New Zealand Diploma in Agribusiness Management (Level 5) - SIT2LRN Distance Learning

AGB100 Business Planning for Agribusiness - (Level 5) 30 Credits

The student will develop knowledge and skills needed to prepare, manage and monitor a strategic business plan for an agribusiness. 

On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

1. Compile and integrate business information for an agribusiness and critically analyse the business performance of the agribusiness from a management perspective
2. Critically analyse business information for the management of an agribusiness and identify opportunities to manage improvements and risks for an agribusiness       
3. Prepare a strategic business plan for an agribusiness including identification and analysis of performance, identification and management of opportunities for improvement, management of business risk and sustainability, and action plans for managing, monitoring and reviewing the plan’s objectives for a minimum of four months.

AGB101 Financial Management for Agribusiness - (Level 5) 30 Credits

The student will develop knowledge and skills needed to manage the financial requirements of an agribusiness.

On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

1. Identify and analyse the management requirements for a financial plan for an agribusiness.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the New Zealand tax system applicable to the management of an agribusiness.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the management of capital requirements of an agribusiness.

AGB102 Human Resource Management for Agribusiness - (Level 5) 30 Credits

The student will develop knowledge and skills needed to manage staffing requirements in an agribusiness.

On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

1. Identify and analyse the employment requirements, termination procedures and professional communication processes needed to manage staffing in an agribusiness
2. Outline the processes for managing the recruitment, selection and induction of staff for an agribusiness.
3. Identify and evaluate strategies for managing the allocation of work, working relationships, social and cultural aspects of communications within teams, performance appraisals and staff training.
4. Analyse the requirements for a health and safety plan for managing the health and safety of an agribusiness.

AGB103 Resource Management and Sustainability in Agribusiness - (Level 5) 30 Credits

The student will develop knowledge and skills needed to manage natural and/or physical resources for agribusiness sustainability.

On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

1. Compile and analyse the physical resources relevant to the management of an agribusiness.
2. Outline the roles and responsibilities of central government, regional and district authorities relating to the management of an agribusiness.
3. Research and analyse current environmental management practices which enhance sustainability.
4. Evaluate sustainable and environmental management plans addressing limitations and deficiencies for the management of an agribusiness.

AGB104 Agribusiness Report - (Level 5) 30 Credits

• Prerequisite: AGB100, AGB101, AGB102, AGB103

The student will develop knowledge and skills needed to prepare an agribusiness report.

On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

1. Compile and analyse the strategies for organisational planning, management and reporting of an agribusiness.
2. Evaluate the opportunities for managing the improvement of an agribusiness.
3. Analyse the risk factors associated with the management of sustainable agribusiness development including environmental, economic and social sustainability.
4. Prepare an agribusiness report with executive summary and recommendations. 

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen, resident/permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost per credit of study undertaken, plus a non-refundable administration cost of $50 for each application processed, and the required textbook/s listed below. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Zero Fees Scheme – applies to NZ citizens and residents/permanent residents (residing in NZ). 2019 cost (NZ$) $7.00 per credit + admin cost $50 per application (e.g. $700 for 100 credit course) - includes GST

International Students $100 per credit

Payments must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice.

Withdrawals & Transfers

• Early withdrawals within the first week of the intake starting are entitled to a full refund of the Student Direct Material Costs but not the non-refundable administration cost of $50.
• Withdrawals have to be requested within 75% of the intake, withdrawals after the early withdrawal date are not eligible for a refund.
• Transfer requests have to be within the first two weeks of the intake starting and will incur a $50 transfer cost. Transfers can only occur to a subsequence intake within the same calendar year.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink. Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

On completion of the New Zealand Diploma in Agribusiness Management (Level 5), graduates will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Compile and integrate whole business information about an agribusiness to critically analyse performance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Manage the financial requirements of an agribusiness
• Manage staffing requirements in an agribusiness
• Manage natural and/or physical resources for agribusiness sustainability.

All applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in agribusiness management and have academic attributes which demonstrate that applicants have a reasonable likelihood of successful completion of the programme. It is recommended that learners have a minimum of three years of agribusiness experience, which may include previous training or qualifications.

Learners entering this programme should be in a position to access financial and production performance information about a specific business, and to manage production factors of a specific business.

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 5.5 with no band score lower than 5
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 4 (General) or (Employment)
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36
Language Cert - B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS and no less than Pass in each skill
Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than merit 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

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 of our website for further study and enrolment information.

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. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.

• I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
• I have read the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions section
• I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under Application Criteria)
• I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under Course Content)
• I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
• I have selected intake(s) (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
• I know my intended payment method
• If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed an approved purchase order to attach to my online application.  I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility
• I have completed and attached a cross credit form (if applying for a cross credit)
• New students – I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling under, or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application
• New students – I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates). These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience)
• I have computer access, an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

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?

• A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or 
• An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment

Instructions to help you with your application:

1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call
   0800 748 257 for further options.
3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student …

• Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling under (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it);
• If you do not have an active NSN, attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling under;
• If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
• Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA records of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

1. Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.  Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide.  Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

• You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks, however we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation
• Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment
• Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Agribusiness Management (Level 5), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve a minimum of 150 credits in accordance with the programme schedule.

The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Agribusiness Management (Level 5) full-time over one and a half years or part-time over five years.

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