New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3) with strands in Dairy Farming and Meat and or Fibre

Course details

New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3) with strands in Dairy Farming and Meat and or Fibre
NZQF Level 3

About the course

Gain the practical skills employers are looking for. Learn the fundamentals of livestock farming, animal health, pasture management, and farm operations, with specialised pathways in Dairy Farming or Meat and Fibre production.

The purpose of this qualification is to provide pastoral livestock farming sectors with individuals who have the skills and knowledge to carry out a range of core tasks relevant to either dairy or meat and/or fibre farming.

This qualification is stranded to recognise the specific skills and knowledge required by the pastoral livestock farming sectors.   The livestock farming industry will benefit by having staff that are able to carry out tasks in a safe, appropriate and effective manner.

This qualification is targeted at people who either have some experience, or who have a desire to work, in the pastoral farming industry, who want to develop their skills and knowledge in dairy farming meat farming and/or fibre farming.   Graduates will be capable of working under limited supervision with responsibility for work outcomes.

Entry requirements

Applicants under 20 years must have:

  • NCEA level 1 in English (or equivalent)
  • Driver’s licence (minimum of restricted Class 1 (car) licence)
  • Suitable physical capability to complete manual tasks
  • Be employed in the farming industry or be willing to carry out industry experience on farm.

Applicants over 20 years:

  • Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme.
  • Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at level 2 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years.
  • Applicants over 20 years are also required to hold a driver’s licence (minimum restricted Class 1 (car) licence) and have suitable physical capacity to complete manual tasks.

Applicants may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

 

English Language Entry Criteria

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following: 

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or an International Baccalaureate Diploma 

or Cambridge A¬ level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; 

or Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), 

or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL); 

or Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and

the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; 

or Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; 

or Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States 

or Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment Certificate at Level 3 IELTS test 

- General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) where the test was carried out prior to 1 October 2017 

- Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14) Cambridge English Examination – B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 154. 

No less than 154 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests 

NZCEL Level 3 (General) or (Workplace)Level 3 (General) 

Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36 

Language Cert - B1 Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than PASS in each skill 

Trinity ISE - ISE I with no less than distinction in any band

*This course is not available to international students.

About the provider

Join one of New Zealand's top agricultural training providers and get hands-on experience that sets you up for success in the industry.

At Telford, we offer a hands-on learning experience like no other, preparing you for the challenges and rewards of the agricultural sector. Whether you’re interested in farming, equine, or land-based trades, our industry-leading courses provide you with the skills and real-world experience to stand out. With 2026 enrolments now open, take the first step toward a rewarding career by joining one of New Zealand’s top agricultural training providers. Apply today and start shaping your future!

  • 856 hectares of active farmland
  • Hands-on Practical Training & Learning
  • Blended Delivery and On-Campus Courses

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