Are you involved in a primary industry and looking to learn more about sustainability? Would you like to learn more about how to work in a self-managing capacity by implementing practices and initiatives that will bring long-term benefits to your community and the environment? The New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production may be the qualification you've been looking for.
18 weeks full-time
Up to two years part-time
Intakes are 18 weeks long
2024 Intake 1: 29 January to 31 May - Applications Close 15 January 2024
2024 Intake 2: 25 March to 26 July - Applications have closed.
2024 Intake 3: 10 June to 11 October - Applications Close 27 May 2024
2024 Intake 4: 5 August to 6 December - Applications Close 22 July 2024
Fees Free
First year of tertiary study
Tuition Fee: $0 Check eligibility
SIT Zero Fees Scheme
(e.g. $700 for 100 credit course)
International Fees
$14583
Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options
The aims of the qualification are as follows:
*As of 01 January 2022, SIT2LRN has updated the paper codes to be in line with other Southern Institute of Technology’s qualifications. The paper name and content are the same.
Please ensure that you are selecting the correct papers when you enrol online as the application will now show the new paper codes.
Please see the table below for the old and new codes:
Part-time students must follow one of the study plans below:
Two intakes
Three intakes
Note: PIT404 and PIT405 must be done during the same intake as the papers involve implementing and monitoring plan.
PIT400 Production Standards (10 credits)This paper provides students with the knowledge of environmental standards and sustainable production standards employed in New Zealand relevant to sustainable primary production, in order for students to consider the application of these standards in own practice.
On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:
PIT401 Evaluating Land-Based System Compliance (10 credits)This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate a land-based system for compliance with a sustainable production standard.
PIT402 Sustainable Practices (10 credits)This paper provides students with the knowledge of sustainable practices in New Zealand relevant to sustainable primary production, in order for students to consider the application of these practices in own endeavours.
PIT403 Sustainable Practice Plans (10 credits)This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to complete a sustainable practice plan in accordance with a sustainable production standard relevant to a land-based production system.
PIT404 Sustainable Practice Implementation (20 credits)This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement a sustainable practice relevant to a sustainable production standard for a land-based production system.
PIT405 Sustainable Practice Monitoring (10 credits)This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to monitor, and report on, a sustainable practice relevant to a sustainable production standard for a land-based production system.
At the successful completion of this programme, graduates will have the required skills and knowledge to work effectively in a sustainable primary production area as a farmer, grower or assistant worker in the sector.
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 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2First 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 3 (Academic) b) Level 3 (Applied) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 Language Cert - B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than pass 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 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. 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 Sustainable Primary Production (Level 4), 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 typically include discussion board postings, practical assessments, written reports, and short paragraph questions.