Bachelor of Agriculture
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
Grow an exciting future at New Zealand’s leading land-based university, with 140 years of specialised know-how, and the most innovative minds, research and resources. Apply your learning and experiences to future-proofing a group of industries that feed and contribute to the wellbeing of seven billion people globally.
At Lincoln, we’ve been supporting agriculture and the land-based industries for longer than any other university in the Southern Hemisphere.
This degree expands your opportunities within agriculture, offering a detailed understanding of soil management, plant and animal production, and farming systems. It also provides the skills to deal with new challenges, change and innovation in the agricultural sectors.
See the Programme Structure below
How you’ll grow
- Become an expert in the workings of agriculture and production.
- Gain in-depth, up-to-the-minute knowledge of soil and its management, animal and plant science and production, and farming systems.
- Learn how to use farm-sourced data to design and implement improvements to land use, soil and nutrient management, plant and feed production, and animal production.
- Cultivate your experience with practical work on a farm, or in an allied industry of your choice.
Career opportunities
You'll be a strong candidate for in-demand roles in areas like soil consultancy, farm management, agronomy, environmental advisory, or farming technology.
Practical work
During your study, you’re expected to complete 28 weeks of paid full-time practical work, spending 10-14 weeks each on one dairy farm and one sheep or beef farm.
Any remaining time can be on a different farm or in an allied industry of your choice.
To complete the practical requirements successfully, you’ll need:
- Competence in driving vehicles (experience driving tractors or trucks is an advantage)
Some previous farming experience, is preferred, but not essential.
[Download the Practical Work Handbook [PDF 2.1MB]](/assets/Practical-work-handbook-Bachelor-of-AG-AGSci.pdf) for this degree.
For more information on the practical aspects of study, [email protected] or phone +64 3 423 0061.
Graduate Attributes
Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe the philosophical, scientific and ethical principles underlying science research.
- Describe the fundamental areas of agriculture and agricultural production.
- Critically discuss aspects of a wide range of agricultural science fields.
Skills
- Extrapolate from knowledge and principles to solve new problems.
- Locate, evaluate and use information in a range of contexts.
- Recognise personal limitations of knowledge about agriculture and agricultural science and to seek help when these limitations are met.
- Effectively and efficiently organise and manage time and resources.
- Recognise personal needs for health and identify appropriate support or healthcare.
- Practice critical thinking by weighing, evaluating and integrating new information.
- Manage uncertainty in scientific interpretation and decision-making and their application to agriculture.
- Solve problems and design experiments.
- Facilitate the learning experience of individuals, groups and communities, both within and beyond agriculture.
- Co-operate and communicate with colleagues, groups and communities, within and beyond the agriculture sector.
- Synthesise the scientific approach with agricultural practice.
Values
- Develop a commitment to the interdependence of research and scientific knowledge in agriculture.
- Develop a commitment to behaving in an ethical manner.
- Develop social responsibility through understanding that agriculture and food production contributes to human welfare.
- Appreciate the global perspective of agriculture, and the impact of the international community on New Zealand and New Zealand’s contribution to the international community at asocial and political level.
- Show familiarity with and an awareness of cultural issues, Maori and Pakeha perspectives and their implications for land use and land management.
- Maintain proper boundaries between personal and professional roles.
Entry requirements
University Entrance through NCEA or an approved, equivalent qualification.
If you have an overseas qualification, you can find out more about entry requirements here.
If English isn’t your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about English language requirements.
Recommended preparation
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Biology (highly recommended)
- Chemistry (highly recommended)
- English (highly recommended)
- Māori Studies
- Maths / Statistics (highly recommended)
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.