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Landscape architect Green Job

Landscape architects plan, design and manage the landscapes we live and work in.

Annual Salary

£27,000 to £45,000

Average UK salary in 2024 was £37,430
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

35 to 40 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; occasionally

4.8%
Future employment

There will be 4.8% more Landscape architect jobs in 2029.

Day to day tasks

As a landscape architect, you could:

  • work with clients to hear their ideas on what they want
  • survey sites with digital technology, and analyse data to form plans
  • involve local communities in the design process
  • create plans by hand and with computer aided design (CAD) software
  • choose construction materials, street furniture and plants for the space
  • write bid proposals and present plans to clients
  • advise on the environmental impact of design projects
  • lead a team of professionals during work and monitor progress

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in an office, at a client's business or visit sites.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
University

You could do a degree that is recognised by the Landscape Institute.

Subjects include:

  • landscape architecture
  • garden design
  • landscape design and technology
  • landscape or urban planning
  • environmental conservation

Work experience

You might find it useful to get some work experience in landscape architecture to help with your course application. Find out ways to get work experience.

Postgraduate course

If you already have a degree in a related subject like architecture, horticulture, geography or ecology, you might be able to do a postgraduate conversion course that is accredited by the Landscape Institute.

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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship

You could begin your training to become a landscape architect by applying to do a 2-year Landscape Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, with a design company or local authority.

From there, you could go on to do further training to degree level and eventually qualify as a professional landscape architect.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could become a member of the Landscape Institute for professional development opportunities and to make contacts in the industry.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a landscape architect from the Landscape Institute.

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With experience you could:become a senior landscape architect or manager; become a partner in a private practice; set up your own landscape practice; do a teaching qualification and become a higher education lecturer in landscape architecture at a university

How does this job help to address the impacts of climate change and protect wildlife and nature in the West of England?

Landscapers Architects are needed to design new low carbon landscapes and help improve the quality and connectivity of existing green spaces, as well as helping to create new spaces for nature and wildlife across the West of England.

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at local schools or colleges

  • Maths, Art & Design, Geography, Environmental Science A-levels
  • T-Level Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction at City of Bristol College

Click here to find a local provider

Apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers

  • Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative
  • Level 3 Landscape Technician
  • Level 5 Horticulture and Technical Landscape Manager
  • Level 6 Architectural Assistant Apprenticeship

Click here to search for a local apprenticeship

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at local higher education providers

Click here to search for other university courses

For more information on the different routes you can take to get into working as a landscape architect, take a look at the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Local employers 

  • Turner and Townsend
  • Ove Arup and Partners 

As a landscape architect you could work for an architect firm in the West of England that is involved in new sustainable building developments locally or for the regional office of a larger organisation working on national and regional projects.

For more local employment opportunities see the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.

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Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • excellent written communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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