Engineering

Master of Landscape Architecture

The Master of Landscape Architecture is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in landscape design, planning, and environmental management. The programme combines landscape architecture theory with studio-based design practice and environmental planning.

Core areas include landscape design theory, site planning, environmental planning, landscape ecology, urban design, planting design, landscape technology, research methods, and thesis or design project. Students engage with both design theory and practical studio-based design projects.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology through its Department of Landscape Architecture in the School of Architecture and Building Sciences. JKUAT is the oldest institution offering landscape architecture in Kenya and the East and Central African region.

Students develop competencies in landscape design, site planning, environmental planning, landscape ecology, urban design, planting design, landscape technology, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, studio design projects, and thesis or design project.

JKUAT charges KES 357,000 for the two-year programme (approximately KES 178,500/year). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Environmental Planning, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant experience. The programme is delivered through full-time and part-time modes.

Graduates pursue careers as landscape architects, urban designers, environmental planners, landscape consultants, project managers, and lecturers in landscape architecture.

Skills Required

Landscape Design and Planning
Site Planning and Analysis
Environmental Planning
Landscape Ecology
Urban Design
Planting Design and Horticulture
Landscape Technology and Construction
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Research Methods in Landscape Architecture
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Landscape Design Theory
Site Planning and Analysis
Environmental Planning
Landscape Ecology
Urban Design
Planting Design
Landscape Technology and Construction
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Research Methods in Landscape Architecture
Thesis or Design Project

Certifications

AAK Landscape Architect Registration
IFLA Professional Membership

Specializations

Urban Landscape Design

Focuses on designing urban landscapes, covering urban parks, public spaces, streetscapes, and urban green infrastructure.

Environmental Planning

Examines environmental planning for landscapes, covering environmental assessment, land use planning, and conservation planning.

Landscape Conservation

Covers conservation of natural and cultural landscapes, covering heritage landscapes, protected areas, and restoration ecology.

Urban Design

Focuses on urban design practice, covering public realm design, urban form, and creating quality urban spaces.

Sustainable Landscape Design

Examines sustainable landscape design, covering green infrastructure, sustainable drainage, water-sensitive design, and climate-responsive landscapes.

Landscape Planning and Management

Covers planning and managing landscapes at scale, covering regional planning, watershed management, and landscape management.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 178,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Landscape Design Theory
Site Planning and Analysis
Environmental Planning
Landscape Ecology
Urban Design
Planting Design
Landscape Technology and Construction
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Research Methods in Landscape Architecture
Thesis or Design Project

Modules

12 in the programme

Landscape Design Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines landscape design principles, landscape aesthetics, design process, and contemporary landscape design theory.
Site Planning and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers site analysis techniques, site planning, and designing for specific site conditions and contexts.
Environmental Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental assessment, land use planning, conservation planning, and environmental planning for landscapes.
Research Methods in Landscape Architecture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting landscape architecture research, preparing students for their thesis or design project.
Landscape Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines ecological principles, landscape patterns, ecological processes, and applying ecology to landscape design and planning.
Urban Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers public realm design, urban form, urban spaces, and creating quality urban environments through landscape design.
Planting Design and Horticulture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines plant selection, planting design principles, horticultural practices, and creating planting schemes for landscapes.
Landscape Technology and Construction
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers landscape construction, materials, drainage systems, technical specifications, and landscape implementation.
GIS and Spatial Analysis for Landscape
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines GIS applications in landscape architecture, spatial analysis, mapping, and using GIS for landscape planning and design.
Sustainable Landscape Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers green infrastructure, sustainable drainage, water-sensitive design, climate-responsive landscapes, and sustainable landscape practices.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal or design project brief, including design, literature review, methodology, and presentation.
Research Thesis or Design Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis or comprehensive design project on a landscape architecture topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and design skills, assessed through written submission, design portfolio, and oral defence.

Specialisations

Urban Landscape Design
Focuses on designing urban landscapes, covering urban parks, public spaces, streetscapes, and urban green infrastructure.
Environmental Planning
Examines environmental planning for landscapes, covering environmental assessment, land use planning, and conservation planning.
Landscape Conservation
Covers conservation of natural and cultural landscapes, covering heritage landscapes, protected areas, and restoration ecology.
Urban Design
Focuses on urban design practice, covering public realm design, urban form, and creating quality urban spaces.
Sustainable Landscape Design
Examines sustainable landscape design, covering green infrastructure, sustainable drainage, water-sensitive design, and climate-responsive landscapes.
Landscape Planning and Management
Covers planning and managing landscapes at scale, covering regional planning, watershed management, and landscape management.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Landscape Architecture programme combines lectures, studio design sessions, site visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover landscape design theory, site planning, environmental planning, and landscape ecology. Landscape design theory sessions examine design principles, landscape aesthetics, and design process. Site planning sessions cover site analysis, site planning, and designing for specific site conditions. Environmental planning sessions examine environmental assessment, land use planning, and conservation planning. Landscape ecology sessions cover ecological principles, landscape patterns, and ecological design. Urban design sessions examine public realm design, urban form, and creating quality urban spaces. Planting design sessions cover plant selection, planting design, and horticultural principles. Landscape technology sessions cover landscape construction, materials, drainage, and technical specifications. GIS sessions cover spatial analysis, mapping, and using GIS for landscape planning. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis or design project, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Studio design sessions provide hands-on experience with real landscape design projects, applying theory to real sites and challenges. Site visits provide practical exposure to landscape projects, environmental sites, and urban spaces. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in landscape architecture and presenting design work. Guest lectures from practising landscape architects and planners provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis or design project on a landscape architecture topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

JKUAT is the oldest and leading institution for landscape architecture in Kenya and East Africa, with established expertise and resources.
Growing urbanisation and environmental challenges create increasing demand for landscape architects in Kenya.
Programme combines design theory with practical studio-based design projects, providing hands-on experience with real sites.
Graduates are eligible for AAK landscape architect registration, enhancing professional credibility.

Against it

Only JKUAT offers this programme in Kenya, limiting institutional choice.
Programme requires design portfolio skills and studio work which may be challenging for students without design background.
Landscape architecture is a relatively niche field in Kenya, with limited awareness of career opportunities.
Studio-based learning requires significant time commitment for design projects beyond regular lectures.

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

Public179k to 179k

179k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology179k at University of Nairobi

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 178,500/yr verified (357,000/2yr). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. AAK may provide professional development support for landscape architects. IFLA and other international bodies may provide professional development support. Some organisations may sponsor employees for landscape architecture postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
AAK Professional Development
IFLA Professional Development

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
AAK Professional Development
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Architectural Association of Kenya supports professional development for landscape architects and architects in Kenya.
IFLA Professional Development
GrantKsh 150,000
International Federation of Landscape Architects provides professional development support and grants for landscape architects globally.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Environmental Planning, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience may be considered. Contact the university for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering landscape design theory, environmental planning, landscape ecology, and landscape technology.
Studio Design Project Assessment
Practical50% of the mark
Practical assessment through studio design projects, site planning exercises, design portfolios, and demonstrating landscape design skills.
Research Thesis or Design Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or comprehensive design project on a landscape architecture topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and design skills, assessed through written submission, design portfolio, and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (public) offers Master of Landscape Architecture through its Department of Landscape Architecture, the oldest in Kenya and East Africa. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate landscape architecture training. Graduates are eligible for AAK landscape architect registration.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (public) offers Master of Landscape Architecture through its Department of Landscape Architecture, the oldest in Kenya and East Africa. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate landscape architecture training. Graduates are eligible for AAK landscape architect registration.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Landscape Architect
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Designs and plans landscapes for developments, parks, urban spaces, and environmental projects, overseeing design, planning, and project implementation.
Urban Designer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Designs urban spaces and public realm, overseeing urban design projects, public space design, and urban planning.
Environmental Planner
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Plans environmental projects and landscapes, overseeing environmental assessment, land use planning, and conservation planning.
Landscape Consultant
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 600,000
Consults on landscape projects, providing advisory services, design consulting, and support for development projects.
Landscape Project Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages landscape projects, overseeing project design, implementation, contractor management, and project delivery.
Landscape Architecture Lecturer
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches landscape architecture at university or college level, overseeing instruction, studio teaching, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes