Overview (2027)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 2 years, up to a maximum of 5 years.
Location
CRICOS: 106832A
Duration
Minimum 2 years, up to a maximum of 5 years.
Location
Fatimah Umatiya
Master of Agriculture and Food Science Graduate
The Master of Agriculture and Food Sciences (Specialisation) course provides graduates with advanced contemporary knowledge in agricultural and food sciences.
You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge to address contemporary challenges and support sustainable agricultural growth and innovative food production. This course also equips you to contribute to the University’s strategic goal of enhancing processes and sustainability outcomes in Tasmania’s blue and green economies.
Watch our course information webinar
Thinking of studying this course and want to learn more? This webinar explores course structures, career opportunities, and the student experience to support your study journey.
- 1 Address complex problems in agricultural and food systems by critically analysing recent developments in theory and practice from the core sciences, business and agriculture.
- 2 Use scientific skills and approaches to advance disciplinary knowledge and inform decision making in agriculture and food workplace contexts.
- 3 Facilitate adoption of innovative, sustainable and profitable practices in agriculture and food systems by evaluating and communicating relevant knowledge to diverse stakeholders.
- 4 Design and conduct independent investigations using appropriate methodologies and processes specific to the discipline.
- 5 Advance the adoption of ethical, responsible, respectful and safe work practices that adhere to relevant regulatory and professional frameworks.
This course immerses you in practical learning experiences through both laboratory work and placements on agricultural enterprises. Our strong relationships with grazing, seed-growing, and horticultural enterprises allow for real-world field trips during your studies. These field trips could involve tasks like monitoring farm water usage, exploring innovative irrigation systems and technology, or gaining hands-on experience in dairy farm operations.
Course structure
The Master of Agriculture and Food Sciences is a two-year course which students can enter with a cognate or non-cognate degree.
The course comprises of:
- Four core units worth a total of 50 credit points, to be completed as part of the transition semester
- A specialisation comprising of six units, worth 75 credit points. Students can choose one of three specialisations:
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems
- Crop Science and Plant Health
- Food Microbiology
- A research pathway or professional pathway worth 75 credit points. Threshold criteria apply for entry into the research pathway.
Food production, access, use and resilience of supply in globally diverse contexts will be discussed and investigated. Cases studies will be explored from Africa, Asia, Europe, America and Australia to illustrate the complexity and diversity in the production of and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 |  |  |  | |
- Key:
- On-campus
Off-Campus- International students
- Domestic students
This unit equips students with the skills to undertake scientific investigations essential to agricultural and food research. The unit follows a logical progression from understanding the key principles of scientific methodology to crafting a well-defined research hypothesis. Students then explore…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit equips students with the skills they need to conduct a detailed analysis of an industry and use this analysis to identify and communicate potential market or technical innovations with a variety of target audiences. These target audiences might…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit is an assignment-based unit in which you will explore a particular aspect of agriculture, food science or microbiology in detail through the production of a review of the scientific literature in that area. The topic is chosen through…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KLA483 Academic Skills for Agri-food Research
This specialisation includes six units (worth 75 credit points) that are focussed on improving crop production outcomes and support decision making for plant health and biosecurity.
The unit explores theoretical and practical technologies and innovations applicable to agricultural production systems. These technologies and innovations address current productivity and sustainability challenges and include topics such as technologies and innovations for precision farming and irrigation management. Students will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KLA533 Agricultural Technology and Innovation
Agricultural Landscape Systems focuses on assessing land for sustainable and profitable production. The unit involves desk-top (web searches), field (soil pits, geophysics) and minor laboratory-based assessment of the soils, landforms, climate, hydrology, vegetation and geology of a farm in Tasmania. …
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Examines the status of agronomy, including developments in breeding, physiology and management. Farming systems research is also examined through a study of topics such as seasonal forecasting and climate change, crop sequence, crop simulation modelling and precision farming. Practical work…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit develops understanding of the principles and practical skills used to manage agricultural pests, including weeds, insects and plant diseases. The unit builds capabilities relevant to the day-to-day role of an agronomist, including weed identification, pest and disease monitoring,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
The objective of the unit is to provide students with a detailed understanding of key physiological processes underlying horticultural crop production and post-harvest management practices that are designed to provide products desired by the market.The breadth of horticulture is considered…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Insects are central to the functioning of natural and agricultural ecosystems, acting as pollinators, predators, herbivores and prey, while also responding rapidly to environmental change. In this unit, you will explore five contemporary areas of insect ecology and behaviour: reproduction,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
The focus of this unit is on advanced topics of plant disease biology and management. Concepts will be illustrated with diseases caused by viral and virus-like agents, phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi in agricultural and horticultural systems. Topics include infection biology,…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit provides students with advance knowledge of mechanisms of plant function, from the molecular to the whole plant level. The broad range of fundamental processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, plant water relations, stomata physiology, mineral nutrition, plant hormone functions,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This specialisation includes six units (worth 75 credit points) that are focused on the use of microorganisms in food production and the control of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms.
Note: Semester 1 intake, only.
Traditional approaches to food safety assurance are failing to keep up with the modern food industry. In response, and to harmonise international trade in food, food safety management is moving to a "risk-based approach that relies strongly on synthesis of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Maintenance of food security and public health requires vigilance in the food supply chain based on knowledge of the physiology, ecology and epidemiology of food-borne pathogens including bacteria, viruses and parasites. This unit focuses on enhancing depth of knowledge of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit aims to provide Master of Agriculture and Food Sciences students with the knowledge of the roles of microorganisms in the production, deterioration and safety of foods, with a strong focus on ecological and physiological perspectives. It examines how…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Microorganisms, though invisibly small, collectively make up the majority of the living matter on Earth and have profound influences on many aspects of our lives. This unit will draw on contemporary, real-world examples to explore the influence and impact of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Tasmania has a growing reputation as a gourmet paradise, with high quality primary products and a growing fermented food and drink industry. In this unit, students will learn about the full production life cycle for fermented food and drink, from…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms- how they work and their role in our world and can tell us much about the origin and history of life. Microorganisms drive essential nutrient and chemical cycles that support life, cause infectious diseases…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This specialisation includes six units (worth 75 credit points) that are focussed on sustainable practices in livestock farming and landscapes.
The unit explores theoretical and practical technologies and innovations applicable to agricultural production systems. These technologies and innovations address current productivity and sustainability challenges and include topics such as technologies and innovations for precision farming and irrigation management. Students will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KLA533 Agricultural Technology and Innovation
Agricultural Landscape Systems focuses on assessing land for sustainable and profitable production. The unit involves desk-top (web searches), field (soil pits, geophysics) and minor laboratory-based assessment of the soils, landforms, climate, hydrology, vegetation and geology of a farm in Tasmania. …
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In this interdisciplinary unit, students are introduced to systems thinking and practice in a farming context. Systems approaches are used to explore how broader social, cultural, political, economic and ecological factors influence farming. Using local and international case studies, students…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit develops understanding of the principles and practical skills used to manage agricultural pests, including weeds, insects and plant diseases. The unit builds capabilities relevant to the day-to-day role of an agronomist, including weed identification, pest and disease monitoring,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit aims to develop your understanding of key soil physical and chemical properties and processes, and your ability to relate these properties and processes to soil constraints, soil suitability, and agricultural management. It also focuses on building your ability…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit explores how animal science production can be expanded to meet future needs while maintaining social licence to operate and minimising climate impacts. Students will gain knowledge of the science underpinning aspects of modern animal production and develop an…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
The unit introduces the science underpinning pasture production and management and the link between pasture or other feedstuffs on animal digestion, feed and nutrient utilisation and productive performance. In the practical classes, students are given the opportunity to perform pasture assessment and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
The unit will explore the difference between leadership and management and what is required to lead individuals and agricultural teams. It will also examine team leadership and management, the development of a positive organisational culture, and employment relations and employment…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Block 1 | | | | |
| Block 3 | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In this unit, students will explore aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship that can grow your business through the creation of new opportunities. Students will investigate disruptive and incremental innovations that may contribute to the development of increased efficiencies in production…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Block 2 | | | | |
| Block 4 | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KLA507 Agribusiness Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This is the capstone unit in the professional pathway for the Master of Agriculture and Food Science course. Students will engage with a series of case studies, selected from different areas of agriculture, for example, horticulture, animal production, post-harvest processing,…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Semester 2 | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In this unit, you will develop a proposal to address an industry problem or opportunity. Skills will be developed in compiling a business case or tender for a small project that addresses the industry topic. The proposal will include background…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Semester 2 | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Research Pathway
In the Master of Agriculture and Food Science Thesis, you will undertake an independent program of research under the supervision of a qualified staff member with expertise in the field of interest. In designing and delivering your research project you…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Semester 2 | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KLA711 Master of Agriculture and Food Science Thesis A
In the Master of Agriculture and Food Science Thesis, you will undertake an independent program of research under the supervision of a qualified staff member with expertise in the field of interest. In designing and delivering your research project you…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Semester 2 | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KLA714 Master of Agriculture and Food Science Thesis B
In this unit, you will, with assistance and supervision, develop a proposal for a small research project. Skills will be developed in identifying relevant research topics, appropriate funding bodies and developing projects. The proposal will include background to the proposed…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Semester 2 | | | | ||
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Entry requirements
2-year MAgFoodSci:
A Bachelor degree in a science related area, and some background (e.g. minor sequence) in sciences relevant to one of the specialisations, completed to a standard of achievement that is deemed acceptable by the College.
1.5-year MAgFoodSci:
A Bachelor degree in a science field with a major in Agricultural Science or Microbiology completed to a standard of achievement that is deemed acceptable by the College.
Note: a GPA of 75% is required for the purposes of admission.
Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects, and meet English language requirements to be eligible for an offer.
English Language Requirements
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.
English Language Requirements are: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0)
Course Specific Requirements
A Bachelor degree in a science related area, and some background (e.g. minor sequence) in sciences relevant to one of the specialisations, completed to a standard of achievement that is deemed acceptable by the College.
Note: a GPA of 75% is required for the purposes of admission.
Students in this course may be eligible for a reduction in the volume of learning of:
- up to 100 credit points if they have completed a Bachelor Honours (AQF 8) award in a cognate discipline; or
- up to 50 credit points if they have completed a Bachelor (AQF 7) award in a cognate discipline.
Articulation from: students who have completed a cognate Honours degree can be given recognition for prior learning of the entire transition study block and the research / project study block. These students only need to complete the remaining 100 credit points to be awarded the Masters.
Articulation to: graduates are eligible to apply for a Research Higher Degree program, including PhD.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
We are unable to provide an indicative fee based on previous enrolments as the current structure of this course is being delivered for the first time in 2027.
Your tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.
Detailed information for domestic students, including the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
HECS-HELP loans
You may 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 on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.
An important note on Youth Allowance and Austudy
The Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented master’s courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, this is not the case for all master’s courses. Please visit Scholarships, fees and costs for further information.
International students
2027 annual international student tuition fee: $38,250 AUD
The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.
Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 78,413 AUD.
This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.
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.
Domestic scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
International scholarships
The University of Tasmania offers a range of scholarships for international students, designed to recognise academic merit and support access to university study.
For many of our international scholarships, you will be automatically assessed when you submit your International Student Application, so no separate scholarship application is required. Some scholarships may require additional application steps. Explore our International Scholarships to learn more about available opportunities and application requirements.
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