Advanced Diploma in Landscape Design
London, Canada
DURATION
83 Weeks
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
CAD 49,575 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international costs | Canadian costs: CAD 12,130.40
Introduction
Do you want to change the world? Working at a variety of scales, landscape designers employ a unique blend of creative design thinking, horticulture, ecology, sustainability, and sound construction practices to improve the physical world and transform our outdoor spaces. If you are looking for a profession that makes use of your creativity, your love of the natural world, your interest in problem-solving, and your entrepreneurial spirit, then a career in landscape design is for you.
Your Learning Experience
Canada’s only three-year Landscape Design Ontario College Advanced Diploma program offers a hybrid studio learning model, which combines traditional studio practice with computer-aided design to create designs and technical working drawings for a variety of project scales. Students learn design supported through emerging and current industry-based computer technologies to visualize, communicate and present designs using CADD, 3D modelling, visualization, illustration, and digital photography techniques.
Our program combines coursework with co-op work terms so students gain real-world work experiences. Students discover first-hand the links between coursework and the profession of landscape design, bringing what was learned in each work term back to the classroom to continue building key employability skills.
Program field trips include botanical gardens, residential sites, Landscape Ontario designer conferences, and trade shows. There are also opportunities to participate in exchanges or international trips to experience some of the world’s most historic cities and gardens in Italy, Spain, England, and Brazil.
Landscape Design is a cooperative program of study providing training in the design of many types of landscape areas, with an emphasis on residential landscape design as well as experience with commercial and institutional sites. A variety of skills in areas such as drafting, computer-aided design, three-dimensional modelling, design illustration, and visualization are combined with the knowledge of design theory, plant and hard materials, landscape construction, and new technologies to provide students with the skills necessary to source employment in the expanding field of landscape design.
Qualifying graduates of the Landscape Design program have the option to receive advanced standing into a related Honours Bachelor's Degree in the Environmental Design and Planning program at Fanshawe College as well as the Landscape Architecture program at the University of Guelph where they may continue their studies. Previous graduates have also pursued degrees at a wide range of universities in both Canada and Europe.
Program Code: DLS4
Admissions
Curriculum
Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Reason and Writing 1-Art and Design
- Landscape Design Studio 1
- Site Inventory and Evaluation
- Presentation and Illustration 1
- Co-operative Education Employment Prep
- Landscape Materials
- Computer Drafting for Design 1
- Plant Studies 1
Level 2
Gen Ed - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course.
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Communications for Design
- Landscape Design Studio 2
- Field Construction 1
- Plant Studies 2
- Computer Drafting for Design 2
Level 3
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Landscape Design Studio 3
- Surveying and Site Services
- Ecology
- Digital Illustration 1
- Plant Studies 3
- Field Construction- Concrete
Level 4
Gen Ed - Take a 3-credit General Education elective course.
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Landforms
- Landscape Design Studio 4
- Working Documents
- Digital Illustration 2
- Business Studies 1-Business and Costing
Level 5
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- Landscapes Structures 1
- Special Project/Research and Development
- Advanced Digital Illustration
- Landscape Studio 5
- Ecology 2
- Geographical Information Systems 1
Level 6
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Group 1
- Landscape Studio 6
- Professional Practice
- Landscape Structures 2
- Special Project/Research & Dev 2
Group 2
- Ecology 3
- Advanced Digital Illustration 2
- Geographical Information Systems 2
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Craft landscape designs that successfully integrate people into outdoor environments.
- Apply principles of site engineering to complete a landscape design.
- Use the computer as a tool to communicate all aspects of the landscape design process.
- Utilize appropriate communication tools to convey design ideas.
- Recognize the importance of landscape maintenance and management in design.
- Prepare accurate quantity and cost estimates for a project.
- Plan, execute, and conclude a wide range of landscape projects.
- Identify the environmental effects of projects and take appropriate steps to avoid environmental damage and promote healthy ecosystems.
- Act professionally, maintain professional relationships, and communicate effectively with clients, co-workers, supervisors, and others.
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance and career opportunities and to keep pace with industry changes.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Landscape Design program are valued for their understanding of the design process, technical construction, visualization, communication and problem-solving skills. With your advanced diploma, you will be able to pursue dynamic and challenging careers with:
- Landscape architecture, planning and environmental firms
- Landscape contractors
- Design-build landscape companies
- Design offices
- Landscape sales and marketing
- Municipal and provincial offices
- Nurseries and garden centres
Co-op Opportunities
The Landscape Design program offers a cooperative education component, where students gain first-hand experience of the diversity of the landscape profession while working in their chosen field. Employers post job openings starting in January to recruit students for these work terms. Job fairs targeting our students are also held early in the year. Many opportunities are available for those new to the landscape field as well as those with previous work experience.