Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture
UndergraduateTAS-AGI-CTF2024
Learn how farmers can feed the world—sustainably
Considering a future in food and fibre? This course covers key concepts in crop and animal production. You’ll also explore larger ideas around science and sustainability. Get to know Australian agricultural and horticultural industries.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Identify and describe knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attributes required for developing a career in agriculture
- Apply agricultural concepts, processes, and strategies in contemporary agriculture work environments
- Reflect on contemporary issues in agriculture
The Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture is your opportunity to learn how to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges in food production and sustainable farming – all while building a career in a fast-growing industry.
You’ll learn about historical developments of the agricultural and horticultural industries in Tasmania and Australia, as well as learn about current and future opportunities predicted for the industry. You’ll be introduced to key concepts in food and fibre production, such as supply chains, value chains, value adding, and quality assessment, and explore the challenges of pests, weeds, and diseases in primary production, including the impact on productivity, profit and market access. You’ll also learn about Tasmanian animal production systems and explore a variety of strategies that growers use to meet their production targets.
As part of this program, you’ll have the opportunity to attend excursions to Tasmanian commercial animal production enterprises, as well as hear from guest speakers in your practical tutorial sessions. This program also provides an opportunity for you to attend a 3.5 day field trip to the north-west of the state during the mid-semester break.
Recommended study pattern
For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended.
Completion of 2 core subjects from the schedule below:
- TAS-ZAB119 Principles of Weed, Pest and Disease Management
- TAS-ZAS118 Sustainability
Completion of 2 elective subjects from the schedule below:
- TAS-KLA100 Food and Fibre Production in a Global Market
- TAS-KLA115 Sustainable Resource Management
- TAS-ZAB126 E-agribusiness, Technology and Innovation
- TAS-ZAS112 Understanding Science
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 4 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 6 months from commencement.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $3,350
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 20
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 19
Entry requirements
- Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one subject of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level subjects completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any subjects, 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).
Successful completion of one OUA open access subject of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.
Completed Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline
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 program.
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Study method requirements
Information on Undergraduate Certificates beyond 2025
The Australian Government has currently determined that Undergraduate Certificate programs will not extend beyond 30 June 2025. If you are enrolled in an Undergraduate Certificate, this means that you will need to complete all required units in 2024 to graduate before this deadline.
Should you not be able to complete all required units in 2024, we can support you to continue your study with us in the Diploma of Agribusiness OR Diploma of Applied Business OR Diploma of Applied Science, where you will receive full credit for all the Undergraduate Certificate units completed so far.
Career opportunities
The Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture is your opportunity to kickstart an exciting career in an industry where jobs are in demand. The knowledge you gain studying agriculture could see you working all over the globe, in both government and private sectors, indoors, outdoors, in the lab and the field.
Some of the strong-growth careers in the agricultural industry include Agricultural and Forestry Scientists, Agricultural Forestry and Horticultural Operators, Animal Attendants and Trainers, and Crop Farm Workers.
By completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Agribusiness you will also have the opportunity to transition into further study, with full credit towards a Diploma of Agribusiness, Diploma of Applied Business, or Diploma of Applied Science.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Agricultural and Forestry Scientists | $93K to $120K | Down 14.5% |
Agricultural Consultants | Over $120K | N/A^ |
Agricultural Technicians | N/A^ | Down 6.9% |
Crop Farmers | N/A^ | Down 15.5% |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
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You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
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