Associate Degree in Agribusiness (Z2A)

Overview  2021

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 2 Years, up to a maximum of 5 Years

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1, Semester 2
Launceston
Semester 1, Semester 2
Cradle Coast
Semester 1, Semester 2
Distance Launceston
Semester 1, Semester 2

Commonwealth Supported places available

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 2 Years
Entry requirements

Location

Launceston
Semester 1, Semester 2

Studying an Associate Degree in Agribusiness at the University of Tasmania.
Due to the ongoing response to COVID-19, online study may replace some or all of your on-campus classes. We'll be sure to keep you informed of any changes.
The Associate Degree in Agribusiness is an industry-focused course that prepares people to become dynamic, creative, and adaptable practitioners with the skills and knowledge to ensure that the business of agriculture is profitable and sustainable in a modern economic climate. It is an ideal steppingstone for those currently working in agriculture who wish to move into leadership and management roles, or a great foundation for those wishing to enter the industry.

The program combines business management, planning, finance, people management, innovation, and primary production in an authentic learning approach, utilising applied, blended, and online interaction. The course content has been developed in consultation with industry experts and they are actively involved in its delivery.

A key feature of the course is the integrated learning approach that applies an array of experiential education opportunities such as site visits, field work, case studies, simulated work environments, and data-driven decision-making. This aims to enhance students’ problem solving, communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills by allowing them to ‘learn through practice’. It has been designed to make university study a little less daunting—and a lot more practical.

The program is available for full-time and part-time study and is delivered through a combination of online study, tutorials, and practical workshops

Completing our Associate Degree in Agribusiness will give you:

  • a pathway to a great career in agriculture
  • strong commercial awareness of agribusiness industries
  • practical skills to take straight into the workplace
  • opportunities to advance in your chosen field
  • the skills to help you meet personal career development goals
  • credit towards a Bachelor degree at the University of Tasmania

On completion of the Associate Degree in Agribusiness, graduates will be able to:

  1. Evaluate knowledge, skills, behaviours and attributes required to develop and enhance career opportunities in agribusiness
  2. Evaluate the relationship between business concepts and science theory for contemporary agriculture
  3. Reflect on and communicate practical management approaches for changing agribusiness environments
  4. Use cognitive, creative and technical skills to enable agribusiness to be agile and adaptable in digital and innovative landscapes
  5. Interpret and apply the principles of sustainable business practice through ethical, professional and collaborative conduct

Students are exposed to authentic and engaged learning experiences designed to develop their understanding of work and the workplace. In their first year of study, students are introduced to (i) different methods of and approaches to practice, (ii) how issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace and (iii) the role of reflection and deliberative thinking in developing workplace-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations. Students develop personal responsibility for and autonomy in developing their portfolio of practice (known as a Practice Manual). This is reflected in educational plans developed in consultation with their Academic Coaches and based on a method or approach to practice from, for example projects, data-driven decision making, case studies, field work, simulated environments, design thinking etc.

The second year of study builds on concepts of learning through practice from the diploma by introducing students to more complex learning experiences.

Students will be introduced to:

  • discipline-based skills and knowledge in dynamic practice situations. This will include authentic and purposeful, industry-related experiences
  • concepts of managing effective relationships and communicating with others
  • the development and use of adaptive leadership skills and how these skills relate to innovative and entrepreneurial practice
  • the nature of responsible, accountable and reflective workplace skills, and creative and critical thinking relevant to para-professional practice.
    Students will exercise self-awareness, initiative and judgement to manage yourself and professional relationships effectively. The application of tacit knowledge and capabilities will be reflected in a Practice Manual.

Career outcomes

Graduation from the Associate Degree in Agribusiness can provide an entry opportunity for those seeking work in an agribusiness, accelerate progression through a graduate's present agribusiness organisation, or open up new career paths and opportunities.

New to agribusiness and never worked in the industry before?

For those graduates new to agribusiness, roles including trainee positions, team leaders, field officers and researchers are likely.

Already working and want to fast track or leverage off past experience?

For those graduates already working in agriculture, the Associate Degree in Agribusiness should enable graduates to progress from assistant positions to managerial roles, lead a small team, become a field officer, research team member or salesperson and liaise better with suppliers and/ or customers.

Potential types of employers:
  • Upstream of the farm: suppliers of seed, fertiliser, chemicals, machinery, stockfeed, labour, finance, business advisory, transport, consultancy, and specialist services such as harvesting contractors.
  • Primary production: cropping, horticulture, animal based enterprises, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, wineries, farm-based tourism.
  • Downstream of the farm: processors and value-adders, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transport and storage operations, logistics, consultants.

Course structure

Completion of the Associate Degree in Agribusiness requires 200 credit points including:

  • A core (150 credit points)
  • Electives (50 credit points)

For assistance with the enrolment requirements for this course, please refer to the Course Planner (PDF 99.2KB).

If you are a new student needing help with your initial enrolment, please contact the Future Students team. If you are a continuing student, please contact UConnect.

The effective and efficient operation of business is human resource intensive. Strategies used to attract, motivate, manage and retain the right people are essential skills for all business managers for business success. This unit introduces you to how Human Resource…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 1
LauncestonSemester 1
Cradle CoastSemester 1

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

This unit will provide you with an understanding of financial concepts, practices and tools used to measure and assess the financial performance of a business within the business operating environment. Throughout the unit, case studies, tasks and simulations will develop…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 1
HobartSemester 2
LauncestonSemester 1
LauncestonSemester 2
Cradle CoastSemester 1
Cradle CoastSemester 2

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

In this unit you will explore the importance of agribusiness management plans, links with business strategy and how agribusiness managers can integrate the outputs of planning into business management and operations. Planning is an essential activity for agribusiness managers in…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 1
HobartSemester 2
LauncestonSemester 1
LauncestonSemester 2
Cradle CoastSemester 1
Cradle CoastSemester 2

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

In this unit, you will be introduced to mathematical and statistical methods for analysing scientific, business or technical data to inform and support decision-making. You will explore why data is needed and how it is used to make decisions, including…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 1
HobartSemester 2
LauncestonSemester 1
LauncestonSemester 2
Cradle CoastSemester 1
Cradle CoastSemester 2

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

In this unit you will be introduced to value chains and how they are managed in primary production to improve business performance. Value chain management (VCM) is an important concept that integrates supply chain components and processes with performance management,…

Credit Points: 12.5

This unit is currently unavailable.

In this unit you will explore the risks and challenges of pests, weeds and diseases in primary production, in terms of the relative impact on productivity, profitability and market access. You will also investigate various on-farm control methods that are…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 2
LauncestonSemester 2
Cradle CoastSemester 2

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

This unit will provide you with an understanding of biological, geological, chemical and physical processes, in an agricultural context (commercial food and fibre productions systems). Processes explored will include biogeochemical cycles, photosynthesis, respiration, energy flows and transfer of nutrients. You…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 1
LauncestonSemester 1
Cradle CoastSemester 1

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

In this unit you will explore the human impact of agricultural production on the services provided by the chemical, physical, biological and geological Earth systems. You will also be introduced to how these services can impact agricultural production in relation…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 1
LauncestonSemester 1
Cradle CoastSemester 1

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

In this unit you will learn the principles of crop production, which include management of growth media, plant water requirements, and cultivar choice. You will explore plant establishment, growth characteristics, crop nutrition, cultural management, and methods of crop monitoring to…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 2
LauncestonSemester 2
Cradle CoastSemester 2

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

In this unit you will discover how soil characteristics including plant nutrient availability, pH, electrical conductivity and physical and biological properties underpin and inform the development and implementation of soil management strategies. You will also investigate how soil health, plant…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 1
LauncestonSemester 1
Cradle CoastSemester 1

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

This unit creates a practical awareness of e-enabled agribusiness and the use of technology in areas such as precision agriculture, livestock tracking and food traceability. You will explore the concepts of innovation including the innovation diffusion process and observe the…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 2
LauncestonSemester 2
Cradle CoastSemester 2

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

This unit focuses on the critical components of animal management for profitability and sustainability of ruminant production systems. Topics will include animal health, welfare, fertility, genetics, feed budgeting and pasture management. You will investigate the main factors affecting ruminant health…

Credit Points: 12.5

LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
HobartSemester 2
LauncestonSemester 2
Cradle CoastSemester 2

Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

Electives

You will complete 50 credit points of Elective units in the Associate Degree in Agribusiness.Your electives can be used to add breadth to your degree, by exploring a variety of different subject areas from across the University in areas such as Arts, Business, Design, Science, and Information Communication Technologies . Alternatively, you can deepen your engagement with specific subject areas, for example, by completing additional units in the same discipline field. To search for possible Elective units, use the Unit Search tool to search by the discipline that you are interested in. You can complete any units marked as "Student Electives" which you meet the pre-requisites for.

Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.

Entry requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you’re not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

DOMESTIC APPLICANTS
Domestic Applicants who have recently completed secondary education

Completed the TCE (or equivalent)

Domestic Applicants with higher education study

  • Completed at least one undergraduate unit (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points).

Domestic Applicants with VET / TAFE study

  • A completed VET Certificate III or higher

Domestic Applicants with work and life experience:
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

Prerequisites
Nil

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.

We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Admissions information for international applicants, including English language requirements, is available from the International Future Students site. You can also enquire online to check your eligibility.

Students articulating into the Associate Degree in Agribusiness from a completed Undergraduate Certificate in Agribusiness will receive 50 credit points of advanced standing. Articulation from other courses will be in line with the University’s standard application for credit process.

Articulation into further study

Students wishing to articulate from the Associate Degree in Agribusiness into a University of Tasmania Bachelor course may be eligible for advanced standing, subject to the receiving College's discretion.

Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

International students

2021 Total Course Fee (international students): $50,875 AUD*.

Course cost based on a rate of $25,000 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).

* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.

International students

International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

Scholarships

Each year the University of Tasmania administers an estimated $7 million in scholarships to students from all walks of life, including those who have achieved high academic results; those from low socio-economic backgrounds; students with sporting ability; students undertaking overseas study; and students with a disability.

Tasmanian boot brand Blundstone have generously donated a scholarship that will be offered students commencing Year 1 of the Associate Degree in Agribusiness in 2018 who were educated in the Tasmanian State School system. The scholarship will support up to 20 students, and selection for the scholarship will be based on financial need and quality of written application, with a preference for students based in the North and North-West of Tasmania. For more information, visit the Blundstone Scholarship page.

For more information on scholarships and to view the full range of scholarships available to you, head to the Scholarships website.

Additional costs

In addition to course costs, students may be subject to other costs related to study at university including:

How can we help?

Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

Domestic
1300 363 864
International
+61 3 6226 6200
Email
Course.Info@utas.edu.au
Online
Online enquiries

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