Sustainable Aquaculture (Level 4)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 4 |
|---|
About the course
Build on your aquaculture knowledge with an online qualification that deepens your hatchery, maritime, and production skills - preparing you for hands-on work in this growing industry.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your aquaculture journey, this Level 4 qualification expands your knowledge of fish and shellfish production, biosecurity, hatchery processes, and maritime skills.
You’ll study online from anywhere in Aotearoa, with practical components that give you the chance to apply what you learn in real aquaculture settings. Your hatchery and production knowledge grows through the middle of the year, followed by a strong focus on practical, hands-on learning in the second half.
Throughout the programme, you will:
- Learn how to grow fish and shellfish ethically and with environmental care
- Build your understanding of biosecurity practices and safe operating procedures
- Strengthen your hatchery knowledge and production skills
- Gain maritime skills, including boating fundamentals, knots, navigation, and sea survival
- Complete a two-week work placement that provides invaluable industry experience
- Complete essential boating and maritime qualifications that support roles within aquaculture operations
This flexible online programme is designed for learners nationwide and can also be delivered directly in workplaces across Te Tauihu. See below for more information.
Study online
Online study
Study online from anywhere in New Zealand, with flexible learning that fits around your work or other commitments. You’ll complete most of your learning online throughout the year, and instead of a block course, you’ll take part in a two-week industry work placement where you’ll gain real hands-on experience in aquaculture operations and a direct pathway into aquaculture employment.
Expect to spend around12 hours a week on your studies.
Workplace delivery
We also offer flexible workplace-based training for aquaculture businesses that want to upskill their teams. These options are designed to minimise disruption to daily operations while supporting staff to build essential aquaculture knowledge and capabilities.
Contact Leila McComb-Kennedy directly to discuss on-the-job training options.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates of this programme will be able to:
- Apply ethical, environmentally responsible practices to support the care and production of fish and shellfish.
- Work safely and effectively in aquaculture environments, including basic farm maintenance and outdoor operational tasks.
- Understand key hatchery and production processes used across the New Zealand aquaculture industry.
- Apply biosecurity principles relevant to aquaculture workplaces.
- Use essential boating and maritime skills, including sea survival, knot tying, and basic navigation.
- Participate productively in aquaculture operations during atwo-week industry work placement.
Career pathways
This course aims to give you a pathway into the aquaculture industry. This may mean working on an oyster, salmon, or mussel farm. Or may involve work as a technician in a scientific research organisation.
If the boating part of the course is for you, it may open doors to more boating qualifications and maritime work.
If you have enjoyed the study, especially the science side, you may want to continue into the Bachelor of Aquaculture and Marine Conservation.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
New Zealand Certificate in Aquaculture (Level 3) with strands in Hatchery, Fish or Shellfish.
Alternative requirements
Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic Entry Requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, maybe approved for alternative entry. This may include Recognition of Prior Learning. Contact NMIT for advice.
English language requirements
If English is not the applicant’s first language they will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident may contact NMIT for an assessment.
- IELTS 5.0 Academic (no lower than 5.0 in any subtest)
Note: Applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.
Information for Applicants
- The programme has aspects that require a certain level of agility, physical strength and fitness. Applicants must be physically capable of completing all aspects of the programme and may be asked to provide evidence.
- The programme involves working in and around water – it is highly recommended that learners are able to swim.
- NMIT and industry require drug and alcohol-free training and work environment. Learners will be required to adhere to the workplace policies of any organization that they work for on their placements.
- Learners will be required to sign a declaration on entry to the programme stating any medical issues that NMIT needs to be aware of. This adheres to the Health and Safety in at Work Act 2015.
Selection
All enrolments on the programmes are at the discretion of the Curriculum Manager or delegate. Applicants need to be physically fit to complete aquaculture work, be able to swim and be able to pass drug and alcohol screening prior to Semester 2 work placement.
All applicants who fulfil the entry requirements will be accepted onto the programme until maximum learner numbers are reached.
Applicants may be required to complete an interview/hui which provides an opportunity for applicants to discuss their previous experience.
About the provider
At NMIT, our goal is to ensure you graduate work-ready and confident in your knowledge and skills to step into a successful career. Our wrap-around support services guide you through the process of learning, teaching you skills for life and ensuring your well-being is supported so you can focus on achieving your goals.
NMIT strives to make meaningful and positive change to the businesses and members in our community. For nearly 120 years, we have stood strong as a cornerstone for high-quality tertiary education and community engagement Te Tauihu (the Top of the South).
This means when you join NMIT, you become connected to a network of industry partners and employment opportunities that can open doors for you. Our passionate tutors across multiple study areas are highly regarded and influential in their chosen fields.
Whatever path you wish to pursue, we'll do what we can to help you reach your goal. Our internationally recognised qualifications are yours for the taking, and the journey to get them can be a rewarding and uplifting experience.