Examination of key landscape characteristics and evaluation tools for assessing the impact of higher education campus landscapes on students’ well-being: A systematic review

University students encounter significant mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety and depression, alongside various physiological and social well-being issues during their transition from school to college. The significant time they spend on campus suggests that these environments have considerable potential to enhance the well-being dimensions of students. This study systematically reviews and examines key landscape characteristics and evaluation tools used to assess the impact of higher-education campus landscapes on students' well-being, despite numerous research findings supporting the positive effects of landscapes on the overall well-being of the general public. Following PRISMA guidelines, records from ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were screened, and 29 peer-reviewed studies were synthesised that explored links between higher-education landscapes and the psychological, physiological or social well-being of students. Studies were grouped by landscape type, including green, blue and grey spaces; by specific design characteristics such as plant species richness, canopy cover and circulation networks; and by the evaluation tools used to capture outcomes. Green spaces were the most examined setting and were consistently associated with improved mental health, enhanced mood and reduced stress. Current evaluation tools like the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, Profile of Mood States and WHOQOL-BREF primarily emphasise psychological well-being while neglecting physiological and social dimensions. This underscores the necessity for more comprehensive evaluation tools that can effectively capture the varied impacts of campus landscapes on well-being. Future research must prioritise understudied landscape design attributes such as biodiversity and soundscapes and develop multidimensional, campus-specific assessment tools that integrate psychological, physiological and social indicators. Addressing these gaps will yield a more comprehensive understanding of how campus landscapes can be optimised to improve students' overall well-being.