External summary

Background to the discipline and subject, what it is and its place in human endeavor.

Landscape Architecture student and employee mobility within Europe has been a recognisable phenomenon for some years. This trend is growing. The recent ratification of the European Landscape Convention by several EU Governments requires member states to draft and implement a range of policies regarding the definition, protection and enhancement of sustainable landscapes. Landscape Architecture is the principal profession tasked with the delivery of the convention's requirements. The integrative nature of landscape architecture practice places it at the forefront of disciplines seeking holistic solutions to major issues concerning the physical and social transformation of land, space and environment.    Landscape Architectural education, research and policy-making have reached a point where further disciplinary development requires the injection of vision, resources and trans-national collaboration to progress contemporary agendas.

What is special about the Edinburgh experience in this degree?

The University has four partner schools in the network, namely, The Ecole Nationale Superieure du Paysage, Versailles, Leibniz Universitat, Hannover, Academie Van Bouwkunst, Amsterdam and The Escola T??cnica d'Arquitectura de Barcelona. All four partners have been selected due to their unparalleled reputations in the delivery of Landscape Architectural education.  The European Masters unites our significant expertise and through reflecting on the authority and skills of each partner we aim to open enquiry as to the challenges that face the profession and the way that we address contemporary challenges through a curricular response.  As such, this programme will deliver a 240 credit Masters in Landscape Architecture with a blended curriculum.  Students will spend the first and fourth semesters at the University of Edinburgh. They will spend the second and third semesters at two of the partner schools.  A Summer Workshop will allow all students to come together in one location. An additional common course will be taught through the mechanisms of E-learning units, lectures, and web-based communications

Educational aims of programme

The European Masters in Landscape Architecture aims to deliver an innovative pedagogic system increasing connections between the Universities, practice and government.  In the anticipated programme students will spend 2 out of 4 semesters in two of the other participating schools and join a common summer workshop that will stimulate thinking about the future of the profession.  ICT will aid the network in developing and structuring the programme, incentivising collaboration and momentum.  It is our collective intention to build a new body of EU landscape policy and disseminate knowledge

The long term aims of the collaborative Masters programme are as follows:

• To lead on the creation of a transferrable Landscape Architectural curriculum in Europe
• To encourage the enrolment and participation of advanced European Landscape Architectural students
• To increase student and academic mobility and international know-how in a global world market
• To establish an excellent and identifiable international network at the forefront of applied Landscape Architectural education to deliver a new generation of Landscape Architects
• To transfer knowledge at an EU level through the EMILA web-site, E-learning units, trans-national mobility, and International Symposiums.
• To explore how knowledge outcomes could lead to a future interaction with society for the profession of Landscape Architecture
• To increase the degree of transparency and compatibility between higher education and advanced vocational education qualifications gained in Europe
• To improve the quality and increase the volume of cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises
• To move towards a pan-European accreditation for the programme

A defining objective of the programme is that EMILA graduates and their awarding universities will find themselves at the heart of European and world landscape policy.

The completed curriculum will be initiated through exploratory learning, which examines how intellectual outcomes could lead to a stronger interaction between society and the profession of Landscape Architecture. 

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

EMiLA will equip graduates with knowledge and understanding in the following areas, and enable them to synthesise this knowledge and apply it to the practical problems and projects that they will address throughout their careers:

• The physical and natural systems and processes, and the complex range of social, economic and cultural factors that interact to shape the landscape;
• The theories and concepts underlying the practice of landscape architecture;
• The range of techniques and materials used in landscape architecture;
• The professional, legal, institutional, economic and administrative contexts in which landscape architecture is practised;
• The social, cultural and environmental values and ethical issues relevant to practise as a landscape architect; and
• The interface between the different areas of the landscape profession and between landscape architecture and other professions.
  

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

EMiLA graduates will have these skills and abilities in research and enquiry:

• Interpret a brief or develop one, which deals with both familiar and unfamiliar problems;
• Locate, analyse, synthesise and apply appropriate data and information to support development of solutions;
• Generate, develop and evaluate creative, innovative and appropriate solutions and proposals;
• Use relevant techniques and materials to specify and implement creative designs;
• Structure and articulate self-generated, advanced and coherent design solutions at a range of scales and in a range of contexts.
• Explore a complex, self-generated research problem through argument and the application of appropriate research methods and readings.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Students are able to acquire knowledge and understanding of the way in which ideas and concepts are developed, using a range of established methods.  They will be able to:

• Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in professional and equivalent activities;
• Take responsibility for their own work;
• Take responsibility for a significant range of resources;
• Demonstrate leadership and/or initiative and make an identifiable contribution to change and development;
• Practise in ways which draw on critical reflection and own and others??? roles and responsibilities; Deal with complex ethical and professional issues and make informed judgements on issues not addressed by current professional or ethical codes or practices.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

EMiLA graduates will be able to use a range of advanced and specialised skills in the following areas:

• Communicate, using appropriate methods, to range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise;
• Communicate with peers, more senior colleagues and specialists;
• Use a wide range of software to support and enhance work at this level; and
• Undertake critical evaluations of a wide range of numerical and graphical data.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

EMiLA will equip graduates with the following skills and abilities in personal effectiveness;

• Demonstrate problem-solving skills, judgement and ability to take the initiative, and make appropriate decisions in complex and often contradictory aspects of landscape architecture comprehensive and accessible;
• Communicate effectively with others, using appropriate modelling, graphic, verbal and written techniques;
• Communicate the rationale of a design proposal through oral presentation and using graphics and models, in the context of design practice;
• Demonstrate an ability to interpret quantitative data and then communicate key issues in an engaging and accessible way; and
• Communicate effectively with fellow practitioners in an interdisciplinary, collaborative context.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

EMiLA graduates will be able to use a wide range of the professional skills and practices associated with landscape architecture.  In addition, they will become more fluent in one or more European languages, following their placement at the partner institutes.  More specifically, they will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and apply a comprehensive range of visual, oral and written media to test, analyse, critically appraise and explain design proposals;
• Present proposals using various media;
• Use digital and electronic communication techniques, word processing and graphical applications, and be equipped to develop these skills further, as required.
• Demonstrate skills in the use and application of environmental simulation packages to inform the design of landscapes;
• Display understanding in the collection of research information and techniques in communicating the proper attribution of others??? work.

Programme structure and features

SQCF credit points and levels for each constituent course and each year of the programme        

Annex 1 shows the student pathway through Landscape Architecture, and how EMiLA fits with the current undergraduate pathway (MA Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture).

Entry requirements, including requirements for second-year entry where applicable

ESALA, Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh) students can progress to the first year of the European Masters programme at the end of Year 3 of the MA Landscape Architecture programme.  This is complementary to the existing MA and Masters programme in Landscape Architecture.  Annex 1 illustrates the pathways available to students in Landscape Architecture.  Applicants are made via the normal postgraduate application process.

Each student???s developing professional skills must be demonstrated by an overall performance which averages 65% across Year 3 of the MA in Landscape Architecture. 

At the time of application, candidates must select the two countries in which they wish to study, and demonstrate a commitment to the language requirements of their host countries.  Attainment of the first language (placement 1) must be achieved by the end of Semester 1 and evidence must be submitted to the post graduate office before the end of the teaching period.  Evidence of language attainment for the second placement period must be submitted to the post graduate office by the 31st of July.  Reaching the necessary language attainment levels is critical to progression through the degree and students will be given an exit award if they fail to meet the necessary levels.

In addition to the academic and language requirements, applicants will be assessed on:

• A 500-word motivation statement, outlining why the student wants to apply to EMILA, and how they will benefit from it professionally; and
• A portfolio of design work compiled by the student and to be drawn from Years 1- 3 of the MA Landscape Architecture programme.

Incoming students from the other partners must have English language skills which comply with Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).  This will be demonstrated by a total score of 7.0 in IELTS (with at least 6.5 in each module), or equivalent in another acceptable test. 

Progression requirements

Students will re-sit failed assessments, due to the professional and vocational nature requirements of the profession.  Student re-sits will fully comply with the Taught Assessments Regulations, with particular regard to Regulation 21. 

If a student fails any assessments during their placement, they will not be required to repeat the assessment at the ???away??? institution, but they would have to re-submit their assignment at Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh).

An explanation of the articulation of learning outcomes and assessment practices

Assessment is based on two existing 40-credit design courses, Design: Strategy and Intervention and Design: Individual Portfolio, plus the Reflective Practice and Precedent Study courses at the home institution during Semesters 1 and 4 of the 2 year programme.  The credits attributed to the reflective practice module increase in Semester 2 for UoE home students in order for them to reflect upon the outcomes of the Summer Workshop. 120 credits will be undertaken during semesters 2 and 3 at two other European partner institutions. Assessment of Student Learning is based on their response to course specific Learning Outcomes.

Modes of study

Full-time.

Exit awards available at the completion of specific stages of the programme

Post-graduate Diploma or Certificate in Landscape Architecture, at the end of Year 1.

How the programme maps onto the University???s strategic plan

EMILA is an innovative, pan-European programme, which maps onto the University???s mission statement of delivering an outstanding educational portfolio.  By educating the next generation of landscape architects, it produces graduates who are fully equipped to achieve the highest personal and professional standards in landscape architecture. 

EMILA maps onto excellence in learning and teaching by ensuring that student and employer feedback inform the evolution of EMILA.  It will provide a full and positive student experience, by enabling students to study at renowned European schools of landscape architecture, and be inspired by their surroundings.  Conversely, students at the partner institutes can study at Edinburgh and draw inspiration from its architecture and city landscape.  This also promotes the strategic theme of advancing internationalisation.

Sustainability

• UoE Students can enter EMiLA following successful completion of Year 3 of the MA programme in Landscape Architecture. Students can enter EMiLA with an appropriate undergraduate or masters degree in Landscape Architecture or a very closely allied discipline (such as architectural or environmental design)

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Projects will expose students to future environmental problems by unraveling a series of open-ended problems using integrated teaching methods. Students participating in EMILA will work on real and complex problems following clear lines of enquiry to support and enhance their own professional futures.  Through the programme it is our ultimate aim to create a body of design professionals, capable of operating between the realms of ???upstream??? research and policy formation and ???downstream??? realisation through design.

Assessment methods and strategies

Students??? knowledge and understanding within EMiLA will be assessed using course specific learning outcomes for a combination of design projects, presentations, e-learning and written work.

Career opportunities

Graduates of EMiLA are highly desirable in a global jobs market for Landscape Architects. Our current graduates have found high-level jobs working at the critical thresholds of the profession.  EMILA brings a dimension of added value through collaboration between participating institutions that is impossible to achieve in isolation.

Other items

EMiLA received full Accreditation by the Landscape Institute in April 2018.