A study abroad experience in landscape architecture can provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures and design challenges while developing a broader global perspective.
Prospective Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Students
Due to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) studio sequence, the only opportunity BLA students have to study abroad, beyond winter intersession or summer, is during the spring semester of the third year in the BLA program at DIS in Copenhagen, Denmark. The DIS study abroad program for landscape architecture is focused around an Urban Design Studio that is equivalent to UW-Madison’s Land Arc Urban Design and Open Space Systems course. The DIS Urban Design Studio requires that students are enrolled in a professional design program and have completed two university level spatial design studios.
Please keep in mind, if you decide to study abroad in any semester other than the spring semester of the third year in the BLA program, your time to degree will be extended by one year.
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Course Considerations Abroad
Students studying abroad during the spring semester of their third year in the BLA program, must take the following courses provided by DIS to stay within the studio sequence.
- DIS Urban Design Studio
- UW-Madison BLA course equivalent is Land Arc 562 Urban Design and Open Space Systems
- DIS Geographical Information Systems- Applied Climate Change Cases
- UW-Madison BLA course equivalent is Land Arc 511 Geodesign Methods and Applications
- DIS Electives
- Courses that satisfy the UW-Madison BLA Professional Focus Elective are listed below in the mapping section.
Mapping Your Study Abroad Experience as a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Major
- BLA Year 01: Winter intersession or summer term programs only
- BLA Year 02: Winter intersession or summer term programs only
- BLA Year 03: Spring Semester Option – DIS-Study Abroad in Scandinavia Copenhagen Program (15cr)
- Urban Design Studio Course (6cr – Required course)
- GeoDesign (3cr – Required course)
- Geographical Information Systems: Applied Climate Change Cases
- Physical Science Breadth (3cr – Choose one course)
- Choose an elective that fills breadth or other UW requirements
- Professional Focus Course Options (3cr – Choose one course)
- Environmental Studies / Science
- Biological Conservation and Biodiversity
- Citizen Science on Biodiversity and Climate Change
- Environmental Policy in Practice
- Getting There: Transportation in Urban Europe
- Sustainable by Design
- Sustainable Development in Northern Europe
- Urban Ecology
- Understanding Climate Change
- History of the Natural and Built Environment
- Art, Nature, and Climate Change
- Danish Design
- Garden Art in European Culture
- Art and Design in the Natural and Built Environment
- Adaptive Re-use in Europe: Cities and Buildings
- Art, Place, and Mindful Practices
- Detailing and Sustainability in Scandinavian Architecture
- European Urban Design Theories
- European Urban Experience: Why Cities Matter
- Furniture Design workshop
- Inclusive Design in Architecture and Urban Spaces
- Integrated Climate Change Planning
- New Nordic Design
- Urban Exploration Photography Workshop
- Urban Design Journal
- Ways of Seeing: Storytelling through Photography
- Watercolor Painting
- Professional Development and Leadership
- Leadership Across Cultures
- Strategic Planning for Leaders
- Environmental Studies / Science
- BLA Year 03: Summer session option – DIS-Study Abroad in Scandinavia Copenhagen Program
- Urban Design Studio Course (6cr – Required course)
BLA Year 04 – Not recommended.
Questions to Ask
Your Academic Advisor:
- What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
- What is the consequence if I break the BLA studio sequence?
- Do I need to be on UW-Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
Your Study Abroad Advisor:
- What classes can I take abroad?
- What is the recommended study abroad course of study for a student in the BLA program?
- How and when do I select courses for my program?
- When will I know course equivalents for my program?
- What is the class structure like abroad?
Identifying Programs That are Right for You
To stay on course with the BLA studio sequence BLA students have two options, study abroad during winter intersession or summer or during the spring semester of the third year in the BLA program. If you go abroad during spring of your third year in the BLA program you must follow the courses recommended above at DIS to stay on track in the studio sequence. If you study abroad during winter intersession or summer, you have a little more flexibility in what you take because you will not miss sequence courses; however, the summer in the DIS Urban Design Studio is still highly recommended.
Search all IAP programs
Research all programs using the IAP Program Search page. The above is not an exhaustive list of all programs that offer Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture courses. There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.