Associate Degree in Agribusiness (Z2A)

Overview  2024

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
Launceston
Semester 1
Cradle Coast
Semester 1
Online
Semester 1

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.

Entry requirements

Location

Hobart
Semester 1
Launceston
Semester 1
Cradle Coast
Semester 1
Online
Semester 1

Studying an Associate Degree in Agribusiness at the University of Tasmania.
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's designed to make university study less daunting and more practical.

The program is available for full-time and part-time study and is delivered through online study, tutorials, and practical workshops. Completing our Associate Degree in Agribusiness will give you:

  • a pathway to a great career in agriculture
  • solid 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's degree at the University of Tasmania

Key contacts

Current student enrolment questions and advice UConnect
Course CoordinatorJodie Lee
  • 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

    The Associate Degree in Agribusiness will help you 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. Career opportunities exist both within the agriculture industry, and sectors and occupations that are connected through agribusiness. These include:

    • 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

    The Associate Degree in Agribusiness comprises 16 x 12.5 credit point units:

    - 6 x core units (75 credit points) at introductory level

    - 6 x core units (75 credit points) at intermediate level

    - 4 x electives (50 credit points)

    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
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

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

    This unit will provide you with a practical understanding of operational budgeting and financial decision making, as well as other financial concepts, practices and tools used to measure and assess the financial performance of an organisation. The use of practical…

    Credit Points: 12.5

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

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

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

    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 used within…

    Credit Points: 12.5

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

    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
    OnlineSemester 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, as they relate to agricultural production systems. Processes explored will include biogeochemical cycles, photosynthesis, respiration, energy flows and transfer of nutrients. You will learn about…

    Credit Points: 12.5

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

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

    In this unit you will examine human impacts of agricultural production on ecosystem services, ecosystem functions and biodiversity. You will also learn how these services interact with agricultural production in relation to biosecurity, food security, and land management. You will…

    Credit Points: 12.5

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

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

    In this unit you will learn how soil characteristics including physical, chemical and biological properties underpin and inform the development and implementation of soil management strategies. You will  investigate how soil health, plant productivity and ecosystem services can be influenced…

    Credit Points: 12.5

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

    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
    OnlineSemester 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
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

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

    Select four of the following

    We want your study experience with us to be as smooth as possible and we know that choosing from lists and lists of electives can sometimes be overwhelming!

    The guides and links below are presented to help you navigate all of these options and find the electives that are best for you.

    Find the answer to your question - ASK US

    What are electives?

    How do I enrol?

    My enrolment in the Student Portal

    Please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team at UConnect if you need any help.

    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 Health, Business, Science and the Creative Arts. Alternatively, you can deepen your engagement with specific subject areas, for example, by completing additional units in the same discipline as your major or related fields. You can also use this space to complete an optional 2nd major which may be a 2nd major from your current course or a major from another course*. Please contact U.Connect@utas.edu.au if you need more information or if you want to add a 2nd major to your study plan. *Some exclusions apply. Not all majors can be taken by students in different courses.

    Entry requirements

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

    Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.

    Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)

    This course does not use ATAR as part of the admission process. To be an eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.

    Domestic applicants with higher education study

    To be eligible for an offer, you must have:

    • Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one unit of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level units completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any units, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
    • Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).

    Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study

    To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline.

    Applications on the basis of work or life experience

    Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.

    Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

    All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.

    English Language Requirements

    This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.0, with no individual band less than 5.5, or a PTE Academic score of 50, with no score lower than 42 or equivalent.

    For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

    General Entry Requirements

    Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th year of education in Australia.

    Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the “For Domestic Students” section of the entry requirements on this page.

    You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:

    • Completion of an equivalent AQF Certificate III or above; or 
    • Complete or incomplete (minimum 12.5 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Diploma level or higher

    If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.

    Course Specific Requirements

    This course does not have any course specific requirements.

    Passes in units in other incomplete courses in this University or another approved tertiary institution may be credited towards the associate degree and a course plan developed to detail the units required by the student to qualify for the associate degree.

    How to apply for credit

    You can apply for a credit/advanced standing as part of the online application process.

    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. Students wishing to articulate from the Associate Degree in Agribusiness into a University of Tasmania Bachelor course may be eligible for credit, 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

    Options for this course

    Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.

    If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

    You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

    Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.

    Student contribution

    Student contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.

    Further information

    Detailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

    International students

    2024 Total Course Fee (international students): $55,454 AUD*.

    Course cost based on a rate of $27,250 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

    Scholarships for domestic students

    We have a range of opportunities for students from all backgrounds.

    Whether you’re looking for financial support or relocation assistance, experiencing educational disadvantage or seeking recognition of academic or sporting achievement, we have a scholarship for you.

    International students completing years 11 and 12 onshore in Australia can also apply for the same scholarships available to domestic students, so long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

    Support scholarships are automatically assessed as part of your course application. Merit and diversity scholarship applications open in August.

    For more information, visit Domestic Scholarships.

    Scholarships for international students

    We offer many scholarships for international students. They can be awarded on merit or to provide access to university. Our scholarships can help you with your fees or with your move to Tasmania.

    For more information, visit International Scholarships.

    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
    13 8827 (13 UTAS)
    International
    +61 3 6226 6200
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

    Next steps