The Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) at Lincoln University is a three-year undergraduate degree combining horticultural science, business, agribusiness management and commercial decision-making. It is designed for students who want to move into management, advisory or governance roles in horticulture, food-related organisations and associated land-based industries. The programme combines classroom learning with substantial practical horticultural experience.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Combines commerce and business education with specialist horticultural knowledge.
• Prepares students for management roles within horticulture and food-related industries.
• Develops knowledge of biological production systems and the bio-physical environment relevant to horticulture.
• Builds understanding of how the horticultural industry operates and is managed.
• Develops the ability to analyse new technologies and innovative practices in horticulture.
• Teaches students to evaluate horticultural production, agribusiness management and marketing problems.
• Integrates social, economic, technical and biological perspectives when examining global horticultural systems.
• Provides substantial hands-on industry experience through a minimum of 30 weeks of practical work.
• Develops communication, analytical, problem-solving and management skills relevant to real-world horticultural businesses.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current indicative structure is as follows. Lincoln notes that the structure can vary according to elective choices and students should work with a course adviser when planning their degree.

Year 1 – Semester 1

• COMM 112 – Financial Information for Business – 15 credits
• ECON 113 – Economies and Markets – 15 credits
• HORT 107 – Introduction to Horticulture – 15 credits
• LWST 114 – Introduction to Commercial Law – 15 credits

Year 1 – Semester 2

• COMM 111 – Introductory Statistics – 15 credits
• MKTG 115 – Principles of Marketing – 15 credits
• SOSC 106 – Soil Science I – 15 credits
• PLSC 104 – Plant Science I – 15 credits.

Year 2 – Semester 1

• MGMT 214 – Horticultural Systems – 15 credits
• MGMT 106 – Global Food Systems – 15 credits
• HORT 222 – Principles of Propagation and Nursery – 15 credits
• One elective.

Year 2 – Semester 2

• MGMT 216 – Horticultural Management Analysis – 15 credits
• MGMT 222 – The Agribusiness Environment – 15 credits
• Two electives.

Year 3 – Semester 1

• BMGT 221 – Organisation and Human Resource Management – 15 credits
• MGMT 318 – Opportunity Analysis in Agricultural Systems – 15 credits
• Two electives.

Year 3 – Semester 2

• MGMT 340 – Agribusiness Strategic Management – 15 credits
• MGMT 344 – Strategic Management in Wine and Horticultural Business Systems – 15 credits
• Two electives.

Practical Work Requirement

Practical experience is a major component of this degree.

Students are required to complete at least 30 weeks of hands-on practical experience during their studies. This can be completed as:

• Two horticultural placements of 15 weeks each; or
• Two horticultural placements of 10 weeks each plus one allied placement of 10 weeks.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The main specialisation is Horticulture within the Bachelor of Commerce.

The degree combines:

• Horticulture
• Plant science
• Soil science
• Horticultural production systems
• Nursery and propagation
• Agribusiness
• Global food systems
• Marketing
• Economics
• Financial information
• Commercial law
• Human resource management
• Strategic management
• Agricultural systems
• Wine and horticultural business systems.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year full-time bachelor's degree.
• 360 credits.
• Specialist combination of commerce and horticulture.
• 30 weeks minimum practical industry experience.
• Focus on horticultural production, agribusiness and management.
• Strong coverage of food systems and horticultural business.
• Development of analytical and strategic-management skills.
• Exposure to technological innovation in horticulture.
• Opportunity to select electives.
• Potential additional-major options subject to course planning and approval.
• Preparation for management, advisory and governance careers.
• Lincoln University is specifically focused on land-based disciplines and offers extensive agriculture, horticulture and food-related study options. 

Career Outcomes

Lincoln states that graduates can be strong candidates for management and advisory positions in the horticultural industry and food-related organisations, with potential to progress into governance roles.

Potential career areas include:

• Horticultural business management
• Agribusiness management
• Horticultural advisory services
• Production management
• Horticultural marketing
• Food-sector management
• Supply-chain and commercial roles
• Strategic management
• Business development
• Industry governance
• Agricultural and horticultural consulting
• Nursery and production-business management.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest programme page currently lists the next start as 22 February 2027.

The most important special requirement is the practical-work component: students must complete at least 30 weeks of approved hands-on experience and submit two reports.

The 2026 Academic Calendar additionally states that students must complete approved practical work after leaving school before admission to the degree, subject to the university's requirements.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying this full-time bachelor's degree in New Zealand, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa, unless another visa category applies.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements.
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to study.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance for the required period.
• Show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.

The current Fee Paying Student Visa information states:

• Maximum visa duration: up to 4 years.
• Current application cost: from NZ$850.
• Processing time: 80% within 8.5 weeks.
• Study: full-time study on the approved course.
• Work: visa conditions may allow up to 25 hours per week while studying and full-time work during permitted holidays/scheduled breaks.