Reasons to accredit your course
The Landscape Institute works with universities across the UK to provide the professional accreditation of undergraduate and postgraduate higher education programmes so students can be sure their degree is of the highest standard and prepares them for a career in the landscape profession.
We aim to accredit courses that reflect all aspects of the profession – landscape and urban design, historic landscapes, environmental conservation, landscape management, planning, ecology and which demonstrate that they are mapped to the LI’s Competency Framework.
Students on LI-accredited courses gain the knowledge and skills that set them up for a successful career. They also enjoy free LI Student membership throughout their studies and, upon graduation from an accredited postgraduate programme, become eligible for Associate membership – the first step towards Chartership.
Become an LI accredited University
We welcome enquiries from UK universities and international educational institutions interested in seeking professional accreditation for their courses. Please refer to the criteria and procedures and guidelines document in the first instance.
To arrange an initial discussion or if you wish to submit an expression of interest please email education@landscapeinstitute.org.
How to make the grade
Read on below to find out about what it takes to become an accredited university.
Process
If a programme has been identified as suitable for accreditation, LI will arrange a visit to the establishment by a panel consisting of LI staff and professionals, to review the programme in further detail.
Requirements
Undergraduate programmes
Integrated awards
480 credits with at least 120 credits at Level 7 (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or equivalent and to include a year in practice prior to such level 7 study. Flexibility regarding the nature of the year in practice will be adopted when required e.g. periods of recession
Non-integrated awards
360 credits with an agreed progression path to at least 180 credits at the same school or via a partnership with another school. To ensure comparability due to the year in practice requirement for integrated programmes, for non-integrated programmes the progression should be to 180 credits at Level 7 (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or equivalent.
Postgraduate programmes
Cognate graduates* 180 credits at Level 7 (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or equivalent
*A cognate graduate, in relation to entry to LI accredited post-graduate programmes, is a graduate from a course or programme that develops:
- Foundation knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to all of the core Landscape Competencies in the LI’s Competency Framework
- The key transferable knowledge, skills and understanding underpinning professional practice and working life in general and reflected in the Professional Competencies in the LI’s Competency Framework’
Non cognate graduates Conversion programmes to be 300 credits – 120 credit
Criteria
The Landscape Institute’s five criteria for accreditation of higher education programmes are:
– Schools must demonstrate that they have the staffing, expertise, resources and quality assurance mechanisms to deliver and maintain a high-quality programme of learning.
– Programmes must:
- focus on a clear and defined area of professional landscape skills and expertise.
- deliver appropriate underpinning skills, knowledge and understanding to provide a foundation for entering the profession.
– Programmes must deliver the key generic skills which underpin professional life and lifelong learning.
– Programmes must provide a foundation for progression to the workplace and professional practice.
– Schools must demonstrate a commitment to working in partnership with the Landscape Institute and the profession.
Professional Review Groups
All of our accredited Universities are supported by Professional Review Groups who work closely with the University and acting as a critical friend and sounding board but more importantly ensuring that as practitioners, they consider that graduates from their programmes have received initial professional education such that they have the foundation knowledge and understanding to take up their first employment in an area of the profession relevant to the focus of the programme.
If you are member and are interested in finding out about the role of the PRG and to find out about potential vacancies please contact education@landscapeinstitute.org (Please note PRG’s are appointed by each University with approval from the LI but we can assist in facilitating opportunities.
Currently accredited courses
See the full list of LI accredited undergraduate and postgraduate courses here.