The Postgraduate Diploma in Horticultural Science is a 120-credit, Level 8 postgraduate qualification at Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. It is designed to deepen students’ knowledge of horticultural science, production and related areas, with study covering areas such as horticultural production, processing, marketing, plant pathology, plant science, viticulture and oenology, and research. Lincoln states that the qualification can be completed as a stand-alone award or used as a pathway towards a master’s degree.

The IPU website and IPU Master of Global Business page supplied in the request do not publicly specify an IPU-specific pathway, partnership, fee arrangement or additional admission requirements for this Lincoln programme. Therefore, such details should be confirmed with IPU.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develop advanced knowledge of horticultural science and production.
• Study topics relevant to New Zealand’s internationally important horticulture industry.
• Explore horticultural production, processing, marketing, plant pathology and plant science.
• Gain exposure to viticulture and oenology and research-related study.
• Develop an understanding of how horticultural industries need to evolve to meet international-market requirements for quality produce.
• Gain exposure to Lincoln University’s international research projects.
• Build knowledge relevant to the horticultural industry's future competitiveness and sustainability.
• Complete the qualification as a stand-alone postgraduate award or potentially progress towards master's-level study.
• Lincoln describes its agriculture, horticulture and viticulture programmes as providing opportunities for practical work experience, including laboratory projects and assignments with private companies.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is normally a two-semester, full-time qualification.

Students must complete 120 credits from the course schedule corresponding to the relevant master's-degree regulations. The current programme page presents the structure as electives rather than prescribing a fixed list of six named subjects.

The published structure is:

First study semester:

• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Second study semester:

• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

The programme page specifically states that the required 120 credits are selected from the schedule of courses matching the relevant master's degree regulations.

Lincoln identifies the principal study areas covered by the qualification as:

• Horticultural production
• Horticultural processing
• Horticultural marketing
• Plant pathology
• Plant science
• Viticulture and oenology
• Research

The exact elective course titles and combination available to an individual student are not publicly specified on the programme page – please confirm with IPU/Lincoln before enrolment.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The qualification is centred on horticultural science, but students may build their study around different horticultural and plant-science areas through the available electives.

Relevant Lincoln specialisation areas include:

• Horticulture
• Plant science
• Horticultural production
• Plant pathology
• Viticulture and oenology
• Horticultural processing
• Horticultural marketing
• Agricultural science
• Food and plant-related research

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate qualification in horticultural science.
• Level 8.
• 120 credits.
• Normally 1 year full-time.
• Two-semester structure.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry.
• Lincoln University Campus.
• Elective-based course structure.
• Advanced horticultural science and production knowledge.
• Coverage of horticultural production, processing and marketing.
• Plant pathology and plant science.
• Exposure to viticulture and oenology.
• Research-related learning.
• Exposure to international research projects.
• Potential pathway towards a master's degree

Career Outcomes

The qualification can support careers in horticulture, plant science, production, processing, marketing and related land-based industries.

Potential career areas include:

• Horticultural production
• Horticultural management
• Plant science
• Plant health and pathology
• Horticultural research
• Crop production
• Horticultural processing
• Horticultural marketing
• Viticulture and wine-related industries
• Agribusiness
• Technical advisory roles
• Research and development
• Government and industry organisations

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this programme in New Zealand must hold a valid visa permitting study at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that a Student Visa application requires:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt
• Passport
• Digital photograph
• Proof of funds for living expenses of NZ$20,000 per year
• Evidence of funds for travel to the student's home country at the end of study, or an air ticket to the home country
• Visa application fee.

Immigration New Zealand may also request:

• Medical certificates
• Chest X-ray
• Police Certificate
• Additional information where applicable, including for students under 18.