The MASLA degree is a postgraduate research degree in landscape architecture at SALA UBC. As most universities in Canada offer only a first professional MLA (Master in Landscape Architecture) the MASLA offers a post graduate study in landscape architecture besides the SALA PhD. The MASLA degree is a useful postgraduate degree if students have a professional BLA or BArch and are interested in further post graduate study to qualify for a research and teaching position at a university or research lab of a larger design firm, which supports applied research as hiring criteria. The PhD takes longer (5 years) and is useful for theoretical subjects such as history, landscape theory etc. The MASLA (2 years) covers applied research such as material research, landscape technology etc.
The MASLA degree does not lead to licensure in landscape architecture in BC. If you already hold a professional degree in landscape architecture or a related field and have a capacity for independent research, this program may be a good choice for you.
Before you can apply to the MASLA program, please reach out to an individual faculty member listed below explaining what and why you would like to research specifically with that faculty member. Only if the faculty member pre-approves your application in writing will you be allowed to proceed to apply through the SALA MASLA website application process. The faculty approval document needs to be attached to your application process.
Faculty supervising MASLA and their research expertise: Fionn Byrne, Kees Lokman, Daniel Roehr, Natalia Echeverri, Susan Herrington.
The Master of Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture degree requires the completion of 30 credits, which includes your thesis. You will largely design your own trajectory and specialized studies through elective coursework in interdisciplinary fields. In your first year, you will broaden your knowledge in academic research and electives to prepare for your research thesis in the second year. The degree normally takes two years to complete.
- LARC 523 Landscape Architectural Theory
- LARC 525 Research Methods
- LARC 541 Landscape Planning and Management
- LARC 599 Research Thesis
+ Electives
Before you can apply to the MASLA program, you need to have approval by a faculty member in writing.
Please note that tuition fees are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors and are subject to change each year. Tuition fees for international students are expected to rise for the 2025-26 academic year. For information about current tuition fees for domestic, international, and continuing students please see the UBC Academic calendar.
Admissions requirements
You must meet all admissions requirements in order to be considered for entry into the program.
You must hold a professional degree in landscape architecture or a degree in a related field in combination with experience relevant to graduate studies in landscape architecture.
If you have completed your degree at a Canadian or American university, you must have a B+ average in your third- and fourth-year-level coursework. If you completed your degree at an international university, you must have a B+ average in all coursework.
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
The minimum scores are:
TOEFL – 100 iBT or 600 paper based
IELTS – Overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component of the academic (not general) test.
While not required, you may submit GRE results as additional evidence of scholastic promise and aptitude
Application materials
All application materials should be submitted through the online application.
You must submit an online application form, only after you have written approval from a faculty member to apply. Complete application materials and the non-refundable application fee are due by the deadline of January 15.
A summary of your experiences in education, work, travel, volunteering, and other relevant areas. The maximum length is two pages, single spaced.
A one- to two-page written statement outlining your research interests and aspirations. Describe the proposed area of research and explain why you believe it is important. Include methodology, citations, and a bibliography, and explain how your work experience, readings, and related activities have influenced your chosen research pursuit. You will need to include which Faculty member you reached out to and supports your application.
The research statement and research interests can – and do – evolve during the course of the degree. The statement helps the admissions committee judge your preparedness for undertaking the proposed research and its alignment with the faculty’s research expertise.
Your portfolio is submitted digitally in your online application. The PDF can be a maximum of 20 letter-sized (8.5″ x 11″) pages and must be under 10MB in size.
Tip: Use 150 pixels-per-inch or even 72 ppi images, or try saving the file as a Reduced Size PDF (“Save as Other”) in Adobe Acrobat, to bring down the file size.
Submit at least one and no more than three examples of previous scholarly or creative works. At least one example of writing should clearly indicate research ability and be identified as such.
You should organize your portfolio into a clear, well-crafted document. The portfolio should have concise, descriptive text on each page to adequately explain the work. If working in collaboration with others, please clearly indicate your contribution to the submitted work.
You must upload scans of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended, including transcripts from universities attended on exchange. Uploads of unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. If you are currently completing a degree, submit your transcripts to date. In that case, UBC will not grant final confirmation of acceptance until you have submitted the final transcripts after the degree is conferred. If offered admission, you will be asked to send official transcripts in hardcopy.
If the academic records are in a language other than English or French, you must submit scans of the official transcripts in their original language and accompany them with scans of official translations.
You must arrange for three letters of reference, two of which should be academic and speak to your past performance and ability to succeed in a graduate program. Referees submit their letters through the online application system.
You also need to submit written approval from the SALA Faculty member who is supporting your application.
Please note that you will pay a non-refundable application fee through the online application system.
Landscape Architecture Program
larc@sala.ubc.ca
604.822.3445
Daniel Roehr
Chair, Landscape Architecture program
droehr@sala.ubc.ca