Diploma in Agriculture
Course details
About the course
Grow your agricultural knowledge and farm management capabilities, so you can play a role helping New Zealand’s vital primary industry sector expand and succeed.
Lincoln University has been behind New Zealand’s agricultural and land-based industries for more than 150 years.
Our primary industry sector is now more important than ever, and is going through a period of rapid innovation and transformation.
Lincoln’s Diploma in Agriculture helps you expand your knowledge with a programme of eight integrated courses. These cover farm management and associated husbandries along with complementary skills including business and financial planning.
Regional study option
If you are based in Darfield or the surrounding areas, you may be able to study this programme at Darfield Rural College.
For more information see our Regional Diploma page.
Practical work
This one-year full-time study programme focuses on New Zealand agriculture, its management systems and resources.
It's advisable that when entering the diploma you have experience working in at least one agricultural or horticultural system. Having experience in the industry will help with the understanding of their course work.
You will be required to undertake 12 weeks practical work in addition to the taught programme on campus.
- Minimum of 12 weeks of hands-on practical experience (preferably full-time)
- On two different farm types
- With the shortest period being four weeks.
To complete the practical requirements successfully, you’ll need:
- Competence in driving vehicles (experience driving tractors or trucks is an advantage).
- The physical ability to work on farms without endangering yourself or others.
Download the Practical Work Handbook (PDF 1500 KB) for this diploma.
For more information on the practical aspects of study, email the Practical Work Co-ordinator or phone +64 3 423 0061.
About the provider
Lincoln University is one of the eight government universities in New Zealand. Established in 1878, it is governed by the Lincoln University Council.
Based in Canterbury, in the South Island of New Zealand, Lincoln offers a unique experience, a perfect balance of student and academic life and a host of recreation activities around the region.
The institution is rated the 15th best small university in the world by the QS World University Rankings. It is home to a diverse group of nearly 4,500 students who come from more than 80 different countries around the world.
Lincoln graduates have a 6 percent higher employment rate than those from other New Zealand universities and the number of students graduating from Lincoln is higher than the national average.
Students can choose from a wide range of specialist courses from three faculties and one division – the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce; the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences; the Faculty of Environment, Society and Design; and the University Studies and English Language Division.
Lincoln has dedicated itself towards undertaking meaningful research that makes a globally positive impact. Its sustainable approach and commitment towards handling climate change issues have attracted many postgraduate students studying at the institution.
The university also engages in other land-based research and hosts a range of research centres, including food research and innovation, land, environment and people, wildlife management and conservation, and soil and environmental research.
The university shares ties with leading organisations as well as research centres, which help students gain additional skills and knowledge through practical learning experiences.
The Lincoln University Students' Association (LUSA) is an active student body that governs a variety of clubs and organisations on campus.