The research thesis is 120 credits and normally takes one year. Lincoln University’s Master of Landscape Architecture (by examination and thesis) is available to graduates of other disciplines. Students follow the first two semesters of the BLA Graduate Entry and then transfer to the MLA. This option is comprised of 120 credits of coursework and 120 credits of research (240 credits in total). The 240 credit MLA is an accredited qualification.

Entrance to the (research) MLA is for graduates of the accredited BLA degree. Graduates with first class or second class division one Honours are normally eligible for direct entry to the MLA (taught or thesis). Students admitted with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture without Honours or with second class division two Honours will normally have completed a bridging programme comprising the Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Studies and reached a sufficiently high standard, normally a B average, for entry to the MLA. Students intending to undertake a thesis must normally achieve a B+ average in the Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Studies; Proof of English proficiency