Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

International partner universities in Armenia (Yerevan State University, National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia, Green Lane NGO), Austria (University of Salzburg), Czech Republic (J.E. Purkyne University in Usti nab Labem), Indonesia (Universitas Islam Indonesia), Republic of Malta (University of Malta), Spain (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Valladolid), and the United States (Utah State University)

Courses are held in English (100%).

The international two-year full-time accredited Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) programme is a design-based professional programme designed for applicants with academic and professional achievements with the potential for professional leadership. The programme benefits from its unique relationship with the Master's programmes in architecture, nature conservation and other related fields at the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, as well as with the world-famous "Bauhaus" - a revolutionary movement in architecture, art, and design.

Since its conception in 1998, the Master of Landscape Architecture programme has aimed to provide an intellectual base of knowledge in the field of landscape architecture and to enable students to create sustainable solutions to current landscape architectural challenges. The new curriculum conceived in 2014 develops this focus further to emphasise design and the European context. Current and innovative landscape and urban design of landscape architecture constitute highlights of the programme.

Co-operations with other leading universities in landscape architecture and with landscape professionals enable the MLA programme to offer real-time projects on current issues in Germany, Europe and abroad to extend the base of knowledge of the professional field beyond academic theories.

The MLA programme is designed to impart knowledge and skills which are essential for landscape professionals – as an educator, researcher and/or practitioner. The major emphasis on design and the underlying emphasis on the European context pervade the various modules in the programme. Competencies in the use of multi-media as well as soft skills equip the students to face developments and challenges in the field of landscape architecture.

Start of studies is 1 October.

The first and second semesters are held on-site on campus. In the third semester, students move away from campus to pursue their internship, and in the fourth semester, they individually write their Master's theses.

15 March for the following winter semester

An additional expense of 100–300 EUR per semester, to be borne by the students, is to be expected for excursion costs.

The standard period of study (including the examination period) is four semesters. The programme always begins in the winter semester at the beginning of October.

The course of study includes theoretical and practice-oriented courses in the form of modular lectures and a Master's thesis to be completed within 20 weeks and defended in a colloquium.

The first and second semesters provide an intensive programme of study encompassing the following modules:

First Semester:

• Atelier Urban Design
• Design of Urban Spaces
• Landscape and Environmental Planning
• Basics of Planting Design
• Graphic Design and Presentation
• GIS and Remote Sensing

Optional-Compulsory Subjects

• Architecture and Design (Site and Master Planning, Theory of Architecture)
• Project Management & Communication Skills

Additional Subjects

• English for Landscape Architecture
• German

Second Semester:

• Atelier Landscape Design
• History and Theory of Landscape Architecture
• Materials and Constructions in Landscape Architecture
• Sustainable Planning and Design
• EU Environmental Law
• Planting Design in Urban Spaces
• Thesis Seminar

Optional-Compulsory Subjects

• Advanced GIS and Multimedia Applications
• Sociology and Freehand Sketching

Additional Subjects

• English for Landscape Architecture
• German

The course contents are taught in an application-oriented manner on a scientific basis. The teaching and learning methods used include studios, seminars, exercises, internships and excursions.

Third Semester:

In the third semester of the standard period of study, a 20-week internship must be completed, which accounts for 25 credits. The internship may be interrupted only once. However, it should be noted that one of these two parts must include a period of at least eight successive weeks.

Fourth Semester:

In the fourth semester, the students write the Master's thesis. The colloquium for the Master's thesis is the pinnacle of the course and represents its completion.

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The MLA programme aims at providing students with cognitive and design knowledge that is applicable not only at the European level but also at an international level. The students also work in teams with other international students, which also enriches their understanding of landscape architecture/architecture and design practices in different parts of the world.

In the third semester of the standard period of study, a 20-week internship must be completed which accounts for 25 credits. The internship may be interrupted only once. However, it should be noted that one of these two parts must include a period of at least eight successive weeks.

Upon completion of the internship, students have to submit a report according to the internship regulations.

Students can seek the guidance of their programme advisers during the application phase.

850 EUR

An additional expense of 100–300 EUR per semester, to be borne by the students, is to be expected for excursion costs.

96 EUR semester fee

(This covers a contribution to the Student Services and Student Union, but no public transport semester ticket is included. Please see the university website for updated information.)

Approx. 1,000 EUR per month to cover living expenses (including accommodation, excluding health insurance costs, excursions)
Cheap rail fares / student discount available for trains

Evidence of qualification for the study course must be provided in accordance with the Higher Education Act of the State of Saxony-Anhalt.

The admission requirement is the presentation of one of the national or international university degrees (Diploma, Magister, Baccalaureus, Master's or Bachelor's degree) in Landscape Architecture with a duration of at least three years of regular study.

Applicants with a university degree according to aforementioned criteria in architecture, urban and regional planning as well as in a related course of study may be admitted. As a basis for admission, an aptitude test is held in which the final grade achieved in the previous course of study and the quality of the design work to be submitted will be considered.

For this purpose, a design portfolio has to be submitted. This design portfolio must include five works designed by the candidate. If the candidate has previous work experience, two of these design works should be based on his or her occupational experience.

The MLA offers online courses to get the necessary credits if applicants lack the required knowledge in Landscape Architecture.

The candidate's proficiency in spoken and written English is a condition for admission. Such proficiency has to be proven if the presented final certificate was not acquired from an English-speaking college or university. In this case, TOEFL test results of at least 85 from 120 (iBT, Internet-based test) and 6.5 from 9 (IELTS) will be the standard. Alternatively, proof of proficiency can be provided by adequate language certificates in conjunction with an assessment test administered by the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.

15 March for the following winter semester

No

Non-EU students should be aware that student visas entail strict regulations regarding work. Local student jobs are open to international students, as are student tutor positions at Anhalt University (depending on qualifications and job availability).

Generally, there are two ways of finding a student apartment in Bernburg. You can request a spot in one of the residence halls or look for an apartment on the private market.

1. Residence halls: Accommodation near the campus is offered by the Studentenwerk Halle / Student Services. It is recommended that new students contact Studentenwerk Halle before coming to Bernburg. Please visit the website http://www.studentenwerk-halle.de. Only online applications are accepted, and they need to be submitted to: https://tl1host.eu/SWHAL/#home.

2. Private accommodation is usually outside of the Strenzfeld campus. You can use this platform to find a private room or apartment:
https://www.wg-gesucht.de/en/

Programme advisers will assist students in finding appropriate accommodation on the private market. For more detailed information, please consult our websites:

https://www.hs-anhalt.de/en/international.html
https://www.hs-anhalt.de/en/life/bernburg/housing.html

The MLA Network: Through our diverse collaborations and guest lectures, as well as through formats like internships, studio projects, and alumni work, opportunities exist to establish contacts in professional practice, enhancing your career prospects nationally and internationally.

Career Service: The Career Service of the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences offers our international students a wide range of tailor-made services for a successful career start in Germany. It supports students in designing a professional curriculum vitae, helps with further qualifications and helps to develop new career perspectives. The Career Service is also a point of contact for companies and institutions that are looking for highly qualified staff with an international background and want to establish contact with students at an early stage.

We offer regular online information sessions with students once they have been accepted into the programme, providing advice and assistance with visa processes, housing searches, and related matters.

Once the students arrive, we also offer support and advice, often in the form of one-on-one sessions, to support them with bureaucratic processes in Germany.

We arrange several workshops with the International Office during the orientation weeks in October and in the beginning, we sometimes have buddy tutors. A cultural preparation seminar is offered by Mrs Binay, and Dr Eckhardt is our specialist for student counselling.

The Anhalt University of Applied Sciences offers innovative teaching and research at an international level and with international study quality and quality of life at three sites in Bernburg, Dessau, and Köthen. 63 Bachelor's and Master's courses in seven departments prepare over 8,000 students for one thing above all: a successful start to their careers.

The Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is based in three beautiful cities – Köthen, Bernburg, and Dessau. The three locations in Bernburg, Dessau, and Köthen are cities with a high quality of life that offer both cultural and natural attractions – they are located in the German state with the highest density of UNESCO world heritage sites. Köthen is traditionally an important centre of culture and education; Bernburg focuses on the natural sciences; and Dessau is home to the Bauhaus, renowned worldwide for architecture and design.

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is proud to be part of these three attractive cities. Furthermore, it offers worldwide exchange semesters. We have partnerships with 86 universities in 42 countries.

The Campus
The MLA is located in Bernburg on a unique campus with the university and its residential buildings. The Bernburg-Strenzfeld campus stands out with a high quality of life and studies. With 50 hectares of experimental fields, state-of-the-art laboratories for the life sciences, and numerous beautiful herbaceous gardens, it offers space for experiments in teaching and applied research. The residence halls are located in the midst of parks and sports facilities. The departments of Agriculture, Ecotrophology and Landscape Development (Dept. 1) and Economics (Dept. 2) are located here. Well-equipped sports facilities and attractive leisure time activities offer the perfect way to relieve stress. Fifty-three professors supervise around 3,000 students.

The City
Bernburg, a city on both sides of the Saale, offers a high quality of life to around 35,000 people with affordable housing, good job opportunities, and many cultural and leisure time activities. The parks in the Saale valley can be reached by foot from the city centre. Students enjoy this as well as the Lower Saale Valley nature park. The city of hills and valleys also has an eventful history: Its landmark is a magnificent Renaissance castle. From this castle, the House of Ascania ruled over the sovereign Duchy of Anhalt-Bernburg. Since 2015, Bernburg has carried the Community of Protestant Church’s honorary title “Reformation City of Europe”.