Landscape Architect

Landscape architects are sometimes known as landscape designers.

They design, plan, create and manage landscapes in areas such as public parks, areas around public buildings, reclaimed industrial sites, new roads and motorways, and housing estates.

Landscape architects: meet with clients to discuss their requirements; survey sites to identify existing plant and animal life and natural resources; get the views of local residents, businesses and other people who use the site; present design ideas to clients; co-ordinate plans with other professionals such as architects, civil engineers and town planners;

They also: use computer-aided design (CAD) packages to draw up options for clients to choose from; write reports and make environmental impact assessments; give evidence to public enquiries if necessary; monitor the progress of projects; draw up contracts and oversee the tendering process for contractors. 

Starting salaries can be between £17,000 and around £20,000 a year.

Experienced chartered landscape architects can earn from £25,000 to over £40,000.

You can start a career as a landscape architect in two ways. You can either get a degree in landscape architecture accredited by the Landscape Institute (LI), the professional body for chartered landscape architects, or do an accredited postgraduate course if you already have a degree in a related subject, such as architecture, horticulture or botany.

To get on to a degree you will usually need two A levels or equivalent (subjects such as art, biology, botany and geography are particularly relevant), and GCSEs including English and either maths or science.

You may also be accepted on some courses with an Access to Higher Education qualification, and colleges and universities will usually take into account any relevant work experience you have.

When you have completed an accredited course you will be eligible for associate membership of  LI. This means you can apply for relevant jobs and work towards chartered LI membership.