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Landscape architect

Landscape architects work with other professions such as architects, planners and ecologists to create new outdoor spaces to benefit people and wildlife

Training, qualifications and skills Undergraduate degree on a Landscape Institute accredited course or similar subject followed by a master’s degree. Learn on the job through the Landscape Institute’s Pathway to Chartership scheme to earn professional status. Look for openings for landscape apprenticeships, which are available for school leavers as well as career changers.
Career progression opportunities Graduate landscape architect, chartered landscape architect, senior, associate, assistant director then director or partner. Managing teams in a private practice, working for a local authority, academic research, tutoring, landscape management, specialising in landscape for planning
Useful links Choose Landscape
Landscape Institute
Landscape Architects Association
The Association of Professional Landscapers

Focus on: Landscape architect

Amy Collinson
A private landscape architect practice
Full time, salary up to £40k

Everyone knows that architects design buildings. A landscape architect can design everything outside of that! It can range from a garden design or a small-scale landscape; selecting plants, hard materials and furniture for that space, to creating a masterplan, concepts and parameters for large-scale development.

My interest in natural processes and design mean I can be creative as well as challenged technically. My work has to look good, but it also has to function well for nature and for the people who will use the space.

At all times landscape archtects work towards ensuring that natural elements and social use are considered in the built environment.

Focus on: Landscape Architect

Carolyn Willitts
CW Studio
Full time, salary up to £65k+
Manchester

I used to be a theatre designer and changed career by taking a landscape architecture two-year conversion course when I was in my late 20s. There are some similarities between the two disciplines, although living plants and the weather make this more interesting!

Contact a landscape architect practice and ask if you can visit to have a look at what people are working on and what it feels like. If you can get to do a few days’ work experience – even better!

My favourite part of the job is having ideas, drawing and making models to test if the ideas will work, then collaborating with a wider design team including architects, engineers, ecologists and other professionals who will help develop the idea and make it even better. I have my own practice, CW Studio, so I also manage a brilliant team whose talents include planting design, technical design and creating beautiful graphics.

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.