BA (Hons) Landscape Architecture Bachelor's degree at Birmingham City University

Looking at the sources of inspiration within the international subject of Landscape Architecture, the module provides a broad introduction for you to begin to engage with the dynamics of a structured design process. Focus on each of the core principles will allow you to develop overall structural understanding of the subject, as well as the fundamental academic and design skill sets that will be required through the course and your future career, be that in Landscape Architecture, or a related f

Developing a core transferable graphical skill set for Landscape Architecture and aligned, wider designed-environment industries. The module introduces industry standard methods and building on these to promote exploration of innovation and self-derived techniques in representing architectural space and site characteristics. Approaches introduced, will consider the benefits of physical and digital production methods, two dimensional and three dimensional representation, and frameworks for self-g

Exploring the contextual framework within which the contemporary Landscape Architect practices: students will research and explore the scale, scope, and timeline of human impact on the Earth's landscape and the impact of environmental factors on human development and systems.

Setting out a fundamental understanding of the broad design palette available to the Landscape Architect, including the key considerations for specifying and sourcing materials, systems and ecologies. Focus will be on curating the design fabric, aiming to emphasise character and function: through explorations in visual composition, colour, texture and form; to uncover deeper understandings on the emotive effects, cultural-historical references of association and the fundamental practical require

Moving up through scale, from the human perspective of 1:1, up to the common Landscape Architecture scales of 1:1000/1:1250, you will look at composition of increasingly large landscape components. As the scale range widens you observe the increasing considerations coming into play: physical and psychological interactions between the human and physical environment; a study of mass and void, of textural, sound, smell and colour qualities.

Building on an understanding of materiality and planting design, particularly from the previous year one modules, Inspiration, Components and Formation, this module develops your understanding of fully constructible, detail design and material specification, integrated with planting design, layout and specification. The outputs will be research led and focus on deepening and refining your understanding of how structure, technologies and living systems are integrated within real-world application

This module has a focus on developing a refined and deeper understanding of key socio-cultural/historical and artistic influences on contemporary Landscape Architecture theory and practice. You will look at major themes and their key proponents through specialised study areas and group debate. You will be encouraged to develop critical thinking in the review of a variety of theoretical positions, cultural beliefs and physical processes and historical context. The aim is to explore and debate on

The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place or a live case study, and to critically reflect upon your learning and future options in that context. You will normally be expected to arrange your own placement, with support from academic staff and BCU Careers. Typically, the placement duration is 1 or 2 weeks. This should be achieved in one block where possible. It is also possible to fulfil this module throu

The Urban Design module consists of a design project for redevelopment of a pivotal civic space network, with a focus on making dynamic, lively, places for people. You will develop proposals for a layered vision to reinvigorate and enliven a 'sense of place' across a broad area. This will be supported with a strategy for the area and a masterplan design/redesign of one key area, with multiple designed interventions for improving local identity and use of the place.

Designed Ecologies is an exploration of multi-layered systems, incorporating and integrating social and ecological components within the design of space. You will undertake a design project working from a strategic level of analysis and networking of habitats and green spaces to detail design for enhancing specific ecology and visitor experience whilst considering an overall sustainable environmental design approach.

The module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create an interdisciplinary project with students from complementary disciplines, or with academic staff. Collaboration is a vital employability skill within the Creative Industries and this module allows you to develop these skills, making use of University facilities and with the support of academic staff. Within this module framework, several kinds of collaborative opportunities are

This module provides an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills to an external, professional brief. The brief will be set by an external client/ agency, in consultation with your supervisor, and it could be a 'real life' problem to be solved, or a simulation. It is an opportunity for you to engage in a professional manner with an aspect of your subject area, which contributes to the development of employability skills within the supportive infrastructure of the University. Where a

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able t

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practice-based portfolio.

Building from the Praxis approach utilised within the College, this module completes the conceptual thread of modules which connect a Professional practice suite through from Skills and Praxis, developing and integrating industry aligned skills and approaches, preparing you for entry into competitive professional contexts after study. A fundamental aspect of the module is to increase your self-reliance and confidence in communicative approaches and contextual understanding of their application.

You will start by defining a project site at strategic scale, which aligns to a sophisticated set of aims and identified contextual and/or theoretical issues (such as that explored in the Major Project module) and design potentials. Critical analysis will be required to consider and decide on a suitable site for study. Further to this you will be expected to explore site conditions and design ideas to create an integrated conceptual design brief and vision the specific chosen site. The 'concept

Through the production of a masterplan, students will refine a set of complex physical and cultural site specific issues, to define creative and sophisticated solutions. This will demonstrate the broad range of technical and communicative skills, as well as a breadth and depth of understanding in