Garden Design BA(Hons)

Why study BA(Hons) Garden Design at University College Falmouth?

BA(Hons) Garden Design course leaflet (1.84 MB)

Garden Design is different from other types of design; the final product is not a finished piece, but something that grows, blossoms and matures. For us, good design is about encouraging great thinking; we take inspiration from our environment, different cultures and communities, so that your designs for 21st century living are innovative and groundbreaking.

This unique Garden Design course addresses the discipline from a visual, social and environmental perspective, and connects the design of inspirational places to the needs and aspirations of their users. BA(Hons) Garden Design at Falmouth is also intrinsically linked to the Cornish landscape and its communities, with over 80 significant gardens, dramatic coastlines, industrial heritage, moorlands, and species rich wooded valleys on your doorstep.

University College Falmouth is working closely with the Design Council on Design of the Times (DOTT) Cornwall; a programme where professional designers work. with stakeholders and communities to tackle social, economic and environmental issues from the bottom up.

Our students and graduates get the chance to work alongside senior design professionals on DOTT projects as part of internships and work placements.

Tell me more about the BA(Hons) Garden Design course

Garden Design: This is Design!
Microsoft Power Point Presentation (50.44 MB)

Garden Design at Falmouth engages you with a range of practices and encourages you to explore the possibilities of outdoor spaces in the 21st century. Gaining inspiration from working alongside artists and designers from other creative disciplines, you'll explore ideas and concepts over a variety of projects, including working with external clients and communities on real sites.

With an emphasis on designing both private gardens and public spaces, you'll use different communication methods including verbal, written and graphic to produce responsible and sustainable design strategies.

Located within our impressive Design Centre, you'll enjoy a dynamic and creative environment that encourages you position yourself as a designer within a broader context. The course acknowledges that most garden designers work in teams, and will give you confidence in collaborating and communicating your ideas to a range of audiences. You'll also work with specialist computer software, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and model making equipment to ensure your ideas are communicated effectively and professionally.

Our established partnership with Duchy College also ensures that you'll receive expert tuition in horticulture, organic practice, conservation, plants, soil and the underlying principles of garden making. From conception and planning to creating and managing landscapes, you'll master all stages of the garden design process - making models and prototypes as well as producing a variety of graphics to convey your designs. You'll also spend time working with the local community, designing rural estates, urban spaces, sculpture parks and show gardens.

Whether considering future employment as a garden, landscape or environmental designer, or in a multidisciplinary design studio, our experienced lecturers and high-profile guest speakers will provide you with the perfect recipe for garden design success. Why not find your inspiration on the most visual garden design course in the country?

“There is a liveliness about the student work and a freshness of approach which is most encouraging. This is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, resourced courses in garden design that I have seen.” Andrew Wilson, External Examiner, landscape architect and former Chairman of the Society of Garden Designers

In the news

The Guardian, Saturday 7 March 2009

Cornwall Today, October 2008 (2.71 MB)

Facilities

• High-specification, open plan Design Centre
• Industry standard milling machine
• Rapid prototyping machine
• Model making equipment
• Laser cutter
• Precision casting equipment
• ICT teaching suite

Course outline

Level 1

• Space & User
• Design Foundation
• Place & Practice
• Design Connections

Level 2

• Design Identity
• Professional Identity
• Experimentation & Production
• Critical Theory & Practice

Level 3

• Personal Exploratory Research Project
• Dissertation Project
• Comprehensive Design Project

Profile events

• Attendance at the 2007 Chelsea Flower Show
• Chelsea Flower Show online press story

Answers and advice about the course

If you have any queries about the course please visit our HelpMe Forum

HelpMe Forum

Open Design: UCF for design tutors

Friday 12 November 2010

At our first Open Design event in February, Heads of Department and Pathway Leaders from Foundation level courses around the UK spent the day with design staff and students at University College Falmouth, learning more about our facilities and courses.

Click here for more information and to register for the next Open Design event

Career opportunities

Our unique blend of horticultural knowledge, environmental management and innovative design practices in our undergraduate garden design degree prepare you for a career in:

• Garden, landscape or environmental designer
• Specialist horticulture position
• Freelance designer
• Teaching
• Postgraduate study

Course entry requirements

Foundation Diploma or National Diploma, AVCE/Advanced GNVQ, or other appropriate level 3 qualifications/experience.

For further information about BA(Hons) Garden Design at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213730.

Interview dates and selection process

Interviews will commence in February.

The interview will include a half day group session and an individual interview. Applicants will be expected to bring a portfolio of recent work mounted on card, plus sketchbooks, notebooks and a sample essay.

Location: Tremough Campus

Related courses

• Interior Design BA(Hons)
• Spatial Design BA(Hons)
• Design MAs