MSc in Global Change Landscape Design

The MSc Global Change Landscape Design program at UCD represents a unique opportunity for students to become future leaders in the field of landscape design. With its innovative curriculum, world-class faculty, and emphasis on practical experience, this program prepares students to tackle the complex challenges of global change with confidence and expertise. If you are passionate about making a difference in the world and shaping the landscapes of tomorrow, then this program is for you.

Global [climate] change is altering everything—everywhere in the world. We are faced with necessary challenges relating to the design and engineering of our surrounding environments and landscape. The landscape and its functions, its ecosystem services and its appearance, will inevitably change. As climate change adaptation accelerates, e.g. through the global energy transition away from fossil fuels and the associated creation of new industries, the urban, peri-urban and rural environment will become a large-scale powerhouse. At the same time, the underlying landscape with its structures, soils, peatlands, wetlands, forests and oceans must be supported in its function as an important global carbon sink. The landscape as such will become a global infrastructure element that will accommodate new industries, new settlements and decentralized production of renewable energy. Large and massive elements will dominate the landscape, such as wind farms, solar parks, battery parks, power lines, substations, biomass production, transport routes, new industrial zones, new residential areas, etc. All of this must be carefully considered and intelligently designed. This is the only way to ensure sustainable future development that enables functioning ecosystems and affluent societies to coexist.

Ireland is the only country within the European Union (EU) whose first language is English, and the UCD degree in Landscape Architecture is the only one in Ireland that offers access to the title of Landscape Architect. The Master’s programme in Global Change Landscape Design offers professional experience as an embedded programme component in the third trimester, providing a unique path to career entry after graduation.

Course Content & Structure

• 90 credits taught masters
  • 60 credits of taught modules
  • 30 credits internship

Core Modules Include:

• Research-By-Design Studios A and B
• Landscape Research
• Geodesign For Urban Futures
• Water, Soil & Vegetation
• Fieldwork

Live Learning

This programme offers students the opportunity to complete a 1-trimester work placement, where students’ technical and business knowledge can be applied and developed in a dynamic real-world setting. This creates a seamless transition between master’s studies and subsequent professional life, which is very attractive for students and future employers.

Face to Face

The program is taught face-to-face and takes place primarily in the inspiring and interactive environment of two design studios. This form of conveying creative content offers the opportunity for transdisciplinary work and network building that can last a lifetime.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Duolingo Test of English (DET)