Bachelor of Agricultural Science – BAgSci

at Massey University

Structure of the Bachelor of Agricultural Science
 

• If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
• If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

Compulsory courses
You will take a selection of compulsory courses throughout the degree, most of which are in the first year. These include courses in introductory science, economics and agribusiness. This will equip you to go on to more advanced courses in the second and third years of study.
 

Practical work requirement
The practical work requirement consists of at least 26 weeks full-time work. This is completed by submission of two reports for assessment. Practical work is normally done during summer vacations throughout the degree. Summer jobs are readily available on farms, orchards and other rural enterprises.

Transition students
Majors are no longer available for this qualification. Transitioning students with a major may complete 60 credits of electives. Please refer to the regulations for this qualification for a list of courses for your major.

Year one
 

• 115113 Economics of Business
• 117153 Introduction to Animal Production in NZ
• 119120 Plants for Agriculture & Horticulture
• 119180 Introduction to Agribusiness
• 123103 Chemistry for Modern Sciences
• 161140 Agri-Statistics
• 189151 Principles of Soil Science
• 247111 Science and Sustainability for Agriculture and Horticulture

Year two
 

• 117201 Livestock Production Science
• 119258 Agricultural Systems
• 119270 Policy, Regulation & Government in Primary Industry
• 119281 Decision Tools for Primary Industries
• 138255 Applied Engineering in Agriculture and Horticulture Systems
• 189251 Soil Fertility & Fertilisers
• 283201 Pasture & Crop Agronomy
• Elective from selected degrees
• 119150 Practicum I
• 0 credits

Year three
 

• 300-level course from compulsory list
• 300-level course from compulsory list
• 300-level course from compulsory list
• 119373 Integrative Studies
• 119381 Decision-Making in Primary Industry
• Course from compulsory list
• Course from compulsory list
• Course from compulsory list
• 119250 Practicum II
• 0 credits

Courses are each worth 15 credits

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
 

Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.

English language requirements
If English is not your first language and the admission requirements were not completed at an educational institution where English is the medium of instruction, you need an IELTS of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 to enter this qualification.

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Careers and job opportunities
 

The industry is made up of a huge range of organisations, including farming, processing and marketing produce, logistics of product supply, as well as the associated service industries such as banking, company technical representatives and consultants. That means there is a huge range of careers on offer for those with the right skills.

Industries where agricultural science skills are utilised include:
 

• fertiliser
• seed
• banking
• biosecurity
• breeding
• consultancy
• agricultural production
• farm tourism
• management
• policy
• research and development
• sales and marketing
• teaching.