Key facts
Domestic students course information. This course is currently not available to international students.
Entry is based on a bachelor qualification or 3 years of relevant work experience in the industry.
View full entry requirements- 1 trimester full-time
- Up to 2 years part-time
| Start Dates and Campus | Trimester 1 – February 2024 | Trimester 2 – June 2024 | Trimester 3 – October 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Armidale Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
| Sydney Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Course information
Download course brochure
Agriculture and food production present a unique set of challenges for business people who work in the area, such as climate change, sustainability, food safety and security, and globalisation.
Through UNE's Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness, you will develop specialist skills and knowledge that will complement your experience, equipped you to tackle the issues that affect food and agricultural production. Skilled agribusiness graduates are in demand in the workplace — you'll be positioned to take advantage of the opportunities.
Why study the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness with UNE?
Our flexible course will suit you if you have:
- an unrelated degree and are looking to move into the agribusiness sector
- industry experience and want to add to your skillset and gain relevant university-level qualifications
- a background in agribusiness and wish to enhance your skills.
Year after year, students award UNE 5-star ratings in The Good Universities Guide for Overall Experience and Student Support, so when you study with us, you know you are in good hands.
What makes our course different?
We emphasis the use and application of business and economic skills in agriculture and primary production in regional, national and international contexts. With this course, you will be able to:
- Tailor your studies to match your career goals with a wide range of units to choose from.
- Include work integrated learning and professional skills development with approved agribusiness institutions or participate in an overseas study tour as part of your studies.
- Complete your studies in as little as one trimester full time or spread your workload over up to two years if studying part time.
- Study online, giving you the flexibility to balance your studies with your work and personal commitments.
- You'll be studying with Australia's longest continuous provider of distance (now online) education.
Study online
Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.
Study on campus
Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.
* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.
Entry requirements
This course is offered under two admission rules.
Rule A: You have completed a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent).
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
Rule B: You have a minimum of three years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) relevant professional experience.*
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
* Relevant professional experience includes a position of responsibility in any agricultural or industry organisation/business. Relevant fields of experience include but are not limited to, the following:
- Agriculture
- Economics
- Finance
- Business
- Management
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
Some courses require you to provide documentary evidence, or interviews to support your application. The following documents are required to support your application:
- If you are applying for admission under Rule A, you must provide a certified academic transcript of your completed qualification.
- If you are applying for admission under Rule B, you must provide a Statement of Service from your employer/s on company letterhead. Learn about our Statement of Service requirements.
Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.
Individual Unit Advanced Standing
If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Course Structure (Program of Study) within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.
Please note: The maximum amount of Advanced Standing which can be granted towards this course is 12 credit points.
Course structure
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 24 credit points including at least 18 credit points at 400- or 500-level.
- Business and Economic Analysis of Chains and Networks (BUS501) – 6 credit points
- Farm and Resource Management (ECON223) – 6 credit points
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (ECON429) – 6 credit points
- Risk Management in Agribusiness (ECON434) – 6 credit points
- Price Analysis in Food and Fibre Markets (ECON435) – 6 credit points
- Benefit-Cost Analysis (ECON526) – 6 credit points
Complete 0 to 12 credit points from the following units:
Note: When a unit is offered at multiple levels you can only choose ONE unit.
Note: You may choose only ONE of the following units: OSSE500 or WORK500.
- Accounting and Finance for Business (AFM420) – 6 credit points
- Small Business Finance (AFM522) – 6 credit points
- Entrepreneurship (AFM524) – 6 credit points
- Special Topic (BUS496) – 6 credit points
- International Business (BUS502) – 6 credit points
- Special Topic (BUS596) – 6 credit points
- Innovation in Business (BUS599) – 6 credit points
- Introductory Econometrics (ECON371) – 6 credit points
- Applied Econometrics (ECON576) – 6 credit points
- Efficiency and Productivity Analysis (ECON577) – 6 credit points
- Strategic Planning and Sustainability (MM403) – 6 credit points
- Marketing Management (MM431) – 6 credit points
- Strategic Human Resource Management (MM439) – 6 credit points
- Organisational Leadership: Theory and Practice (MM545) – 6 credit points
- Overseas Study Experience (OSSE500) – 6 credit points
- Precision Agriculture (PA435) – 6 credit points
- Business Decision Making (QM365) – 6 credit points
- Analytics for Business Research (QM367) – 6 credit points
- Quantitative Techniques for Management (QM461) – 6 credit points
- Work Integrated Learning - Professional Skills Development (WORK500) – 6 credit points
See UNE Handbook for more details. The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course plans, exit awards, intensive schools, and work placement requirements.
Fees and scholarships
How much will it cost?
Estimated fees for your first year of study in this course are:
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full Fee | $14,788* |
| Commonwealth Supported Place (quotas apply) | $7,838* |
| Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time | $351 |
What are the course fee payment options?
Full Fee places are mostly in postgraduate coursework degrees. In a full fee place you pay the tuition fee set for your course, however you may be eligible for a FEE-HELP Loan to defer payment of your fees until you are earning above the threshold.
If you are enrolled in a Full Fee place and there is a direct connection between your work and your study, you may be able to claim your tuition fees as a tax deduction.
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a government subsidised place in a university course. The government pays part of your tuition fees, and you pay the remainder.
If you have a CSP in either an undergraduate or postgraduate (coursework) degree, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP Loan, which allows you to defer payment of your fees until you are earning above the threshold.
UNE scholarships are open for all to apply and offer financial help while you are studying. There are scholarships for students with high academic achievement, from rural areas, studying specific degrees, in disadvantaged groups, experiencing financial hardship, who excel at sport or want to live in a UNE residential college.
UNE scholarship applications are free and confidential. You may apply for more than one scholarship.
Your career
UNE’s Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness builds on your existing experience and qualifications to prepare you for more specialist positions in food and agribusiness industries, such as:
- agribusiness banking
- government departments and bureaus
- industry bodies such as Meat and Livestock Australia
- agribusiness firms
- grain trading
- investment banking.
The National Farmers’ Federation aims to increase Australia’s agricultural revenue to $100 billion by 2030, from $59 billion in 2019. Skilled agribusiness graduates are in demand to help achieve this goal, yet only 7 per cent of the agricultural sector holds tertiary qualifications, compared with 25 per cent of the overall Australian workforce according to KPMG’s Agricultural workforce digital capability framework report, released in 2019. There are five times more jobs available in Australia for agricultural graduates than there are people to fill these positions, KPMG’s report notes.
Course outcomes
- demonstrate specialised knowledge of agribusiness disciplinary concepts within selected areas of study;
- identify, critically evaluate and synthesise relevant information drawn from a range of sources;
- apply critical reasoning and advanced analytical skills to solve complex agribusiness problems and issues; and
- demonstrate proficiency in information transfer in written and oral formats at a professional level, either independently or working collaboratively.
- Knowledge of a Discipline
Students develop advanced knowledge in the area of agribusiness through lectures, tutorials, readings, online activities and interaction with unit coordinators. Knowledge will be assessed through a variety of assessment tasks such as assignments, examinations and report writing. This course emphasises the use and application of business and economic skills in regional, national and international contexts. A global perspective is important in understanding issues confronting agribusiness and associated industries in continuously changing economic, environmental, social and political environments.
- Communication Skills
Communication skills are essential in this course and students will develop both written and oral competency. These communication skills will be taught, practised and assessed in numerous activities including written assignments, report writing, oral presentations, and in-class and online discussions.
- Problem Solving
Students will combine discipline knowledge with information literacy skills to develop their adeptness in being able to apply critical thinking to identify problems and to formulate solutions, particularly through the application of advanced discipline knowledge to real-world issues.
- Information Literacy
Students will use various forms of media to obtain information and data for written assignments and other assessment tasks. Students will be able to use, critically analyse, interpret, construct and communicate information and data.
- Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility
Students are taught numerous dimensions of social responsibility in relation to agribusiness practices. Students will be able to acknowlege and respect the viewpoints and ideas of others, behave ethically, and appreciate the importance of the environment and sustainability.
- Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning skills are taught and practised in assessment tasks. The discipline knowledge, information literacy and problem solving skills obtained in this course equip students with the ability to understand, interpret and critically evaluate regional, national and international issues of relevance to agribusiness.
- Independence and Collaboration
Students will have worked independently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group to achieve common goals, solve problems, contribute specialist knowledge and contribute to group performance.
A five-star experience
Five Stars,
18 Years in a Row
UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience
Good Universities Guide 2007-2024
No.1 in NSW for
Student Experience
QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience
QILT Student Experience Survey
Five Stars for
Teaching Quality
UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality
Good Universities Guide 2024
Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
*The Good Universities Guide
Stay connected
Register your interest and we'll keep you updated
Why study with us?
UNE's outstanding reputation in agriculture has really contributed to the progression of my career in this industry.
How to apply
Preparing to apply
You should always provide the details of past or current studies in your application. You may also need to include documents to support your application.
The kind of documents you need will depend on:
- Your preferred course/s
- Your personal circumstances
Important Dates
Different application methods and courses can have different closing dates. To find your correct application method click the Apply Now button below. Please check the appropriate application website for opening and closing dates.
If you are applying online direct to UNE please see below for application dates.
| Intake | Application Closing Date | Trimester Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | 16 February 2024 | 26 February 2024 |
| Trimester 2 | 14 June 2024 | 24 June 2024 |
| Trimester 3 | 11 October 2024 | 21 October 2024 |
Important Notice for Prospective Students
For accurate, up-to-date details on entry requirements, course structure, and other essential information, please consult the UNE Student Handbook before applying or enrolling. The Handbook provides comprehensive guidance to assist in your decision-making process. We apologise for any inconvenience.
