MA in Landscape Architecture and Garden Design

1. The name of the master’s degree programme: Landscape Architecture and Garden Design

2. Level of qualification obtainable in the master's programme and designation of professional qualification on the diploma

• level of qualification: master’s degree (magister, master; abbreviated: MSc)
• professional qualification: Landscape Architecture and Garden Design

3. Field of study: Art

4. Degrees accepted as prerequisites for admission to master's programmes:

4.1. Full credit value can be considered: undergraduate degree in Landscape Management and Garden Construction Engineering.

4.2. The following may also be considered upon completion of the credits specified in Section 9.3: in the field of technical training, the undergraduate degree programme in architectural engineering; in the field of arts training, the undergraduate degree programme in architecture.

4.3. In addition, the credits specified in Section 9.3 may be considered for bachelor's and master's degree programmes, as well as programmes under Act LXXX of 1993 on National Higher Education, which are accepted by the credit transfer committee of the higher education institution based on a comparison of the knowledge serving as the basis for determining the credits.

5. The length of the programme: 4 semesters

6. Number of credits required to obtain a master's degree: 120 credits

• Orientation of the programme: balanced (40-60 percents)
• credit value assigned to the thesis: 30 credits
• Minimum credit value for continuous practical work placements outside the institution: 5 credits
• Minimum credit value for optional subjects: 6 credits

7. Classification of fields of study according to the uniform classification system for vocational training areas: 581/0731

8. The aim of the training and professional competences of the master’s degree

The aim of the training is to train landscape architects who have creative, formal and visual skills and artistic abilities, and who are prepared to shape the image of settlements and landscapes, their facilities and open spaces (public parks, public gardens, historical gardens, parks, institutional and villa gardens) in a way that serves their function, shaping them with artistic quality, creating landscape and garden artworks, and preparing such plans and managing their implementation. They are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral programmes.

8.1. Professional competencies to be acquired

8.1.1. Landscape Architect and Garden Designer’s

a) knowledge

• Possesses general and specialized knowledge of the processes and concepts underlying landscape architecture and garden design.
• Is familiar with the multidisciplinary tools, planning and implementation methods, rules, and related characteristics of landscape architecture in Hungary and internationally.
• Can place the field in a broader context, connect it to related fields and branches of art, and recognize the system of relationships and influences that exist within the broader context.
• Knows the specific research and source collection methods of landscape architecture, abstraction techniques, and ways of developing the practical implications of theoretical issues.
• Has specialized knowledge of the main theories, principles, stylistic periods and trends of landscape architecture and garden art, as well as the subfields of its most important works.
• Has in-depth knowledge of the basic data, materials, techniques and circumstances underlying creative activities in landscape architecture.
• Knows the connections between landscape architecture and garden art and other branches of art and fields of expertise.
• Has in-depth knowledge of landscape architecture as a profession and as part of the cultural institutional system.
• Knows and understands the legal environment of landscape architecture, the ethical rules and copyright laws applicable to landscape architecture.
• Knows the specifics of team and project work and has leadership skills. Possesses up-to-date knowledge of management theory and applied psychology applicable to the field of landscape architecture.

b) competencies

• Able to identify professional problems in landscape architecture and horticulture, approach them in a multifaceted, interdisciplinary manner, and explore and formulate the detailed theoretical and practical background necessary for their solution.
• Able to apply the acquired general and specific principles, rules, connections, and procedures of natural and social sciences and arts in solving problems arising in the field of landscape architecture and garden design.
• Basic skills include creativity, advanced spatial perception, and formative ability.
• Able to develop new approaches, awareness, and broad insight during creative practice.
• Is able to use the technical, material, and informational resources that form the basis of their activities in a creative manner.
• Possesses all the routine technical skills—drawing skills, representation techniques, presentation skills—that enable them to realize their independent artistic ideas in an individual manner and with professional confidence.
• Possesses refined critical judgment.
• Is capable of effective communication in activities carried out independently or in collaboration with practitioners of other art forms.

c) attitudes

• Strives to participate creatively in the creation of independent landscape architecture and garden art works.
• Actively seeks new knowledge, methods, and creative, dynamic implementation opportunities.
• Approaches landscape architecture styles, historical and contemporary works with a mature critical sense.
• Recognizes, identifies, and reflects on social demands related to their own artistic activities.
• Actively seeks collaboration with other branches of art and other fields. Is socially sensitive and committed in choosing the themes of their works and in creating them.
• Is motivated to continuously expand their knowledge, learn about new professional achievements and works, apply new artistic and technical possibilities, and develop and apply an ecological approach.
• Is open, proactive, and empathetic.
• Is critical and demanding of themselves.
• Forms opinions based on professional grounds and represented them consistently.
• Accepts the differing opinions of others if they are sufficiently supported by professional reasons.

d) autonomy and responsibility

• Feels responsible for the development of landscape architecture's role in social advancement.
• In addition to working independently and taking responsibility, they are capable of a high degree of cooperation, managing and coordinating teamwork, participating in team projects that bring together different fields of expertise, and collaborating with related professions and social organizations.
• They develop their own professional and artistic concept, which they implement independently and professionally. Works autonomously and responsibly in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary activities.
• Socially sensitive and committed to selecting the target audience for their creations and in delivering them to that audience.
• Responsibly undertakes to comply with and enforce the ethical principles of design and research.

9. Characteristics of the master’s training

9.1. Professional characteristics

The disciplines and fields of study that make up the programme and lead to professional qualification:

• Art (contemporary art, drawing and visual communication, garden art studio, garden art style periods, outdoor planning and design, historical gardens, landscape restoration, shaping and modeling) 45-55 credits;
• technical sciences (settlement ecology and sustainability, architectural space theory and contemporary trends, settlement value protection, urban planning, application of CAD systems, landscape protection and landscaping) 20-30 credits;
• Agricultural science (spatial composition plant application) 5-10 credits;
• Social science (settlement and environmental sociology) 2-5 credits.

9.2. The requirements of the professional practice

The professional internship is a four-week design office internship supervised by a senior landscape architect. During the internship, students must participate in solving object design tasks.

9.3. Minimum requirements for admission to the master's degree programme for holders of the certificate specified in section 4.2. and 4.3.

The minimum number of credits required for admission to a master's programme

• at least 20 credits in natural sciences (botany, soil science, climatology, dendrology, plant geography);
• at least 20 credits in technical sciences (drawing and design, descriptive geometry, materials science, computer science, structural engineering, architecture).