Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness is designed for students seeking advanced, predominantly taught postgraduate study in agribusiness without a research component. It can normally be completed in one year full-time.
• The programme combines agricultural and business perspectives, with study covering international agri-food marketing, food and agribusiness strategy, research methods, farm and horticultural management, cooperative governance, agricultural consultancy, global food markets and trade, and environmental economic issues.
• Massey highlights its long history in agriculture and horticulture, dating back to 1927, and identifies the Centre for Farm Business Excellence as part of its expertise in agricultural and environmental systems.
• The qualification is particularly relevant to students who want to develop strategic, commercial and analytical skills for agriculture, food, fibre and related primary-industry businesses. Massey also notes growing demand for professional skills in the primary industries.
• Massey currently states that it is New Zealand’s No. 1 university for Agriculture and Forestry according to QS rankings. This is a university-level ranking claim rather than a ranking specifically of this diploma.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is flexible rather than having one fixed sequence of subjects. Students complete 120 credits at 700 level.

Compulsory-course group – choose 45 credits:

• 112702 International Agri-Food Marketing Strategies – 15 credits. Topics include international consumers, agri-food exports, external environment, terms of trade, transportation, packaging, documentation, payment methods, risk management, intercultural communication and negotiation.
• 112747 International Food and Agribusiness Strategies – 15 credits. Covers contemporary New Zealand and international agribusiness issues, strategy, structures and institutions, agricultural trade, environmental issues, food and fibre markets and supply chains, supported by case studies.
• 119729 Research Methods – 15 credits. Covers scientific foundations, ethics, scientific method, systems approaches, research-method selection, surveys, case studies, enterprise/project analysis, modelling, analysis and presentation of results, and research communication.

Elective-course group – at least 75 credits:

• 112743 Cooperative Governance and Management – 15 credits
• 119731 Topics in Agricultural Extension and Consultancy – 15 credits
• 119752 Advanced Farm and Horticultural Management – 15 credits
• 119791 Special Topic – 15 credits
• 119792 Special Topic – 15 credits
• 178740 Global Food Markets and Trade – 15 credits
• 178742 Environmental Economic Issues – 15 credits

Disciplines / Specialisations

• The Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness is awarded without a specialisation or endorsement.
• Students instead create a flexible programme by selecting courses from the approved schedule.

Key study areas represented in the current course schedule include:

• Agribusiness strategy
• International agri-food marketing
• Food and fibre supply chains
• Agricultural and horticultural management
• Agricultural extension and consultancy
• Cooperative governance and management
• Global food markets and trade
• Environmental economics
• Research methods

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120 credits.
• Normally one year full-time.
• Available at Manawat? campus and through distance/online study.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand.
• Predominantly taught programme with no research thesis/component as a core requirement.
• Flexible course selection rather than a fixed specialisation.
• All courses required for the diploma are at 700 level.
• Strong focus on agriculture, food, fibre, international trade, business strategy and primary industries.
• Students can potentially use the PGDipAgribus as preparation for further postgraduate study. Massey’s Master of Agribusiness regulations recognise a Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness with a B+ average or higher as one pathway for entry to the master's degree.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies growing demand for professional skills in the primary industries. The qualification can support career development in areas connected with agribusiness, food and fibre, agricultural management, consultancy, trade, marketing and related business functions.

Relevant career areas can include:

• Agribusiness management
• Agribusiness consulting
• Agricultural or horticultural business management
• Food and fibre marketing
• International agri-food trade
• Export and import
• Supply-chain and market-related roles
• Farm and horticultural management
• Agricultural extension and consultancy
• Cooperative management
• Business analysis and strategy
• Food-market and trade analysis

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme remains a 120-credit NZQF Level 8 postgraduate diploma and is awarded without specialisation.
• Massey currently warns that not all listed course options are offered every year, so students should confirm the actual course schedule for their intended intake.
• Applicants using the relevant-work-experience entry route must provide a CV.
• Applicants must submit official transcripts for studies undertaken at universities other than Massey.
• Students may be eligible for Merit or Distinction depending on Massey’s postgraduate progression rules and completion at the required standard.
• There is no programme-specific higher English requirement currently shown on the PGDipAgribus page, so the general postgraduate English standard applies.
• IPU's currently published programme listings do not show this Massey PGDipAgribus as an IPU programme; the supplied IPU link currently leads to IPU's Master of Global Business page. Therefore, IPU-specific partnership, application, fee or delivery information for this Massey qualification is Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student intending to study the PGDipAgribus on campus in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the student's individual circumstances.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an acceptable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Demonstrating genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Existing student-visa holders must also meet attendance and satisfactory academic-progress requirements.