Future Students Admission MLA

Master of Landscape Architecture Admissions

Admissions Timeline

 Applications for the Master of Landscape Architecture program are accepted until the following deadlines:

Late applications may be accepted on a case-by-base basis. Please email the Admissions and Recruitment Team to inquire.  

All applicants admitted to the MLA program start in the fall term. The application process is competitive, and unfortunately not all qualified applicants meeting the requirements will be admitted. 


Determine your eligibility for the Master of Landscape Architecture


Application Process

Complete the following two-step process to apply:

Submit an online application form

Provide your biographical, education, and referee information. Referees will receive an automated email (with a link and instructions to complete the online reference) and you’ll be prompted to pay your application fee once your application form is submitted. 

Upload application materials

to your online UCalgary Student Centre via MyUCalgary by the deadline: You'll receive an email with instructions on accessing your Student Centre. This is where you can check your application status. 

We recommend completing the online application form as early as possible to provide referees ample time to complete their online reference. Application materials are due by the deadline. 

For further information on admissions refer to the University of Calgary Calendar

Admission Requirements

Minimum Education

A four-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution. 

GPA

A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0- point scale, calculated over the last 60 units (minimum of 20 courses) of university-level courses at the time of application. Please see self-calculated GPA information under the Application Materials section below. 

English Language Proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways: 

(Internet-based test) score of 105 (5.0 for tests taken after January 21, 2026)

Score of 62, or higher (Academic version)

PTE

Score of 70 with no section less than 70

The University of Calgary will accept both the Duolingo English Test and the TOEFL IBT Home Edition

  • The minimum Duolingo test score required is 135. 
  • The minimum TOEFL IBT Home Edition score required is 105.   

Application Materials

Once you've submitted your Online Application Form, you can pay your application fee and submit your Application Package to your MyUCalgary Student Centre.

Create an eID to log in. If you already have an eID, you can begin your online application.  

Once in the online application form, scroll down in the program list and click on School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, then select the Master of Landscape Architecture degree. 

Remember to click 'Save & Continue' often to ensure your application is saved. 

Once your application has been submitted, you will be required to upload unofficial transcripts from each of the post-secondary institutions you have attended. International students will also be required to include provisional and degree certificates along with your transcripts (where applicable/available). 

Please note: If you are still in an undergraduate program (graduating in 2026), please upload unofficial transcripts after your Fall 2026 grades have been posted.  

If admitted, you must provide one official transcript (and degree certificates from those institutions that do not indicate the awarding of degrees on the transcript) from all post-secondary institutions attended, regardless of the number of courses taken or the amount of time spent there. Transcripts and degree certificates issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by certified, word-for-word English translations.  

To be considered official, all academic records must be sent directly to the University of Calgary from the institution and received in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. If you have transcripts from multiple institutions, you may bundle the sealed and signed envelopes (unopened) in one package. Students and graduates from the University of Calgary do not have to submit official transcripts. If you attended university in another country, please review international admissions requirements.  

Physical or electronic copies of your official transcripts can be submitted:  

  1. Send physical official transcripts to the following address:  

    Faculty of Graduate Studies, MacKimmie Tower, Second Floor 
    University of Calgary  
    2500 University Drive NW  
    Calgary, AB, Canada, T2N 1N4  
     
  2. If your post-secondary institution has the capacity to email official transcripts, they should be sent directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies at gradtranscripts@ucalgary.ca. These must be emailed by the school, transcripts emailed by the applicant will not be accepted.  

Please calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA) for your bachelor's degree and upload the calculation to your portal. You can access the Faculty of Graduate Studies for comprehensive resources to assist you through this process.  

Click the link below for detailed instructions, the GPA calculation worksheet, a video tutorial, and FAQs. Questions about your self-calculated GPA? Contact gradapp@ucalgary.ca

The non-refundable application fee is CDN $125 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and CDN $145 for international students attending on a Study Permit. 

Provide two references, with names and contact information: both phone and email, in your online application. Ideally one should be academic, but two professional references are acceptable if you have been out of school for several years. The deadline for references is one week after the application deadline. The guidelines for the reference letter can be found here

In a single PDF file, please assemble your application package in the following order: 

  1. Title page with full name 
  2. Table of Contents 
  3. Resume (Two page maximum): A summary of your experiences in education, work, travel, volunteering, and other relevant areas. 
  4. Statement of Interest (Written – 750 word recommendationOR Video – 2 min and 30 sec max): 
  • Written Statement Option - Tell Us Your Story! We’re excited to get to know you beyond your grades and achievements! Let us know what motivates you through stories, experiences and examples of places and spaces that have challenged and inspired you. Here’s what we’re curious about: 
    • Your Landscape Architecture Story: What excited you about designing with nature? Was it sitting in a park and realizing how the placement of every tree, path, and bench shaped your experience? A moment when you discovered that landscapes aren't just pretty backdrops—they're powerful tools that can heal communities, manage stormwater, and create spaces where both people and wildlife can flourish? Perhaps you noticed how a thoughtful trail system could make nature accessible to everyone, or how green infrastructure could tackle climate challenges while creating beautiful spaces. We love hearing about those special moments when you realized that landscape architects don't just make things look good—they weave together ecology, community, and design
    • Your "Why" Factor: Why our program? Why Calgary? What is it about SAPL that fascinated you? Maybe it's our innovative approach, our community, or something specific that caught your eye - tell us what drew you in! 
    • Your Future Vision: How does this program fit into your bigger dreams? Where do you see yourself making an impact in the world of architecture? What ideas are you buzzing with? We love enthusiasm and fresh thinking! 
    • Keep it Real: Be authentic! We want to get to know the real person behind the application. Are you a plant enthusiast who contemplates garden designs? A concerned urban dweller who wants to find solutions to flooding and river area resilience? Someone who wants to find sustainable ways to integrate nature-based solutions for urban communities?
    • Pro top: Let your personality come through - that's what will make your statement unforgettable! Remember, we want to hear YOUR voice - genuine, passionate, and uniquely you.
  • Video Statement Option - Your Choice to Shine! Want to add a personal touch? A video statement is totally optional, but it's a great way to let your personality shine through! 
    • If you decide to go for it, keep it snappy. And here's the best part: you don't even need to be on camera! Feel free to do a voice-over if that's more your style. 
    • Quick tech note: Don't upload the actual video file to the application. Instead, upload it to YouTube or your favorite video platform, then create a simple one-page PDF with the link embedded. 
    • Remember, this is completely optional - no pressure at all! Whether you choose to include a video or not, your application will be just as strong. 
  1. Digital Portfolio (25 page maximum): This is your chance to make a great impression! The admissions committee is looking for evidence of creative ability and/or potential. Graphic organization of the portfolio, including typography and layout, are also considered. Include creative work in any field or medium, along with short descriptions.
  • Interested in receiving feedback on your portfolio? We have a dedicated team of students who can review your portfolio and send tips for improvement and things to consider. Complete this form to start the process: Portfolio Review Request Form 

Please name the file: "Lastname_Firstname_ MLA_2027.pdf". The package should not exceed 30 MB (resolution is for screen viewing, not print) and the page size should be around 8.5" x 11". 

Contact Us

If you review the admissions information and find you still have questions, please email the Admissions and Recruitment Team at admissions@sapl.ucalgary.ca or request a consultation with an Admissions Advisor by completing this form: Consultation Form

Visit SAPL

We have a team of dedicated students who conduct in-person tours of our new downtown location, The Valentine. You can request a tour here: Tour Request Form

Once Admitted 

We send all notifications of admission and waitlist status by email, beginning in early to mid-March and running until the end of April. All admitted applicants will have 30 days to let us know if they accept our offer. Because we may not hear from some admitted applicants until late May, those admitted from waitlist status may not receive notification of admission until the summer months. Admitted students who accept their offer will need to have official copies of their transcripts and relevant test scores sent before enrolling.  


Sample MLA Admission Portfolios

MLA - Awani Khatu

MLA - Madhurjya Medhi

MLA - Tom Brown

MLA - Christie Kwan

MLA - Micheal Spenrath

MLA - Vu Nguyen

MLA - Feiyuan Lin

MLA - Natasha Jensen

MLA - Xiren Zhang

MLA - Graham Louwers

MLA - Pranshul Dangwal