Global Change & Landscape Design

Global climate change is altering everything—everywhere in the world. We are faced with necessary tasks relating to the design and build of our surrounding environments. The landscape and its functions, its ecosystem services and its appearance, will inevitably change. As the energy transition accelerates, the landscape is developing into a global powerhouse. Simultaneously, the landscape, with its soils, peatlands, wetlands, forests and oceans, must be assisted in its capacity as a major global carbon sink.



The landscape will become a global infrastructure element with decentralized renewable energy production; the corresponding power lines, substations, battery parks, biomass production, pipelines, transport routes, etc. All of this must be carefully thought out and designed. This is the only way to ensure attractive, sustainable future growth.



Ireland is the only country within the European Union (EU) whose first language is English, and the UCD degree in Landscape Architecture is the only one in Ireland that offers access to the title of Landscape Architect. The Master’s programme in Global Change Landscape Design offers professional experience as an embedded programme component in the third trimester, providing a unique path to career entry after graduation.



Timetable: In the first year of study, the part-time student participates only in the two studios (15 ECTS credits each). These studios are taught every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2 pm to 5 pm; attendance is mandatory. 2.) In the second year of study, the part-time student completes the other modules of the Master's program.



Course Content & Structure

90 credits taught masters

60 credits of taught modules

30 credits internship



Core Modules Include:

Research-By-Design Studios A and B

Landscape Research

Geodesign For Urban Futures

Water, Soil & Vegetation

Fieldwork

Live Learning



This programme offers students the opportunity to complete a 1-trimester work placement, where students’ technical and business knowledge can be applied and developed in a dynamic real-world setting. This creates a seamless transition between master’s studies and subsequent professional life, which is very attractive for students and future employers.



Face to Face

The program is taught face-to-face and takes place primarily in the inspiring and interactive environment of two design studios. This form of conveying creative content offers the opportunity for transdisciplinary work and network building that can last a lifetime.

Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:

REQUIRED CORE MODULES: The following modules are CORE for the programme and must be completed within two years. Students should select their modules in consultation with the Programme Director.



ARCT41310 Geo-design for Urban Futures Autumn 5

LARC40680 Research-By-Design Studio A Autumn 15

LARC40690 Water, Soil & Vegetation Autumn 5

LARC40650 Landscape Research Spring 5

LARC40660 Fieldwork Spring 5

LARC40670 Research-By-Design Studio B Spring 15

LARC40640 Internship (Work Placement) Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:

OPTION MODULES - 2 Required: All Students MUST select 10 credits of Option Modules in consultation with the Programme Director. Access to individual Option Modules may be dependent on prior learning and should be agreed with the the relevant Module Coordinator and the Programme Director.



ARCT41210 Architecture in a Climate Emergency Autumn 5

ARCT41260 Climate Carbon Cities Change Autumn 5

BSEN40720 Carbon & Sustainability Autumn 5

ARCT41240 Urban Resilience and Ethics Spring 5

ENVP40020 European Environmental Policy Spring 5

An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ Level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in a relevant programme including Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Design, Interior Design or any other Creative Studies in a cognate discipline may apply.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



Portfolio submission is essential (We ask that you submit a portfolio of your own creative work. We are interested in any form of creative work, but also in any type of independent project work that could inspire others. File size maximum 100 MB. The format must be PDF.)



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

2 years part-time.

Delivery: On Campus

T408 MSc in Global Change & Landscape Design - Master of Science - Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Graduates of the program literally have the world at their feet. Global change creates needs and opportunities that are only now fully unfolding. Medium and large offices and global consulting firms are looking for landscape specialists who can understand, assess and design the future landscape. This is not just limited to the world’s land masses, but also includes the oceans, where large offshore industries (e.g. wind power) are emerging.



Specifically, graduates will have a skill set affording opportunities to work in a variety of industries and companies, including:



- Landscape Architecture/Urban Planning firms SWA Group, ARUP, AECOM, Hargreaves Associates

- Environmental Consultancy firms MKO, ERM, Tetra Tech, Jacobs

- Real Estate Development companies Remcoll, LDA, Lendlease

- Government agencies European Environment Agency (EEA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

- Non-Profit Organizations European Landscape Convention (ELC), Irish Environmental Network, Heritage Council of Ireland