Engineering

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture is a four-year programme that prepares students for landscape design, environmental planning and outdoor space management. Students study landscape design, site planning, planting design, environmental planning and GIS. The programme combines creative design with environmental science for sustainable outdoor spaces.

Students develop competencies in landscape design, site analysis, planting design, environmental planning, CAD and project management. They learn to design landscapes, plan sites, select plants and manage landscape projects. The programme covers design theory, horticulture, environmental science, CAD and professional practice.

In Kenya, landscape architecture is a growing field with demand from urban development, real estate, tourism and environmental conservation. Kenya's urbanisation and green city initiatives create opportunities. Graduates find roles in landscape design firms, architectural firms, real estate developers, county governments and conservation organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, design studio sessions, fieldwork, industrial attachment and design projects. Students create landscape designs, use CAD software, conduct site analysis and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year design project.

Graduates pursue careers as landscape architects, landscape designers, environmental planners, site planners and landscape consultants. Some work for design firms or developers. Others join county governments or conservation organisations.

This programme is ideal for individuals with creativity, environmental awareness and interest in outdoor design.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 306,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Landscape Design and Theory
Site Planning and Analysis
Planting Design and Horticulture
Environmental Planning
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Landscape Construction
Urban Design
GIS for Landscape Planning
Sustainable Landscape Design
Professional Practice

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Landscape Architecture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Landscape Architecture: Fundamentals of landscape architecture, history and design principles Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Design Drawing and Graphics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Design Drawing and Graphics: Technical drawing, sketching and graphic communication for landscape Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Planting Design and Horticulture
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Planting Design and Horticulture: Plant identification, selection, horticulture and planting design Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Site Planning and Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Site Planning and Analysis: Site analysis, site planning and environmental site assessment Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
AutoCAD, SketchUp and 3D modelling for landscape design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Landscape Design Studio
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Landscape design projects from concept to detailed design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Landscape Construction
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Landscape construction methods, materials and detailing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Environmental Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Planning: Environmental planning, land use and environmental assessment Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Urban Design
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Urban design principles, public spaces and urban landscape. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
GIS for Landscape Planning
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
GIS applications in landscape planning and spatial analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Sustainable Landscape Design
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Sustainable Landscape Design: Sustainable design, green infrastructure and ecological design Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Final Year Design Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Comprehensive landscape architecture design project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, co...

Specialisations

Commercial Landscape
Specialization in Commercial Landscape, preparing graduates for careers such as landscape-architect.
Environmental Planning
Specialization in Environmental Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as landscape-architect.
Sustainable Design
Specialization in Sustainable Design, preparing graduates for careers such as landscape-architect. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Conservation Landscape
Specialization in Conservation Landscape, preparing graduates for careers such as landscape-architect.
Urban Landscape Design
Specialization in Urban Landscape Design, preparing graduates for careers such as landscape-architect.
Residential Landscape
Specialization in Residential Landscape, preparing graduates for careers such as landscape-architect.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on landscape design or horticulture with afternoon design studio sessions or fieldwork. Students may create landscape designs, use CAD software, conduct site analysis, select plants or work on landscape projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Creative career combining design and environmental science
Growing demand from urbanisation and real estate
Opportunity to create sustainable outdoor spaces
Diverse career paths in design, planning and consulting

Against it

Building a professional reputation takes time
Design software and equipment can be expensive
Some projects may be seasonal
Limited number of universities offering this programme

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public306k to 306k

306k at JKUAT306k at JKUAT

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT only, Ksh 306K/yr per KUCCPS. No private university offers this programme.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some design firms and developers offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Bursary Fund
BursaryKenyan
Student members of AAK pursuing architecture or built-environment programmes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English or Kiswahili
C+
Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C+
Biology or Geography or any Group II
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Design Studio and Project Work
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Site Planner
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Plans and designs sites for development
Landscape Designer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs landscapes for various projects
Environmental Planner
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Plans environmental and land use projects
Landscape Architect
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs outdoor spaces for residential, commercial and public projects
Landscape Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides landscape design consulting

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as landscape architects, landscape designers, environmental planners, site planners and landscape consultants in landscape design firms, architectural firms, real estate developers, county governments and conservation organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

QGIS
Design
Google Earth Engine
Analytics
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
ETABS
Structural analysis
MS Project
Project management

Certifications

Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Membership

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Landscape architecture is just about gardening
Landscape architecture involves design, planning, environmental science and project management.
There are no jobs in landscape architecture
Urbanisation and real estate development create demand for landscape professionals.
Landscape architecture is not a serious profession
Landscape architecture requires technical knowledge, creativity and professional registration.
Landscape architecture is the same as architecture
Landscape architecture focuses on outdoor spaces while architecture covers buildings.