ILASA

About ILASA

ILASA is the Institute for Landscape Architecture in South Africa. It is the professional body for landscape architects and related practitioners in the country. Its work is organised through three regional bodies, ILASA Cape, ILASA KwaZulu-Natal and ILASA Gauteng. The national office is in Sandton. The institute promotes professional standards, ethical practice and continuing learning. It also raises public awareness of how well-designed parks, streets and open spaces improve city life.

Landscape architecture is a small profession. Only a few universities teach it, and the number of new graduates each year is low. As a result, ILASA has a clear interest in helping capable students finish their studies.

How ILASA supports students

The ILASA Bursary helps students who study landscape architecture at accredited schools. These are the University of Cape Town, the University of Pretoria, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the Tshwane University of Technology. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students may apply. The programmes must be accredited by SACLAP, the South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession.

The bursary pays up to R40,000 per student. It is a partial award, not full funding. It is intended to cover costs such as registration and tuition fees, and in exceptional cases residence fees. Payment goes directly to the institution or service provider rather than to the student. Therefore, you should expect it to ease your costs rather than remove them entirely.

Selection weighs several things together. These include academic results, financial need, university requirements and the money available in that year. The institute also follows its own bursary policy.

What to know before applying

Published criteria in recent years have asked for South African citizenship and a minimum overall average of 60% in the previous year of study. Proof of financial need is also required. First-year applicants should check how ILASA treats school results, because rules can differ for new entrants. Always read the current notice for the full list.

Prepare your documents early. Typical requests include a certified ID, academic records, proof of registration or acceptance, and a statement of your finances. Application windows open once a year and are announced on the ILASA website and through the universities. Dates vary, so check the site rather than relying on last year's timeline.

There is no known work-back or bonding condition. ILASA is a membership body, not an employer, and it does not hire graduates. However, the institute hopes that bursars will become registered professionals and, in time, active members. Landscape architecture also opens doors in urban design, environmental planning and public works. If you love design and care about the outdoors, this bursary is worth a careful application.