Study the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 3) and learn about the factors influencing organic production, environments and its productivity.
This programme is delivered in partnership with The Biological Husbandry Unit (based at Lincoln University).
17 weeks full-time
Up to two years part-time
This programme is available for free under the Government's Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) for domestic students.
International Students
Learn about the factors influencing organic production, the biotic interactions which occur in organic production ecosystems, soil and ground preparation for organic production, and how to control for weeds, animal pest, and disease in an organic production activity.
The aims of the qualification are as follows:
Compulsory
COH100 Societal, environmental, and cultural factors influencing organic production philosophy (10 credits)This paper introduces factors which have an influential role on organic production and the role these have in the development of a philosophy with regards to organic production. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:
COH101 Biotic interactions within organic ecosystems (10 credits)This paper introduces factors which have an influential role on organic production and the role these have in the development of a philosophy with regards to organic production. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:
COH102 Management for successful organic primary production (10 credits)Students in this paper will apply the knowledge and skills regarding soil management, animal and plant pest management, and disease control to an organic primary production activity. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:
COH103 Holistic Integration of Organic Principles for Primary Production (10 Credits)This paper provides students with the knowledge necessary to develop an organic primary production plan which provides a holistic integration of organic principles.
COH104 Soil and ground preparation for organic production (5 credits)This paper provides a context for students to apply knowledge relevant to the application of organic production principles. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:
COH106 Weed, animal pest, and disease control in organic primary production (5 credits)This paper provides a context for students to apply knowledge relevant to the control of weeds, animal pests and diseases in an organic primary production activity. On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:
Graduates of this qualification are likely to be employed, or self-employed as an:
School Leavers
Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2 as follows:
Mature Applicants
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 and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They 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 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 - General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - 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 - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 3 (General) or (Workplace) b) 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
* 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
This programme of study is supported by the Biological Husbandry Unit Organic Farm located in Lincoln. Information about the Biological Husbandry Unit can be found at: https://www.theorganiccollege.org.nz/ or by calling their office at 03 325 3684
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?
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 3), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:
Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.
The assessments in this programme include short paragraph questions and practical activities. You will also need to draft a permaculture plan.
For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.
