Landscape architect

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.

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

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

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 Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

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.

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

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

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.