Introduction to Degree Programs

Landscape architecture is precisely such a leading discipline in the design of human homes and the ecological reconstruction of the planet, as well as a practical discipline and art of survival that enables humanity to settle permanently on Earth.——Kongjian Yu

Peking University was among the earliest institutions nationwide to advocate, as early as 2000, establishing a landscape architecture program with Chinese characteristics based on the internationally recognized “three-pronged approach” disciplinary model of architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture for human habitat development. Its goal is to cultivate professionals urgently needed by the nation in land ecological conservation, national spatial planning, and urban design and landscape architecture. Landscape architecture engages in comprehensive planning and design centered on land, aiming to harmonize human-nature relations. It advocates resource conservation, efficient land use, and service to human settlements while protecting ecosystems, serving as a foundational discipline for China's ecological civilization development.

The curriculum and pedagogy of Peking University's Landscape Architecture program are solution-oriented, focusing on addressing land ecology and environmental challenges. It emphasizes cross-scale and interdisciplinary knowledge and skill development, organizing teaching and research around national spatial planning, regional ecological and nature conservation planning, urban design, ecological restoration, and ecological engineering design. The program champions land ethics and ecological aesthetics.

Peking University's degree programs in Landscape Architecture originated in 1997 when Professor Yu Kongjian returned to China to establish the discipline. The degree types offered include: - Master of Science in Human Geography (1997–2014) - Master of Science in Geography (Landscape Architecture) (2005–2025) - Professional Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture (2006–present) - Doctor of Philosophy in Human Geography (2000–present).

Primary Degree Programs

1. Geography (Landscape Architecture)

Peking University's Geography (Landscape Architecture) program is a self-established secondary discipline under the primary discipline of Geography, leveraging the university's robust comprehensive arts and sciences foundation. Since formally enrolling its first cohort of Geography (Landscape Architecture) graduate students in 2005, the program has conferred 324 Master of Science degrees. Beginning in 2026, in alignment with Peking University's strategic realignment of academic degree programs, the Master of Science in Geography (Landscape Architecture) will cease admissions, with enrollment quotas transferred to the Professional Master of Landscape Architecture program.

2. Professional Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture

Beginning in 2006, leveraging Peking University's distinctive Landscape Architecture program as its disciplinary foundation, the university initiated enrollment for part-time Professional Master's Degree students in Landscape Architecture. In 2009, responding to the Ministry of Education's call for vigorous development of professional degree education, it formally began enrolling full-time Professional Master's Degree students in Landscape Architecture.

The School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture currently offers two Master of Landscape Architecture (MLS) programs: full-time (referred to as “FMLA” hereafter) and part-time (referred to as “MLA” hereafter).

The FMLA program began independent admissions under the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in 2013 (from 2009 to 2011, the School of Urban and Environmental Sciences handled admissions and student management, while the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture oversaw student training and teaching organization). Starting in 2026, annual enrollment will be 22 students. Specific enrollment numbers and admission methods are detailed in the respective year's admissions catalog.

The MLA program commenced independent admissions under the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in 2012 (from 2006 to 2011, the School of Urban and Environmental Sciences handled admissions and student management, while the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture oversaw student training and teaching organization). Starting in 2026, annual enrollment will be 20 students. Specific enrollment numbers and admission methods are detailed in the respective year's admissions catalog.

3. Doctor of Philosophy in Human Geography

The School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at Peking University recruits doctoral candidates in Human Geography (Architecture and Landscape Design track) and Territorial Spatial Planning (River Basin Human Settlements and Spatial Planning track) through the Geography degree program of Peking University's School of Urban and Environmental Sciences. Since 2000, nearly 50 doctoral students have been admitted, with over 80% now holding positions at universities worldwide, dedicated to disseminating contemporary landscape architecture teaching philosophies and practical methodologies.