MLA ADMISSIONS
Please be aware that MLA tuition fees are under review. We anticipate having information by the end of November about revised tuition fees.
Applicants to the Master of Landscape Architecture [MLA] program must hold a degree that is academically equivalent to a UBC 4-year Bachelor’s degree with at least a minimum average in the B+ range in their third and fourth year level course work. For more detailed information please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
Admission to the MLA program is based on a composite of information including your previous academic performance, letters of reference, portfolio of creative works and work experience. Therefore it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her application is complete. All documents should be sent directly to the Landscape Architecture Program Office. The information below provides a general overview of the admission process for the MLA program. However, students should familiarize themselves with the minimum requirements, rules and regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Online Application
Applications must be submitted using the Online Application Form.
There is a non-refundable application fee of $91.80 CDN for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents and $153 CDN for international applicants. The online application only accepts VISA and Mastercard.
Official Transcripts
Two copies of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions [the applicant has attended] in envelopes sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. Current and former UBC students do not need to submit official transcripts. Transcripts received from the student, even in a sealed envelope are not considered official.
If you attended or graduated from an institution where the transcripts are in a language other than English or French, you must arrange to have two sets of all transcripts issued in the original language and a certified translation sent to the program office. Official, original or certified copies of the original records must be received in envelopes sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. More information is available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
References
Three letters of reference must be sent directly to the program office from individuals who are familiar with your academic and / or professional work. We require at least two, and preferably three, academic references from full time faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor or above. There are two ways your referees may submit letters of reference for you.
1.) By paper with a paper reference form or a personal letter of recommendation, which needs to be signed. All letters of reference should be sent directly to the program office by your referees and signed across the seal of the envelope.
2.) By using the UBC online reference system. Your referees will receive an automatic email asking them to provide a reference report on your behalf with a link to the online application system. The online reference system uses the email addresses you entered in the “Referees” section of your online application. If your referee is using the online reference system please let your referees know that the text box for filling in comments is expandable. Your referees may also copy and paste from an existing letter. Your referees do not need to submit a paper copy of their recommendation for you if they are using the UBC online reference system.
Resume
A short resume is required outlining your educational background, work, volunteer and travel experiences, creative interests and hobbies.
Statement of Interest
A statement (1-2 pages) outlining your interest in pursuing landscape architecture.
Portfolio
You will need to submit a portfolio with examples of your creative works that demonstrate your aptitude and experience in creative endeavors. Creative works may include but are not limited to projects/work that you have designed, created or constructed [e.g., sketching, painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, printmaking, pottery, dressmaking, woodworking, gardening, poetry]. In general, a creative work may be anything you feel best demonstrates your creativity. Your portfolio should be organized into a clear, well-crafted package that by its holistic design demonstrates your creative abilities, be no bigger than 9" x 12" and bound securely in some fashion. Your portfolio should also have concise, descriptive text on each page to adequately explain your work.
Applicants need to be very selective in the work they submit. Each work shown should represent a new direction or aspect of your creativity. It is essential to send examples of a range of work rather than provide a comprehensive selection of one type of work. Please submit only high quality reproductions of your work and no original artwork. Sufficient return packaging and postage are required if you would like your portfolio returned to you.
The program recognizes that many prospective students are not accomplished artists. The purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate your design potential rather than some arbitrary level of artistic accomplishment.
Supplemental Departmental Application Fee
An additional application fee of $60.00 CDN is required by the Landscape Architecture Program to process your application. Please refer to the online academic calendar for additional information.
http://www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=14,297,0,0
OTHER DOCUMENTS:
Document Translations
Certified translations are required when academic records are produced in a language other than English.
Degree Certificates
A Degree Certificate is required when transcripts do not state that a degree has been conferred.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants from a university outside of Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction is required to demonstrate their competency in the English language by meeting the minimum required scores on an acceptable English language proficiency test. For a list of acceptable tests and their minimum scores please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline to submit your online application and required documents is January 6, 2012 for September 2012 admission.
Please ensure that all required documents on the application checklist are submitted to the program office.
UBC Landscape Architecture Program
2357 Main Mall, Room 379
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
Canada
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE
Applicants to the Landscape Architecture Program are notified by mid March of admission decisions. The program normally accepts 18 students to the program each year.
The program will return portfolios to applicants who have included a prepaid envelope with their application package. Applicants may also pick up their portfolios from the program office.
APPLICATION MATERIALS: