{"id":16074,"date":"2026-01-01T15:02:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T15:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/14201"},"modified":"2026-04-10T15:00:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T15:00:25","slug":"university-course-accreditation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/landscapeinstitute.org\/education-careers\/university-course-accreditation\/","title":{"rendered":"Accreditation of landscape courses"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Reasons to accredit your course<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>

We aim to accredit courses that reflect all aspects of the profession \u2013 landscape and urban design, historic landscapes, environmental conservation, landscape management, planning, ecology and which demonstrate that they are mapped to the\u00a0LI\u2019s Competency Framework.<\/a><\/p>

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<\/a> throughout their studies and, upon graduation from an accredited postgraduate programme, become eligible for Associate membership<\/a> \u2013 the first step towards Chartership<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Become an LI accredited University<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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We welcome enquiries from UK universities and international educational institutions interested in seeking professional accreditation for their courses. Please refer to the criteria<\/a> and procedures and guidelines<\/a> document in the first instance.<\/p>

To arrange an initial discussion or if you wish to submit an expression of interest please email\u00a0education@landscapeinstitute.org<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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How to make the grade<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Read on below to find out about what it takes to become an accredited university.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Process <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead full procedures and guidelines<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Undergraduate programmes<\/strong><\/p>

Integrated awards<\/strong><\/p>

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<\/p>

Non-integrated awards<\/strong><\/p>

360 credits with an agreed progression path to at least 180 credits at the same school or via a partnership with another school.\u00a0 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.<\/p>

Postgraduate programmes<\/strong><\/p>

Cognate graduates* 180 credits at Level 7 (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or equivalent<\/p>

*A cognate graduate, in relation to entry to LI accredited post-graduate programmes, is a graduate from a course or programme that develops:<\/p>

  1. Foundation knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to all of the core Landscape Competencies in the LI\u2019s Competency Framework<\/li>
  2. The key transferable knowledge, skills and understanding underpinning professional practice and working life in general and reflected in the Professional Competencies in the LI\u2019s Competency Framework\u2019<\/li><\/ol>

    Non cognate graduates Conversion programmes to be 300 credits \u2013 120 credit<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    The Landscape Institute\u2019s five criteria for accreditation of higher education programmes are:<\/p>

    –\u00a0Schools must demonstrate that they have the staffing, expertise, resources and quality assurance mechanisms to deliver and maintain a high-quality programme of learning.<\/span><\/p>

    – Programmes must:<\/span><\/p>