The world's population is expected to grow to 9.7 billion by 2050. Increasing global wealth will grow demand for clean, safe food and fibre production. At the same time, a changing climate and declining environmental health mean agriculture must become more sustainable.

The Bachelor of Agriculture is a degree that empowers you with the general, scientific and problem-solving abilities required to meet the high demand for skilled graduates in agriculture.

BE IN DEMAND

Agriculture is one of Australia’s fastest-growing industries and was the largest contributor to Australian economic growth in 2017. Graduates with degrees in agriculture are highly sought after, with around five jobs per graduate and a 90 per cent employment rate – that’s 12-15% higher than other degrees.

BE WORK-READY

Agriculture students graduate with sophisticated knowledge of agricultural production from scientific, economic, environmental and ethical points of view. If you wish to gain an understanding of how we can harness natural processes to sustainably feed our growing population, improve natural resource management and contribute to Australia’s growing agricultural industry, studies in Agriculture may be an ideal choice.

BE PART OF A WELL-CONNECTED ALUMNI NETWORK

You’ll have opportunities to grow your network via alumni at industry events and special guest lectures. In recent years our graduates have joined employers including Agriculture Victoria, NAB, ANZ, Fonterra, Murray Goulburn, Warakirri Cropping, Rural Bank, Rabo Bank, Stock and Land, Swan Hill Chemicals and Perfection Fresh.

APPLY SCIENCE TO ANIMAL HEALTH, FOOD PRODUCTION AND AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

The Bachelor of Agriculture is an applied science degree, designed to teach you how the physical, chemical and biological sciences impact on plant and animal growth, breeding and health. In first year, you will gain a broad understanding of agricultural science, before developing a deeper understanding of the issues in agriculture and how these drive agricultural businesses and decision-making.

BUILD 21ST CENTURY WORKPLACE SKILLS

Modern agricultural and scientific workplaces require high levels of communication and collaboration between people with specialised skills and different backgrounds. Employers seek workers with strong teamwork, communication, networking and leadership skills.

In the Bachelor of Agriculture, you’ll have opportunities to practise presenting problems, learning how to approach difficult workplace situations, and showcasing your work to industry. In third year, you will address issues important to the productivity and sustainability of agricultural industries individually and in collaboration with a team.

LEARN IN-CONTEXT

Most classes are taught at the University’s main campus in Parkville, with opportunities throughout the degree to study at our Dookie agricultural campus and working farm in the Goulburn Valley, about two hours’ drive north of Melbourne.

Students undertaking any of the majors may choose to spend Semester 2 of their second year living and studying at the Dookie campus. This option is known as the Dookie Semester, and will give you the opportunity to learn while immersed in an agricultural context.

Pathway options

Students who complete the Diploma in General Studies pathway program will be eligible for substantial credit towards their Bachelor of Agriculture degree.

Once you've graduated from this degree, you may choose to pursue your interest in agriculture and the environment by gaining a further graduate qualification in one of the following areas:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Food Science
• Veterinary Medicine

With important input from industry experts and potential employers, our curriculum focuses on developing graduate agricultural scientists job ready from day one.

The agricultural boom places agricultural science graduates in a position of high demand. Around 90 percent of graduates gain full-time employment four months after graduation, 12-15 percent higher than the average of all bachelors degrees. Positions are available in both cities and rural areas.

A range of interesting and diverse careers will be available to you, as well as graduate study options and research in food science, agribusiness, the agricultural sciences and a range of other fields.