In today’s world agriculture has become more than just the practical, hands-on practice of farming, it is now regarded as big business. The Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness Management will help learners critically analyse strategic issues facing agricultural industries, develop and implement appropriate policies in the areas of operations and general management, understanding agribusiness economics, as well as identify future trends and potential issues within the industry.
17 weeks full-time,
up to three years part-time
Intakes are 17 weeks long
Intake 1: February
Intake 2: March
Intake 3: June
Intake 4: August
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Students
The Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness Management will help learners critically analyse strategic issues facing agricultural industries, develop and implement appropriate policies in the areas of operations and general management, understanding agribusiness economics, as well as identify future trends and potential issues within the industry.
The aim of the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness Management is to provide students who already have a degree, or extensive applicable experience, with theoretical and applied knowledge in a specialised area, which can be used in professional practice or further advanced study in this area.
Select from a range of papers to gain knowledge of agirbusiness industries, including livestock and crop sectors, health and safety, and sustainable practises. Understand the economics and learn the management skills to become a leader in the Agribusiness sector. Develop strategies to ensure a competative business, and understand the infuences shaping the future of the industry.Learn about policy and regulatory requirements and impacts, and undertake research into a topics of special interest.
The programme offers a blend of theoretical and practical learning, with an emphasis on applied knowledge and skill. High importance is placed on the development of agribusiness management skills (such as communication, presentation, interpersonal and problem solving skills) in addition to the development of specific agribusiness knowledge.
Compulsory Papers
MGT235 Agribusiness Economics (15 credits)
Students in this paper will explore the economic and policy issues associated with agricultural production, marketing, and resource use. Students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to apply agricultural and resource policy analyses to agricultural production and cost economics, farm management economics and agricultural marketing economics.
On completion of this paper the student will be able to:
MGT309 Relationships, Influence and Leadership (15 credits)
Students will be able to recognise and maximise their role in influencing decision makers and understand how to use influential tactics; they will understand some of the theories attached to influencing decision-making and know when to apply these to situations; leadership and its qualities as opposed to management, will be examined as will the relationship between leaders and those who seek to influence them.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:
MGT315 Agricultural and Resource Policy (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge of New Zealand agricultural, agri-environmental and resource policies, the role of a policy advisor and the theories behind government regulation to enable students to establish a framework to analyse agricultural and resource policies in both national and global contexts.
MGT316 Sustainable Agribusiness Practice (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge of environmental and social information required for the development of an agribusiness strategy which includes societal expectations, intergenerational issues, and business and industry life cycles, enabling students to undertake value chain analysis and evaluate eco-efficiency outcomes.
The aim of the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness Management is to provide students who already have a degree, or extensive applicable experience, with advanced theoretical and applied knowledge in a specialised field, which can be used in professional practice or further advanced study in this area.
Applicants must have obtained at least an undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Mature Applicants
Applicants must supply at least three years relevant work experience. Each mature applicant must provide their curriculum vitae detailing any relevant work experience and academic achievements. The Programme Manager will use this information to assess whether the applicant is likely to successfully complete the Graduate Diploma programme.
English Language Requirements
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
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 Language Cert - C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current
Level 6 papers must be completed before, or at the same time as, Level 7 papers unless approved by the programme manager. Papers at the same level may be studied in any order
Full time study
Full time study is completing 60 credits per intake. Students studying full time will complete the Graduate Diploma within two intakes (one year)
Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager’s discretion.
Part time study
The number of credits selected per intake will depend on work, family, and other commitments. The recommended maximum number of credits per intake, compared to working hours, are:
Cross Credit
If you have completed and passed the National Diploma in Business (Level 6) through SIT2LRN within the last 5 years, you may be able to have some of your study credited towards this programme.
Please contact SIT2LRN to discuss or download the cross credit application form. http://www.sit.ac.nz/Students/Academic-Support
Additional information
All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and Internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications.
All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment.
From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through. Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).
All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.
Progress reports are sent out 6-8 weeks after the end of each intake. We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section
Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.
What is the Zero Fees Scheme?
The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay and a non-refundable administration fee. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.
Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?
Instructions to help you with your application:
If you are a new student …
Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.
What happens next?
In order to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness Management, students will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the schedule of papers. The total credit value of the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness Management is 60 credits.
Please note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.
Assessments may include, but are not limited to: tests, assignments, case studies, presentations, reports, and final examinations.
For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.
Please note that textbooks need to be ordered at least 3-4 weeks prior to the commencement of your study
