The Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Studies degree [BA(LS)] gives students the knowledge and technical skills to create sustainable design solutions to complex development issues, through respect for the environment, culture and society, and the intelligent use of materials and technologies. 
BA(LS) courses include practical and theoretical studies in landscape design, history, theory, ecology, landscape sciences, planting, sustainability, community, construction technology, visual communication and digital technology. Landscape design studio projects are based on topical issues, and students explore diverse approaches to a wide range of environmental and development challenges, looking to create places that have identity, vibrancy and diversity. 
Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in overseas field trips, community workshops, and exchange programmes with overseas institutions. 

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) is an advanced, research-based degree in landscape architecture. The program provides students with the fundamental design knowledge and skills for professional practice in landscape architecture.

Students engage in a wide range of studies covering the history of the discipline, contemporary theories in landscape architecture, biophysical systems, landscape materials and their technologies, and landscape design. The program is intensive and ‘world class’. In addition to project-based design studios and cutting-edge technical studies, students are expected to learn advanced skills in visual communication and digital technology, and engage contemporary discourses relating to the discipline and adjacent fields. Students are expected to write and research at advanced standards of academic excellence.

Topical issues addressed during the program currently include issues such as urbanism, human settlements, community and heritage, public space, green infrastructure, impacts of climate change, environmental remediation, conservation, and sustainable development.

Students are exposed to diverse approaches to a broad range of environmental and contextual challenges. Innovation and quality in design are strongly promoted. Students are required to carry out research projects and participate in field trips, overseas study tours, joint studios and building exercises.

Professional Accreditation
The MLA program is accredited by the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA). The HKILA has reciprocal membership rights with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA).

The Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Design [MSc(SED)] is offered as both a one-year full-time and two-year part-time programme. Globally increasing environmental awareness and concern, fast urbanisation and technological development have together resulted in an urgent need and opportunity to rethink how we could design, construct and manage our cities in a more efficient, effective and low-cost way. The MSc(SED) programme is therefore designed to train students and professionals to advance their knowledge of smart city management, city resilience, and sustainable and environmental design, and equip them with the practical analytical skills.

The pedagogical approach will combine lecture-based teaching, build technical and theoretical knowledge and design thinking approaches, with problem-based workshops which will provide practical experience in applying knowledge and techniques to achieve sustainable solutions. Courses will be purposefully social and look to leverage the diverse disciplinary backgrounds of students to develop cross-disciplinary perspectives and to use interactive group structures to facilitate co-construction of knowledge and peer regulated learning.

The programme is unique in that it is taught by the best international team of teachers from top universities and research institutions around the world. All of our teachers are internationally renowned scientists and professors in their field of study.

Professional Accreditation

The MSc(SED) programme is applying for the ‘specialist’ accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), so later our graduates could become members of RTPI under the Associate Route.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture (PDLA) is a new one-year degree program that introduces the fundamental skills and knowledge of landscape architecture to students who do not yet have training in the design fields. The PDLA is intended as a preparatory degree that leads graduates towards more advanced studies in the field, such as the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program at HKU.

Enlarge the image of PDLALandscape Architecture—a discipline rooted in the modern history of urbanization and territorial transformation—has emerged in recent decades as a leader in addressing the complex social, ecological, and environmental challenges the world faces today. And as the field evolves to become more collaborative, transdisciplinary and global, it will depend on a body of practitioners with diverse backgrounds and experiences to shape the discipline of the future. In Hong Kong, the PDLA is a first step in achieving this goal. We welcome applicants from all fields who are highly-motivated critical thinkers with a passion for improving our natural, built and social environments.

The PDLA curriculum is organized around a sequence of design studios introducing the tools and methodologies of landscape design within a highly-personalized, one-on-one learning environment. Complementing this foundation are courses covering history and theory, visual communication, landscape technology. Students in the program will complete 66 credits in a single year with Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The PDLA is taught by a core academic staff who bring their innovative, topical research and award-winning teaching practices to the curriculum, while an exciting group of professional instructors and guest critics from the region support and enrich the program.

The MPhil degree is a postgraduate programme that focuses on research work.  The programme is available in all faculties and schools/departments, allowing candidates to select their field of study from a wide spectrum of subjects and specialise their research in distinct fields on offer. Students can register on either a full-time (2-year) or part-time (3-year) basis.  The programme offers an introductory experience to research studies and is suitable for those who wish to later pursue a PhD degree or become professionals in their specialised area.

MPhil students will receive ongoing advice and guidance from a dedicated academic or a team of academics in conducting research and thesis writing.  The programme also provides students with solid academic training and diverse educational experiences.  Coursework has been incorporated into the curriculum, introducing students to research techniques and also discipline-specific knowledge.  Students may take part in different workshops, conferences, and competitions to further develop their research skills and perspectives.  The award of the MPhil degree is based on satisfactorily completing courses, submitting a thesis that displays some originality and demonstrates a sound understanding of the field of study and the appropriate research methods, and satisfying the examiners in an oral examination, unless waived, (and any other examination if required) in matters relevant to the subject of the thesis.

Selected full-time MPhil students who have attained good academic qualifications will be provided financial assistance in the form of Postgraduate Scholarships.  Various scholarships and conference/travel support are also available to enrich students’ learning experience and promote professional and personal development.

The PhD degree is a highly recognised advanced research postgraduate programme.  It is available in both full-time and part-time mode.  Candidates can select their field of study from a wide spectrum of subjects as the programme is available in all faculties and schools/departments.  The PhD programme is intellectually demanding, requiring strong analytical skills, critical thinking ability, and language proficiency for undertaking independent research to produce original ideas with significant impact.  It aims to cultivate competent researchers who would like to develop their career in research, academia, and other professional areas.  The 4-year PhD programme is available for candidates who have obtained a good bachelor’s degree with honours and/or a taught master’s degree, while the 3-year PhD programme is offered to those with a research master’s degree.

PhD study focuses on conducting independent research, under the supervision of a dedicated academic or a team of academics, leading to the final submission of a thesis.  In addition, the 4-year PhD programme has a compulsory coursework component, which encompasses advanced specialist knowledge and language and research skills to enhance students’ abilities in different stages of their research studies and prepare them for research work and thesis writing.  The award of the PhD degree is based on satisfactorily completing courses, where prescribed, submitting a thesis that should be an original contribution to knowledge and worthy of publication, and satisfying the examiners in an oral examination (and any other examination if required) in matters relevant to the subject of the thesis.

Selected full-time PhD students who have attained good academic qualifications will be provided financial assistance in the form of Postgraduate Scholarships.  Various scholarships, fellowships, and conference/travel support are also available to enrich students’ learning experience and promote professional and personal development.