Overview 2020
Location
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
View archived years for this course
For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur with a passion for agriculture?
Do you like the thought of growing your own business? Or becoming a leader in an industry that’s vital to the future of humanity?
A Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business) has been developed at the demand of industry and delivers a powerful combination of knowledge and skills in agricultural science, production and farm management, with the business world of marketing and economics.
You emerge from this degree with strong business acumen combined with practical agricultural knowledge that makes you ideally suited to running your own business, working in all levels of the supply chain, providing business development advice to industry, and much more!
Course objectives
Students will gain knowledge, understanding and skills in the principles and practices of agricultural production and how they contribute to practice change. There is an emphasis on understanding the value chain and business environment that is fundamental to the economic performance of agricultural industries and enterprises.
The course includes theory and practical activities around agricultural production, economics, marketing, finance and communication. Together these are used to understand the real-life and complex problems facing agricultural production, practice change and agribusiness.
Areas of study covered in this course include:
- Agribusiness
- Agricultural production and technology
- Animal science and principles of breeding
- Crop production
- Crop protection and microbiology
- Economics, finance and marketing
- Soil science
Practical experience
Tasmania is an agriculture powerhouse, punching well above our weight in terms of output volume, diversity of what we grow and create, and especially the quality of both our products and natural resources.
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture and Business) turns the agriculture industry into your classroom through a range of hands-on experiences including field trips to leading agricultural businesses in the state, and the opportunity for development of skills in practical classes. You will also gain valuable and highly relevant knowledge by hearing from industry guest lecturers.
Several of the advanced level units provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate self-directed learning, such as small group projects and industry placement.
Work Placement
Students are also encouraged to undertake 10 weeks of work experience. This will give you the chance to connect with agricultural businesses, get hands-on experience in the industry and develop networks with potential employers while studying, building valuable career connections before you even graduate.
University Farm and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)
Our research organisation, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, is a centre of excellence in agricultural research, development, extension and education. TIA maintains four farms around the State including dairy, vegetable and grain farming. These provide essential teaching and research links.
Our researchers, your lecturers, have developed collaborative links with scientific and business communities, including cooperative research centres in fields such as separation science, geological research, food safety, ocean monitoring, climate and ecosystems. This high-quality new thinking feeds into our teaching and will energise your student experience.
In 2015 the University of Tasmania was ranked as the top agricultural research institution in Australia*.
*Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2015 National Report
Overseas Exchange
Our international exchange program offers opportunities for a semester of study at universities around the world. Exchange can allow students to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. Participants may be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.
Find out more about Student Exchange.
Career outcomes
Agriculture teaches a broad range of skills from soils to climate, it gives you that good platform to hone your skills, you need to know the why behind everything you do.
The University of Tasmania collaborates closely with industry and organisations – both locally and internationally – to give you exciting, challenging opportunities to further your careers and to contribute to the local and global community.
We have been closely entwined with the Tasmanian state government for many years through the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), helping ensure best practice and cutting edge technology and production in all aspects of agribusiness.
Career Opportunities with Applied Science (Agriculture and Business)
This degree will provide you with a solid foundation for career opportunities in agribusiness-related consulting and management in the public or private sector.
In addition to direct employment in the agriculture sectors, there are a broad range of supporting industries that need graduates skilled in both agriculture and business:
- Rural lending and investment
- Product development
- Rural politics
- Commodity trading
- Small and medium enterprise management
- Government departments such as trade and industry
- Marketing
- Strategic management
- Transport logistics
- International development
- Professional farm management
- Exporting
- Financial management
- Agronomic and livestock sales
- Business consulting
- Agribusiness management
- Agribusiness banking
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership of the AG Institute Australia.
Course structure
Entry requirements
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Scholarships
Domestic Students
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards 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.
The Agricultural industry are desperate for graduates, and as a result there are currently more scholarships available for Agriculture students than any other discipline at the University of Tasmania! Over $300,000 in scholarships and bursaries are available, including:
- Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship ($4,000 per year for four years!)
- Bert Campbell Memorial Scholarship in Agriculture
- Blundstone Scholarship ($10,000 per year for three years!)
- Bruce Wall Scholarship ($5,000 per year for four years!)
- City of Devonport Lions Club Taste the Harvest Scholarship
- Horizon Scholarship ($5,000 per year for the duration of your degree!)
- Tasmanian Beef Industry Trust Scholarship in Agricultural Science
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
International students
There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries