The Master of Landscape Architecture programme has a duration of 4 semesters – 120 ECTS credits. Admission to the programme is based on a three year bachelor degree from an institution on the same level as AHO.

The study emphasizes urban landscape architecture within a studio based curriculum focused on design. The programme offers studio courses in landscape architecture and urbanism, as well as elective courses in history, techniques and theory, which in combination forms a professional education and gives the title Master of Landscape Architecture.

Each semester students participate in one studio course of 24 ECTS credits and one elective course of 6 ECTS credits. The courses in Landscape architecture are compulsory.

The scope of the diploma assignment is 36 ECTS credits. The diploma project that is conducted during the last semester of the programme yields 30 credits. In addition, the student must take a compulsory 6-credit elective on programme work during the semester prior to the diploma assignment.

A semester consists of courses of varying credits and duration. The aims and structure of each course can be found in the course descriptions.

Full time study:

The master’s programmes are full-time studies that require attendance and devoted work in all lectures, seminars, workshops etc. Foundation level studies:

Studio course:

A form of teaching based on project work in a studio, which integrates teaching academic knowledge and skills as part of the project work. Studio teaching is an intensive form of teaching that entails a high exchange of knowledge between the teacher and student. The teaching will be either in Norwegian, Norwegian and English or in English only.

Elective course:

The elective courses are courses meant to supplement the Studio courses either as practical courses or as theoretical courses. All elective courses are available to all students.

Description of the competence to be acquired from an academic offering and the assessment criteria can be found in the course descriptions in the Course catalogue. The Regulations governing Master’s Degree Programmes at AHO state the terms concerning the hand in of supplementary material, extensions due to illness or maternity leave and concerning continuation/new exam when failed a written or oral exam.

Studio courses

Ends with an assessment of the students’ project work by appointed examiners, where at least one is an external examiner. Studio courses are marked Pass/Fail . Assessment is based on attendance, semester progression and the quality of submitted material. When evaluating project work, criteria will be adjusted to the number of semesters completed.

Elective courses

Assessment is based on attendance, study progression and the quality of submitted material. Elective courses are marked Pass/Fail .

Diploma

See the Regulations governing Master’s Degree Programmes at AHO

Upon graduation, all students receive a Diploma Supplement attached to their Diploma and transcript of records.

Each semester, students are asked to hand in an individual evaluation of the teaching of an elective in relation to the elective's learning goals. The evaluation may also cover the learning environment and administrative services. The evaluation is returned electronically and anonymously, and covers all courses; both at the foundation level, studio courses, elective courses and the diploma work. Semester evaluations are completed by students, examiners and academic staff, according to specific guidelines. The evaluation is held in order to assure the general quality of the education at AHO. The institutes, the board of education and the general academic environment are responsible for handling any problems or shortcomings that emerge in the evaluation process. A summary of the results of the evaluation, and the action taken, can be found under Kvalitetssystem (Norwegian only).

The Master of Landscape architecture programme has a tradition to arrange an excursion/study trip each semester. The average duration is 1-2 weeks. The expenses are covered by the students themselves. Excursions are not compulsory, but AHO recommends their students to take part.

Unfortunately, AHO does not have the resources to supply students with all relevant materials, software and hardware. Consequently, students are therefore expected to finance this themselves.