Arts in Landscape Design
You’ll develop the cultural awareness and critical thinking skills you need to analyze and produce a broad range of discourse in a full spectrum of careers — and to make a difference in whatever you do.
- 2 Years / Onsite
- Intakes: Jan, Apr, Jun, Oct
Overview
Arts in Landscape Design at Auckland Royal Academy prepares graduates to design outdoor environments that are ecologically sound, culturally meaningful, and aesthetically compelling. The programme combines horticultural science, environmental planning, landscape history, and design studio practice, with special attention to New Zealand's unique ecosystems, indigenous plant species, and Māori relationships with land.
Design projects span residential gardens, public parks, urban streetscapes, and ecological restoration sites, with students engaging directly with Auckland Council planners, landscape architecture firms, and community groups. Field work across New Zealand's diverse natural landscapes — from volcanic Auckland to coastal and forest environments — informs your design sensibility and deepens your understanding of place-based design practice.
Career Opportunities
Graduates pursue careers as landscape designers, urban planners, environmental consultants, and horticulturalists. Many work with local government on public realm improvement, with property developers on large-scale residential projects, or with conservation organisations on ecological restoration work across New Zealand's extraordinary range of natural environments.
Program Learning Outcomes
Design landscape environments that balance aesthetic vision, ecological function, and cultural significance, applying knowledge of New Zealand's native flora, climate, and soil conditions to create sustainable outdoor spaces.
Produce professional landscape design documentation including site analysis, concept plans, planting schedules, and construction drawings that meet the standards required for resource consent applications under New Zealand planning law.
Engage with tangata whenua perspectives on land, awa, and moana to ensure landscape design practice is culturally responsive and reflects the principles of kaitiakitanga and environmental stewardship.
Programme
| Semester 1 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Landscape Design | 4 | LAND 101 |
| Foundations & Theory | 4 | LAND 110 |
| Research Methods | 3 | LAND 120 |
| Semester 2 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Landscape Design I | 4 | LAND 201 |
| Professional Practice | 3 | LAND 210 |
| Industry Context NZ | 4 | LAND 220 |
| Semester 3 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Landscape Design II | 4 | LAND 301 |
| Critical Perspectives | 3 | LAND 310 |
| Ethics & Standards | 3 | LAND 320 |
| Semester 4 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Landscape Design | 4 | LAND 401 |
| Specialisation Elective | 3 | LAND 410 |
| Landscape Design Capstone Project | 4 | LAND 490 |
| Total for the entire period of study | 11 |
Contact us
3/60 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
How to Apply?
- You Apply
Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online application tool only takes 10 minutes to complete.
- We Connect
After you submit your application, an admissions representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.
- You Get Ready
Once you’ve completed your application and connected with an admissions representative, you’re ready to create your schedule.