The Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) at Lincoln University is a 3-year, full-time, 360-credit bachelor's degree combining commerce with agricultural systems, farm management and agribusiness. It is designed for students who want to develop both commercial/business skills and a strong understanding of farming and primary production. The programme includes academic study, real-world case studies, industry interaction, field trips, regional study tours and at least 30 weeks of practical farm/industry experience.

The supplied IPU website and IPU programme link do not publicly establish that IPU delivers or awards this Lincoln University qualification. Therefore, Lincoln University is used as the authoritative source for programme-specific information below.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Combines commerce and business knowledge with agriculture and primary production.
• Develops knowledge of farm systems management, agribusiness, animal production, plant production and soil production.
• Connects academic learning with real-world agricultural business situations through case studies, field trips and regional study tours.
• Develops skills relevant to the business and entrepreneurial side of land-based food production.
• Provides practical industry experience through at least 30 weeks of hands-on placements.
• Builds knowledge of agricultural risk, sustainability, food supply chains and innovative technologies.
• Can prepare students for commercial, financial, consulting and management careers throughout the agricultural sector.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme combines commerce courses with agricultural systems and production subjects.

Year 1 – Semester 1:

• LWST 114 – Introduction to Commercial Law – 15 credits
• ECON 113 – Economies and Markets – 15 credits
• MGMT 103 – Primary Industry Systems – 15 credits
• COMM 112 – Financial Information for Business – 15 credits.

Year 1 – Semester 2:

• COMM 111 – Introductory Statistics – 15 credits
• At least two courses selected from:
  • ANSC 105 – Animal Science – 15 credits
  • SOSC 106 – Soil Science I – 15 credits
  • PLSC 104 – Plant Science I – 15 credits
• Additional elective(s).

Year 2 – Semester 1:

• MGMT 201 – Principles of Agricultural Systems, or MGMT 214 – Horticultural Systems
• Suggested agricultural electives
• Additional electives.

Suggested Year 2 agricultural electives include:

• ANSC 213 – Livestock Production Science – 15 credits
• PLSC 204 – Plant Production Systems – 15 credits
• SOSC 224 – Soil Management – 15 credits.

Year 2 – Semester 2:

• MGMT 203 – Agricultural Systems and Sustainability – 15 credits
• MGMT 222 – The Agribusiness Environment – 15 credits
• MGMT 202 – Analysis of Agricultural Systems, or MGMT 216 – Horticultural Management Analysis
• Elective.

Year 3 – Semester 1:

• MGMT 316 – Evaluating Agricultural Systems – 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 317 – Strategic Management in Agricultural Systems – 15 credits
• Two electives.

Disciplines / Specialisations

This is a specialised Bachelor of Commerce focused on agriculture rather than a conventional general commerce degree.

Major areas covered include:

• Agricultural systems
• Farm management
• Agribusiness
• Agricultural sustainability
• Animal production
• Plant production
• Soil management
• Agricultural economics
• Business management
• Commercial law
• Financial information
• Statistics
• Agribusiness strategy
• Agricultural opportunity analysis
• Horticultural systems and management.

Practical Work Requirements

Practical experience is a compulsory component of the degree.

Students must complete at least 30 weeks of hands-on practical experience. This can be completed as:

• Two farm placements of 15 weeks each, or
• Two farm placements plus a further allied-industry placement of 10 weeks.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year full-time bachelor's degree.
• 360 credits.
• Specialised combination of commerce and agriculture.
• Strong connection with New Zealand's primary industries.
• Academic learning combined with case studies and industry interaction.
• Field trips and regional study tours.
• At least 30 weeks of practical farm/industry experience.
• Coverage of farm systems, agribusiness, animal, plant and soil production.
• Development of strategic management and commercial analysis skills.
• Opportunity for an overseas semester exchange.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln identifies career opportunities across the agricultural industry, including:

• Farm management
• Farm services
• Agricultural consulting
• Rural finance
• Rural accounting.

The combination of agriculture and commerce can also support career directions such as:

• Agribusiness management
• Agricultural banking
• Rural insurance
• Agricultural business analysis
• Farm consultancy
• Agricultural sales and marketing
• Primary-industry management
• Agricultural investment and finance
• Supply-chain and food-sector business roles.

Important programme-specific requirements include:

• Completion of 360 credits.
• Completion of all compulsory courses.
• At least 75 credits at 300 level.
• Completion of the required agricultural subject credits.
• Completion of all practical-work requirements.
• Competence in driving vehicles for the practical component.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for this full-time bachelor's degree.

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 have an acceptable scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Have genuine intentions to study.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Demonstrate that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.

Current Fee Paying Student Visa information:

• Cost: from NZD $850.
• Maximum length: up to 4 years.
• Processing: Immigration New Zealand currently states that 80% of applications are processed within 8.5 weeks.