International Master's in Landscape Architecture (IMLA) Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences

Nürtingen-Geislingen University (HfWU), Germany

The language of instruction of the IMLA programme is English.

Additionally, German up to level A2 is taught as part of the programme in order to prepare the students for the professional internship / the needs of the labour market. The respective certificate (A2/CEFR) needs to be submitted by the end of the third semester.

The exacting and effective programme is divided into six practice-oriented subject areas. These subject areas include planning and design projects of various scales, understanding landscape as a system, project management and planning, utilisation of information technologies in planning and design, application of planning and design methods, and international planning and design. The programme is designed to provide high-quality training aligned with the demands of the labour market, thus giving students an opportunity to hone skills that will be in high demand in the future. The International Master's in Landscape Architecture (IMLA) programme has a strong practical focus. The Master's programme incorporates a number of countries worldwide and addresses cross-border issues. Projects will be conducted in various European countries.

The programme starts in March of the year following the application.
Students need to be present on-site.

1 October

However, it is strongly recommended for international applicants to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid any potential delays.

The IMLA programme is free of tuition for all residents of the European Union.
Non-EU citizens need to pay a tuition fee of 750 EUR per semester (at both locations of studies).

The International Master's in Landscape Architecture programme (known as the IMLA programme) is organised by two well-known universities:

• Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), Bavaria, Germany
• Nürtingen-Geislingen University (HfWU), Baden-Württemberg, Germany

The location of studies alternates each year:

Students joining the programme for the 2026 summer semester will study in Freising-Weihenstephan near Munich (application deadline: 1 October 2025).

Students joining the programme for the 2027 summer semester will study in Nürtingen near Stuttgart (application deadline: 1 October 2026).

The regular duration of studies is three semesters.

Structure of courses and schedule:

Semester one (summer semester):

• Landscape as System
• Project Management in Spatial Planning
• Work Methodology
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS I and GIS II)
• Planning and Design Methods in Landscape Architecture
• Landscape Education for Democracy
• Main project I

Semester two (winter semester):

• Planning Systems
• International Approach to Planning and Design
• Strategic Project Management
• Project Communication
• Digital Terrain Modelling and Visualisation
• IT Seminar
• Evaluation and Assessment
• Landscape Architecture Research
• Main project II

Semester three (summer semester):

• Elective: project or international seminar
• Master's thesis

Depending on each student's previous qualifications* an additional compulsory internship and an additional seminar will be required. In this case (*), the duration of studies will be four semesters.

*For students who did not study Landscape Architecture / Landscape Planning in their Bachelor's programme or for students entering the IMLA programme on a basis of less than three-and-a-half years of Bachelor's education (i.e. < 210 credits)

The IMLA programme has a strong practical focus. Much of its teaching in the area of management, marketing, and digital planning methods is provided by external specialists, and experts are invited to act as guest critics on projects. The faculty members are highly qualified in their areas of specialisation and also in didactics.

The IMLA curriculum overview can be found below (PDF).

The complete IMLA course handbook, including all module descriptions, is available on the IMLA website: https://www.imla-campus.eu/overview.

PDF Download

For students who did not study Landscape Architecture / Landscape Planning in their Bachelor's programme or for students entering the IMLA programme on a basis of less than three-and-a-half years of Bachelor's education (i.e. < 210 credits), a compulsory landscape architecture internship, e.g. in a design or planning office, will be required. The internship is included in the third semester, along with an additional elective (project or international seminar).

In this case, the duration of studies will be four semesters, and the Master's thesis as well as an additional international seminar will be postponed until the fourth semester.

Varied

The IMLA programme is free of tuition for all residents of the European Union.
Non-EU citizens need to pay a tuition fee of 750 EUR per semester (at both locations of studies).

Approx. 150 EUR per semester (varies depending on the location of studies)

When applying for a visa or residence permit, students need to prove they can afford to study and live in Germany. As of 2025, that is deemed proven if they have at least 992 EUR available per month.

Even for students who do not need a visa, we consider this amount appropriate to cover personal expenses.

Academic admission requirements include successful completion of a degree course in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Planning, Landscape Construction, Landscape Management, Architecture or Urban/Regional Planning at a German university or "Berufsakademie" (University of Cooperative Education) or a comparable Bachelor's degree course in any of the above subjects at a foreign university. The degree must show evidence of above-average examination results.

An English language certificate at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR (or equivalent) is required with the application.

There are current plans to change the language requirements to level C1. Please check the current information on the programme website before applying: https://www.imla-campus.eu/application.

There is no German language requirement at the time of entry into the course.

1 October

However, it is strongly recommended for international applicants to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid any potential delays.

Students can apply for scholarships after enrolment. Availability is limited.

Limited possibilities (preferably in the evening hours or at weekends)

Student halls of residence or private rooms.

At the study location in Freising, students can apply for housing in the student halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern (student union). Applications can be submitted online from mid-November each year. Early application is highly recommended.

The Career Service supports students during their studies and during the transition from university to employment in all aspects of seeking and applying for employment and in acquiring key skills. The free services of the Career Service are open to all students in all semesters. Students benefit from workshops, lectures and e-learning opportunities, career coaching, advice, and application checks.

For international students, the Career Service offers a wide range of services, with a special focus on facilitating successful career entry in Germany.

There are similar opportunities at Nürtingen-Geislingen University.

International students receive support from the Welcome Centre of the International Office of Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT).

There are similar opportunities at Nürtingen-Geislingen University.

Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT)

Applied life sciences are at the centre of HSWT’s university profile. No other university of applied sciences in Germany has a comparable range of subjects as consistently focused on green sciences. Both in our studies and research, we deal with the grand challenges of our time – climate change, nutrition and environmental protection.

In the seven departments at our two campuses, we cover ecological, technical and economic topics in 20 Bachelor's and 18 Master's degree programmes. At both the Weihenstephan and Triesdorf campuses, we offer our students extensive and practice-oriented expertise in teaching and research. Nearly two-thirds of our students study at the Weihenstephan campus.

You are welcome to have a look at our wide range of study programmes.

As IMLA is offered as a joint venture of two partner universities, both locations should be introduced here:

1) The Weihenstephan campus is located in the attractive town of Freising, 35 km north of Munich, and offers a wide range of cultural and sporting activities. Weihenstephan is above all the most beautiful campus imaginable: with its historic buildings surrounded by beautiful nature and gardens – and with a view of the mountains.

Beyond that, the Weihenstephan campus is one of Germany's largest and most renowned hubs for green sciences. It is home to several prestigious institutions, fostering an interdisciplinary and research-driven environment. Surrounded by extensive green spaces, modern laboratories and innovative research facilities, Weihenstephan provides an ideal learning environment for students.

For more information about the university and the city:
https://www.hswt.de/en/
https://www.freising.de

2) Nürtingen was once the home of the German lyric poet Hölderlin and is located at the foot of the Swabian Alb highlands, not far from Stuttgart. The city offers a wide range of cultural activities, and its cosy bars and historic quarter lend it a very unique flair.

For more information about the university and the city:
https://www.hfwu.com
https://www.nuertingen.de