BA (Hons) Urban Landscape Architecture

Key study themes for this course are:

• New approaches to place-making and bioregional design
• Urban design projects and developments from around the world
• Architectural, landscape and social history, theory and context
• Digital craft, fabrication and design methodologies
• Business, enterprise and regulatory frameworks
• Problem solving and critical thinking through iteration, testing and experimentation
• Climate knowledge and fundamentals for human-centred spaces

Integrated Foundation Year (optional) 

The Integrated Foundation Year is a chance to ask big questions, explore remarkable architectural projects, and develop the skills you need to thrive on one of our spatial design courses. You’ll be part of a dynamic group, learning and collaborating with peers across our built environment courses in a creative studio environment. 

Modules include: 

• Design, Media and Representation I
• Introduction to Professional Context: Spatial Practices
• Exploring: Culture and Context
• Design, Media and Representation II
• Introduction to Professional Context: Cross-Disciplinary Practices
• Influencing: Culture and Context 

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

First Year introduces you to the fundamentals of architectural representation through drawing and making. This year is hands-on and oriented around the design studio as a space to collect, create, and collaborate. Design is underpinned by histories and theories, technology and professional skills. 

Modules include: 

• Specialist Study 1: Structure
• Specialist Study 2: Introduction to Construction
• Specialist Study 3: Introduction to Landscape Architecture
• Architectural Theory and History
• Introduction to Professional and Business Practice

Year 2

Second year emphasises the design of urban contexts and the spaces between buildings through historical and theoretical understanding of cities. You will investigate how branded environments can help shape greater community participation and active spaces. Technology is integrated into design, with focus on sustainable strategies and architectural detail.   

Modules include: 

• Urbanism: History and Theory of the City
• Design Studio: Site and Ecology
• Design Studio: Urban and Social Ecologies
• Design Studio: Scales of Urbanism

Year 3

Your final year is the culmination of your research, experimentation and design development - and a chance to define your own direction within the field. Responding to the climate and nature crises, you’ll work on ambitious, industry-informed briefs that explore fresh approaches to planning the natural and built environment. 

You’ll develop a comprehensive urban landscape proposal that addresses real challenges: climate resilience, biodiversity, public space and social value. The year culminates in a resolved design proposal and a professional portfolio, ready for your transition into practice. 

Modules include: 

• Dissertation
• Major Project
• Negotiated Brief
• Preparing for Professional Practice 

Year 1

Your first year builds the foundations of architectural design through making, experimentation, and critical thinking. Studio projects explore themes of place, memory, structure, and environment, helping you develop skills in design, representation, and research. Alongside this, you will begin to understand the professional role of the architect, exploring issues of responsibility, identity, and practice while gaining the knowledge needed to shape meaningful and responsive architecture.

Modules may include: 

• Rave Beginnings
• Design Studio I: Thinking and Making Structures
• Professional Practice: Role, Identity and Responsibility
• Research Studio I: Place, Memory and Making
• Design Studio II: Site and Environment

Year 2

Your second year focuses on architecture within the urban environment, exploring how cities, public spaces, and communities are shaped through design. Through studio projects, research, and professional practice, you will investigate urban conditions, spatial relationships, and the social impact of architecture while developing sustainable and technically informed design approaches.

Modules may include: 

• Research Studio II: Mapping the City
• Design Studio III: Urban Voids
• Critical Reconstruction
• Design Studio IV: Ground Level
• Professional Practice: Live Practice

Year 3

Your final year centres on independent practice, allowing you to develop your own architectural approach through research, collaboration, and a major design project. Alongside professional and entrepreneurial skills, you will refine your ideas into a comprehensive portfolio that prepares you for future practice.

Modules include: 

• Integrated Collaborative Practice
• Research Studio III: Research by Practice
• Final Major Project I: Project Proposition
• Professional Practice: Situating your Practice
• Final Major Project II: Project Delivery

All modules are subject to revalidation.

A variety of learning and teaching methods are employed in this course. 

These include but are not limited to;

Briefings, lectures, project work, seminars, workshops, collaborative work, online activity, individual tutorials, group presentations, critiques, external visits, technical support and self-directed independent study.

The course is assessed entirely by coursework.

Study hours

• 1152 hours of face-to-face taught
• 3648 hours independent study learning

Course equipment and materials: £830–£1,325 | Books and study resources: £160–£350 | Visits and studio trips: £115–£240

Note on laptop costs: Students are strongly recommended to have a personal laptop suitable for design software. If a new purchase is needed, budget approximately £600–£1,200 as a one-off cost, ideally timed for the start of Year 1. Studio computers are available on campus for students who do not yet have their own device.

Our campus 

You'll study in a building designed to encourage collaboration between the different disciplines and practices within Ravensbourne, and to stimulate the work of innovative professionals and creative collaboration.

It features a variety of workspaces, including social and quiet areas, high-tech creative suites, technology hubs, design studios and more. 

Want to see where you'd be studying up close? When you book a guided building tour, you can see our fantastic facilities for yourself and find out more from one of our helpful student ambassadors.

Our local area

Ravensbourne is ideally connected - North Greenwich station is just a 2-minute walk away from our campus and offers amazing views from the Greenwich Peninsula.

These transport links offer an easy route to some of London's major business hubs, perfect for reaching possible placements or networking events with employers in the worlds of business or technology.  

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 96 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our portfolio process.

Interview and portfolio requirements

We are looking for creative, motivated individuals eager to pursue careers in architecture, urban design, interior architecture, and the interaction of space and built form. Our courses are designed to complement one another, giving you the flexibility to explore and find the path that fits you best.

This is just the beginning. We want to ensure these courses align with your aspirations and help you shape your unique professional identity. Tell us why you’re excited to be part of our vibrant, creative community.

Your portfolio should showcase your creative interests, whether in the form of drawings, sketches, design work, photography, video, fashion, sculpture, models, or other forms of expression - demonstrating your diverse creative journey and thought process.

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel.

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. 

Interview and portfolio requirements

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.