Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Precision Agriculture at Lincoln University is a 180-credit taught master’s focused on applying digital technologies, data analysis and agricultural engineering to improve the productivity, sustainability and efficiency of agrifood production. It is particularly relevant for students interested in the intersection of agriculture, technology, data and environmental management.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced knowledge of precision agriculture technologies and their application to cropping, horticulture and livestock systems.
• Learn to use GPS, remote sensing, GIS and multi-thematic datasets for land-based production.
• Develop skills in agricultural data gathering, management, analysis and interpretation.
• Understand the use of sensors, algorithms and controllable agricultural equipment.
• Apply information technology to agricultural decision-making and environmental problem-solving.
• Gain practical experience through research and project-based learning.
• Develop skills relevant to the rapidly growing digital agriculture and agri-tech sectors.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current published structure includes the following compulsory courses:

• ENGN 604 Advanced Precision Agriculture – 20 credits
• ENGN 676 Agricultural Engineering – 20 credits
• ENGN 698 Research Essay – 20 credits
• ENGN 699 Research Placement – 20 credits
• ERST 606 Advanced Geographic Information Systems A – 20 credits
• COMP 636 Software Development – 40 credits.

Additional options include:

• PLSC 611A Plant and Crop Physiology – 20 credits
• ANSC 638 Topics in Advanced Animal Science – 20 credits
• SOSC 627 Advanced Soil Resources – 20 credits
• ERST 619 Earth Observation for Land Management – 20 credits.

Lincoln also lists COMP 6CV Computer Vision as a schedule of required courses pending approval, plus 20 credits from the approved 600-level master's course schedule to create a coherent programme of study. Course availability and final programme requirements should therefore be confirmed before enrolment.

Students who demonstrate sufficient academic ability, with approval from the relevant Faculty Dean, may substitute ENGN 698 and ENGN 699 with a 40-credit dissertation, ENGN 660.

Key academic topics include:

• Precision agriculture technologies
• Agricultural engineering
• GPS and remote sensing
• Geographic information systems
• Agricultural data analysis
• Software development
• Computer vision
• Crop and plant physiology
• Animal science
• Soil resources
• Earth observation
• Agricultural monitoring
• Environmental and economic impacts of precision agriculture.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not list separate formal named specialisations. Instead, students can build an area of focus through course selection and research/project work.

Relevant disciplines include:

• Precision agriculture
• Agricultural engineering
• Digital agriculture
• Geospatial science and GIS
• Computer science and software
• Crop and horticultural production
• Livestock production
• Soil and land resources
• Remote sensing and earth observation
• Agricultural environmental management
• Data-driven agricultural decision-making.

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit Level 9 master's qualification.
• 1 year full-time.
• Lincoln University Campus in Canterbury.
• Focused specifically on technology-enabled agriculture.
• Combines agriculture with engineering, computing, GIS and data technologies.
• Includes research essay and research placement components.
• Option to undertake a 40-credit dissertation subject to academic approval.
• Covers applications across cropping, horticulture and livestock systems.
• Develops technical, analytical and research capabilities.
• Includes practical application of digital technologies to real agricultural problems.

Career Outcomes

The qualification is designed to expand opportunities for digitally skilled professionals in primary industries, farming corporations and food-production organisations.

Potential career areas include:

• Precision agriculture specialist
• Agricultural technology specialist
• Agricultural data analyst
• Digital agriculture consultant
• Sustainable production manager
• Agricultural systems specialist
• GIS/geospatial analyst
• Agricultural technology project roles
• Strategic management
• Digital consultancy
• Agri-tech and food-production organisations
• Research and development roles
• Governance and policy-related positions.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student intending to study this programme physically in New Zealand, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to have, among other things:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of an applicable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Evidence of genuine intentions to study.
• Health and character requirements where applicable.
• Evidence of funds for, or a ticket for, leaving New Zealand at the end of the stay.