New Zealand is a world leader in agriculture and Lincoln University has been producing skilled agricultural workers for more than 130 years.

The Diploma in Agriculture continues this tradition, giving students the opportunity to enhance their agricultural and farm management knowledge through a programme of eight integrated courses. These cover farm management, associated husbandries and other required skills, including the physical and financial aspects of business planning. The focus is on 'applied management' with a combined aim of producing graduates ready to operate in the professional agricultural environment.

This programme is about New Zealand agriculture, its resources and management systems, so it is essential that students entering the Dip.Agr. are familiar with, or have had, experience working in at least one of these systems.

Students study the Diploma in Agriculture on the Lincoln campus, or can study part-time through our Regional Diploma while living and working at home.

Practical Work

A period of Practical Work is a requirement of this qualification and full details are available in the Dip.Agr. Practical Work Handbook.

The minimum requirement is for a total of 12 weeks Practical Work (preferably full-time) on two different farm types, with the shortest period accepted being 4 weeks. At least 6 of these 12 weeks should be completed before the commencement of studies.
It is important that students in this programme have the following attributes to ensure successful completion of the Practical Work:

• Competence in driving vehicles (previous tractor or truck driving experience is an advantage)

• Physical ability for working on farms without endangering yourself or others.

One of the following:
• NCEA Level 2, a minimum of 40 credits over four subjects recognised by Lincoln University as suitable for entry (see the 'attachments' box further down for more information) to this diploma. The literacy and numeracy requirements for university entrance are also required. The list of subjects is reviewed periodically and applicants who have taken subjects other than those listed will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A maximum of 24 credits in any one subject will be counted towards the total. 

• Viet Nam High School Graduation Certificate (Bang Tot Ngiep Trung hoc Pho thong)

• Other Pathways