’s it like to do a PhD in Landscape Architecture?

A PhD in Landscape Architecture is a research-based degree that prepares students for careers in academia, research, and advanced professional practice. Programmes emphasise theoretical and scientific inquiry, methodological rigour and critical thinking.

As a subject, Landscape Architecture encompasses the planning and design of public parks and gardens, squares, plazas, streets, and highways, as well as private gardens, landscapes, and golf courses. A landscape architect typically works with a team of engineers, architects, and planners to create a comprehensive and efficient plan for an outdoor space.

Research topics for a PhD in Landscape Architecture could include:

• Biodiversity
• Digital representations of landscapes
• Green and blue infrastructure
• History of landscape architecture
• Improving access to the outdoors
• Place-keeping
• Rewilding projects
• The effect of access to nature on wellbeing
• Urban ecology
• Urban flood defences
• Urban green spaces

You’ll receive training in a range of research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a typical PhD in Landscape Architecture usually involve a Bachelors and a Masters degree in a related subject. You’ll also need to submit a compelling research proposal detailing your study plans. You may also need some professional experience, depending on the programme.

PhD in Landscape Architecture funding options

In the UK, PhDs in Landscape Architecture are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), depending on the focus of your research. This funding will provide a tuition fee waiver and a living cost stipend. You may submit your own research proposal before being considered for funding, or apply for a project that already has funding attached.

It’s also possible to apply for a PhD loan to help with the costs of a doctorate in Landscape Architecture (although this can’t be combined with Research Council funding). Other options for financial support include university scholarships, graduate teaching assistantships and charities.

If you’re considering a part-time PhD in Landscape Architecture, it may also be worth asking your employer if they’re happy to sponsor you.

PhD in Landscape Architecture careers

After completing a PhD in Landscape Architecture, there are many exciting career opportunities available to you. Some of the most common career paths for landscape architects include working for a city or town planning department, working for a landscape architecture or engineering firm, or even starting your own landscape architecture firm.

No matter what career you decide to pursue, having a PhD in Landscape Architecture will give you the skills and knowledge you need to make a positive impact on the landscape. You will be able to design and plan landscapes that are both beautiful and functional, and you will also have the ability to think critically about the role of landscape architecture in society.