Bachelor of Agricultural Science

Nurture a diverse knowledge of agriculture and food production with a broad and deep understanding of the science behind farming, animal production, plant production and soil and nutrient management. Learn how to apply the latest sustainability strategies, and the benefits this has on the paddock to plate journey. If you gain access to Honours, then you can further deepen your learning and practical skills with an original research project in a specific area of agricultural science or specialist farm management.

Lincoln University is the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest recognised specialist land-based university. The Bachelor of Agricultural Science is unique in being a four-year programme.

You will develop a broad set of advanced skills spanning not just soil and nutrient management, plant and animal production, and farming systems; but also selected advanced level courses in plant protection, genetics and breeding, sustainability, water resources and management, ecology, agroforestry, precision agriculture, biochemistry, resource management law, field research, seed technology and plant and animal physiology.

See the Programme Structure below

Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours)

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science can be awarded with Honours. Students are invited by the Dean to take the Honours option for their fourth year, and will typically have completed the sixth semester of study within the minimum time, with a cumulative GPA of 5 or higher for their last two years of study.

With the Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours), you will have the opportunity to undertake postgraduate courses along with a substantive research project. This expertise prepares you to work at the professional level in agriculture or an agribusiness, apply a science-based approach to agricultural production and agricultural landscape management, and face the challenges and opportunities of the agriculture industry.

Achieving a high class of Honours allows direct entry into PhD-level study.

[Find out about the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences Honours projects [PDF 308 KB]](/assets/AGLS-honours-projects-2026.pdf)

How you’ll grow

• Become an expert in the workings of agriculture and production, with a very diverse and advanced level scientific understanding of how the agriculture industry and production systems work.
• Expanding your worth with in-depth, up-to-the-minute knowledge of soil and its management, animal and plant science and production, farming systems and a diverse range of other sciences of importance to agriculture.
• Cultivate your expertise and experience through practical work on a farm or in an allied industry of your choice, plus potentially undertake your own novel agricultural research project.
• Become an expert in applying data from farms, the industry and research science to the improvement and sustainability of agricultural production systems.

Career opportunities

With a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University, you’ll be an attractive candidate for a rewarding career in Agriculture or Food-production, Consultancy, Research, Technical Development Roles, or Farm Management.

Practical work requirements

During your study, you’re expected to complete:

• 28 weeks of paid full-time practical work
• Minimum 10 weeks – maximum 14 weeks on one dairy farm
• Minimum 10 weeks – maximum 14 weeks on one sheep/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, contact the Practical Work Co-ordinator at [email protected] or phone +64 3 423 0061.

> I chose Lincoln’s Bachelor of Agricultural Science for the broad range of animal, soil, agronomy and farm management papers. They helped me customise my degree around on topics I was passionate about.

Becxs Bush

Bachelor of Agricultural Science Find out more about Becxs' journey at Lincoln.

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.