Chartered landscape professional
- Level
- 7
- Typical duration
- 60 months (about 5 years)
- Max funding band
- £25,000
- Route
- Construction and the built environment
Lead the design, creation, maintenance or management of spaces in both natural and built environment.
About the role
This occupation is found in the construction, horticultural, creative and design, environmental and planning sectors.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to lead the design, creation, maintenance or management of spaces in both natural and built environments. Chartered Landscape professionals enhance, protect and create natural and built environments and provide innovative, well designed and well managed outdoor places for people to enjoy, while ensuring that changes to the natural environment are appropriate, sensitive and sustainable.
Chartered Landscape Professionals require a mix of practical skills, an understanding of people and society, appreciation of the natural world and the ability to bring these diverse skills together and to build relationships with people and communities including volunteers, friends groups, team members, the public and other professionals. The Chartered Landscape Professional innovates, solves problems and takes account of a wide range of issues including regeneration, the availability of finance, the environment, the availability of finance and public health. Chartered Landscape Professionals work across multiple sectors and scales from strategic planning on a national scale to small scale designs for homeowners. Chartered Landscape Professionals are leaders and role models and are likely to have significant responsibilities within an organisation including responsibility for the financial implications of their projects. They identify and develop partnerships to bring additional support and finance to the management of landscapes and take a commercial approach to managing green spaces. They abide by the Landscape Institute’s Code of Conduct and ethical standards of conduct because they hold positions of responsibility and make decisions that impact on the natural and built environment and long term well being of communities.
The occupation is regulated by high standards of professionalism assuring clients and employers of the quality of service they will receive. Chartered Landscape Professionals will be responsible for autonomously managing their own work programs and time while maintaining their own personal development and contributing to that of others. The optional pathways a Chartered Landscape Professional can follow are landscape design (those following this pathway are generally known as landscape architects), landscape and parks management and landscape planning.
How it compares
At 60 months (about 5 years), it is longer than average for a degree-level apprenticeship (the average across all 172 Level 6+ standards is 39 months).
The funding band — the maximum an employer's levy can contribute to training costs — is £25,000, at or above the £21,500 average for degree-level standards. Apprentices never pay tuition either way.
It has 3 specialist options, so two apprentices on this standard can follow noticeably different paths.
Typical job titles
- Landscape architect
- Senior landscape architect
- Chartered landscape architect
- Landscape planner
- Landscape engineer
- Park manager
- Landscape manager
- Urban designer
- Chartered landscape professional
- Landscape professional
Entry requirements
Typically, an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved Level 3 qualifications e.g. A Levels or a Level 3 apprenticeship in a related discipline. Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship English and Maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualifications are an alternative to an English qualification for those for whom this is their primary language.
Entry requirements are ultimately set by each employer — treat these as the baseline, not the bar.
What you come out with
- Professional recognition: Landscape Institute — Chartered Member
Specialist options
- Landscape Design
- Landscape and Parks Management
- Landscape Planning
What you'll learn
The official standard defines 12 core duties, 15 knowledge areas, 13 skills, 8 behaviours. This is the actual assessed content of the apprenticeship — worth reading before an interview, because competency questions are usually written straight from these lists.
Core duties 12
- Lead and be responsible for the design, planning, maintenance, management and assessment of a wide range of spaces including, but not limited to, public spaces, streetscapes, public parks, green corridors, infrastructure and natural landscapes.
- Lead and be responsible for designing, planning, maintaining and managing landscapes (including blue and green infrastructure) that are sustainable and encourage biodiversity, water management, health and wellbeing.
- Lead on the survey, inspection and analysis of landscapes and sites.
- Formulate strategies, detailing and specifications for landscapes
- Evaluate, assess and advise on environmental impact and opportunities for regeneration, flood management, sustainable transport and protection of historical sites and the natural environment
- Lead on the development of guidelines and best practice for the sensitive and sustainable creation and management of accessible spaces for people to meet, relax and enjoy and for the benefit of nature
- Use advanced technology and systems such as computer aided design, graphics programmes, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM)
- Provide professional advice on environmental, legal and regulatory issues relating to landscapes
- Provide leadership in the promotion of the sensitive and sustainable development and use of landscapes, places and infrastructure to a wide range of stakeholders
- Lead the preparation of information and documentation for statutory approvals, strategies, tenders and construction
- Lead and take responsibility for managing landscape projects and engage with the public and local communities
- Achieve goals in relation to budgets and finance targets and take account of financial implications of projects. Appraise opportunities to develop future funding streams and commercial opportunities to sustain the management of parks and landscapes through engagement with relevant stakeholders and partners.
Knowledge 15
- Landscape assessment and analysis: How to survey, assess and evaluate landscapes, places and sites. Landscape and visual assessment and analysis.
- Planning, landscape and environmental related legislation: Planning, landscape and environmental related legislation, requirements, policies and procedures. Including the statutory process for making planning applications, Environmental Impact Assessment legislation, Building Regulations (Parts M and K), statutory and non-statutory designations associated with landscape, trees and woodlands, ecology, heritage and wildlife
- Landscape context: How to analyse, assess and evaluate the distinctive, characteristic and functional qualities of landscape, places and sites including cultural context, history, character and place.
- Technology and data: Advanced technology including but not limited to, CAD, BIM, GIS, relevant graphic software, 3D modelling and visualisations. Legal requirements regarding data management, ethical standards and organizational data management procedures.
- Business management: Management of a landscape practice or organisation including legal liabilities, duties and obligations on businesses and individuals. Health and Safety liabilities, duties and obligations including CDM and management of risk. Economic and financial management.
- Environment and sustainability: How to embed the principles of social, economic and environmental sustainability and provide input to assess the environmental impact of projects and build resilience. How to adapt and mitigate the consequences of climate change.
- Leadership and project management: Appropriate processes, methodologies, tools and techniques to lead and to manage projects effectively to time and budget and evaluate effectiveness. Methods of conflict avoidance and resolution.
- Professional ethics and ethical framework: The characteristics of a landscape professional, the importance of upholding the highest standards of ethical behaviour and commitment to maintaining and developing professional competence. Equality and diversity including relevant legislation. The required standards of practice and ethics for Chartered Members of the Landscape Institute and the core ethical principles.
- Landscape specialisms: The key principles of landscape design, landscape management, park management and planning. Quality interventions that integrate with both the function and identity of a landscape putting land, water, drainage, energy, community, economic, infrastructure and other such resources to the best possible use. Engaging with other professionals. Town and country planning decision making.
- Landscape design: How to create landscape and concept designs that benefit society, place and nature. The importance of promoting health and wellbeing, sensory design, biodiversity and inclusive access. Types of materials to suit the intended use. Plant types and environmental requirements such as climate conditions, microclimates, soil, sun, moisture and wind. The design of of hydroponic systems. The interaction between landscape design and the built environment.
- Contract administration: Tender processes and contractual arrangements for work with contractors. Effective and fair administration of contracts, insurances, contract instructions, variations, practical completion and defects.
- Landscape and parks management: The ways by which landscapes can meet the needs of owners, managers and users. Maintenance, management and administration of contracts. Landscape ecology, habitats and horticulture. The protection, maintenance and management of landscapes/parks and of heritage asset to best practice standards. Business planning and fundraising.
- People and places: How to manage the demands of people and places and ensure landscapes are places that are accessible and inclusive, being able to be used easily, safely and with dignity by all avoiding unnecessary effort, separation or segregation. User/visitor management plans. Landscape/parks management plans and strategies. How to lead and manage others, including the recruitment, selection and appraisal of staff and volunteers. Legislation and legal requirements relating to health and safety and accessibility.
- Landscape planning: Detailed planning legislation and policy. Landscape ecology and habitats. Master planning.
- Landscape assessment: Formal methods of landscape assessment such as (but not limited to) Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments and Landscape Sensitivity Assessments.
Skills 13
- Landscape and/or site analysis and research: Critically analyse, assess and evaluate the significance, context, character and defining qualities of landscape or sites. Promote health and wellbeing, biodiversity and sustainability. Evaluate and account for the physical and social context of landscapes.
- Convey creative ideas relating to landscape: Communicate and present creative and innovative ideas relating to landscape through appropriate media. Typically this could include graphic designs, sketches, reports, visualisations, concept/master/detailed plans, presentations and photography
- Lead, manage and deliver landscape projects: Agree project briefs and agree clear aims and objectives. Lead, manage and deliver landscape projects to time and budget. Manage risk and evaluate projects. Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and regulations.
- Use technology: Use appropriate advanced technology including, but not limited to, CAD, 3D modelling, GIS, relevant graphic software. Hold use and share information and data adopting appropriate security measures and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical requirements and standards.
- Stakeholder engagement and leadership: Engage with, lead and manage a wide range of stakeholders including the public and local communities. Communicate, negotiate, advocate and mediate effectively and respond appropriately to resolve conflict. Take responsibility for engaging people in landscapes and promoting access for all.
- Critical analysis and decision making: Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate information, appraise options, negotiate, make clear, evidenced based decisions and provide professional advice and recommendations.
- Leadership and communication: Show leadership to others. Collaborate and engage constructively with other professionals. Think strategically and influence others and negotiate to reach agreement and resolve conflicts. Communicate clearly in writing and verbally including report writing and presentations. Use interpersonal skills, communication and assertiveness to persuade, motivate and influence. Work independently and as part of a team.
- Landscape design: Lead the preparation of creative and innovative designs responding to site and end user requirements, physical, social and legislative contexts and to an agreed brief. Promote factors such as health and wellbeing, biodiversity and inclusive access.
- Contract administration: Lead, organise and manage tender processes and contractual arrangements for work. Effectively and fairly administer landscape contracts. Manage insurances, contract instructions, variations, practical completion and defects.
- Landscape and parks management: Provide leadership in caring for land in ways that ensure landscapes can fulfil needs and aspirations in an effective and sustainable manner for present and future communities of users. Ensure landscapes can be effectively and cost effectively managed and maintained over time. Promote and foster landscape ecology and habitats. Undertake business planning, management and fundraising to meet strategic objectives. Lead and manage the agreement and implementation of contracts.
- People and places: Take responsibility for responding to the needs of people, place and nature. Create a positive user experience and maximise the local benefits that people can bring to the environment, economy and community. Ensure that landscapes and places are accessible, being able to be used easily, safely and with dignity by all avoiding unnecessary effort, segregation or separation. Develop and manage relationships with friends groups, the public, local communities, volunteers and staff. Lead, organise and manage the work of others.
- Landscape planning: Critically analyse, assess and seek to resolve environmental, economic and social opportunities and constraints and account for these when addressing a landscape’s potential and capacity to accommodate change. Lead on the preparation and/or determining of applications for planning consents. Provide integrated solutions for area based schemes including masterplanning.
- Landscape assessment: Lead on the contribution to or use of the findings of formal landscape assessments such as (but not limited to) Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments and Landscape Sensitivity Assessments.
Behaviours 8
- The Landscape Institute standards of conduct and practice.
- Commitment to own continuing professional development and reflective practice and that of others
- A professional attitude.
- Reliability, integrity and respect for confidentiality on work related and personal matters, including appropriate use of social media and information systems
- A passion for landscape, the environment and creating great places for people
- Attention to detail
- Versatility
- Creative vision
Live vacancies
No live vacancies for this course as of 2026-07-24 — new adverts appear on Find an apprenticeship daily, and many degree apprenticeship employers recruit on their own careers sites instead.
Universities registered to deliver it
No university is currently on the provider register for this standard — delivery is by specialist training providers. The full provider list is on Find apprenticeship training.
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Building services engineer
Official sources
- Official standard page (Skills England)
- Registered training providers (Find apprenticeship training)
Occupational summary, duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours reproduced from the ST0742 apprenticeship standard (last updated 2025-12-09) — contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always check the official page before applying: standards get revised.