Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture (Z0D)

Overview  2024

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 0.5 Years, up to a maximum of 1 Year

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1, Semester 2
Launceston
Semester 1, Semester 2
Cradle Coast
Semester 1, Semester 2
Online
Semester 1, Semester 2

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

The Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture is your opportunity to learn how to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges in food production and sustainable farming – all while building a career in a fast-growing industry.

You’ll learn about historical developments of the agricultural and horticultural industries in Tasmania and Australia, as well as learn about current and future opportunities predicted for the industry. You’ll be introduced to key concepts in food and fibre production, such as supply chains, value chains, value adding, and quality assessment, and explore the challenges of pests, weeds, and diseases in primary production, including the impact on productivity, profit and market access. You’ll also learn about Tasmanian animal production systems and explore a variety of strategies that growers use to meet their production targets.

As part of this course, you’ll have the opportunity to attend excursions to Tasmanian commercial animal production enterprises, as well as hear from guest speakers in your practical tutorial sessions. This course also provides an opportunity for you to attend a 3.5 day field trip to the north-west of the state during the mid-semester break.

Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course, see Fees & scholarships for more information.

Please visit our Certificates page for answers to frequently asked questions about the Job Ready Certificates.

Information on Undergraduate Certificates beyond 2025

The Australian Government has currently determined that Undergraduate Certificates programs will not extend beyond 30 June 2025. This means that should they not be extended; you will need to complete all required units in 2024 to graduate with an Undergraduate Certificate before this deadline.

Should you not be able to complete all required units in 2024, we can support you to continue your study with us in another course where you will receive full credit for all the Undergraduate Certificate units completed so far. The alternate course options for this Undergraduate Certificate are listed in the Entry Requirements section below.

For the latest information and updates, please visit the Undergraduate Certificate FAQs page. If you have a question from there, please contact one of our friendly team members via UConnect.

Key contacts

Current student enrolment questions and advice UConnect
Course CoordinatorJodie Lee
  • 1 Identify and describe knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attributes required for developing a career in agriculture
  • 2 Apply agricultural concepts, processes, and strategies in contemporary agriculture work environments
  • 3 Reflect on contemporary issues in agriculture
  • Practice-based, experiential learning and portfolio development is a key component of the Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture. In order to develop key transferable practitioner skills, you will be exposed to authentic and engaging learning experiences designed to develop your understanding of work and the workplace. The work-based components will be tailored to individual student circumstances.

    If you are currently employed, you will be encouraged to apply and complete relevant assessments within your work environment. If you don't have access to a relevant work environment, you will be provided with authentic simulated experiences.

    You will be introduced to:

    1. Different methods of and approaches to practice;
    2. How issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace and;
    3. The role of reflection and deliberative thinking in developing workplace-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations.

    Career outcomes

    The Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture is your opportunity to kickstart an exciting career in an industry where jobs are in demand. The knowledge you gain studying agriculture could see you working all over the globe, in both government and private sectors, indoors, outdoors, in the lab and the field.

    Some of the strong-growth careers in the agricultural industry include Agricultural and Forestry Scientists, Agricultural Forestry and Horticultural Operators, Animal Attendants and Trainers, and Crop Farm Workers.

    By completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Agribusiness you will also have the opportunity to transition into further study, with full credit towards an Associate Degree in Agribusiness.

    Course structure

    Completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture requires 50 credit points including:

    Two (2) core units

    • ZAB119 Principles of Weed, Pest and Disease Management (Sem 1 or Sem 2)
    • ZAS118 Sustainability (Sem 1, Sem 2 or Summer School period 5 Week Session Jan B)

    Two (2) elective units, selected from the following,

    • KLA115 Sustainable Resource Management (Sem 1)
    • KLA120 Animal Production Systems (Sem 1)
    • ZAS112 Understanding Science (Sem 1)
    • KLA100 Food and Fibre Production in a Global Market (Sem 2)
    • KLA157 Crop Production System (Sem 2)
    • ZAB126 e-Agribusiness, Technology and Innovation (Sem 2)
       
    Students will study two core units

    In this unit you will explore the risks and challenges of pests, weeds and diseases in primary production, in terms of the relative impact on productivity, profitability and market access. You will also investigate various on-farm control methods that are used within…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    In this unit, you will be introduced to the concept of sustainability starting with the transformations necessary for achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a way that organises them into 6 logical groups. You will examine…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2
    Online5 Week Session Jan B

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Students will select two elective units from the following

    Approximately two thirds of Australia's agricultural commodities are exported each year, generating $50 billion. This unit provides an understanding of historical developments, current status and future opportunities and challenges of the dominant agricultural and horticultural industries in Tasmania and Australia.…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    The unit explores human population growth and the impending global food crisis by introducing agriculture as a managed ecosystem, from the earliest shifting cultivation systems to the most intensive systems currently practiced today. The ecological, economic and social sustainability of…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit provides an overview of the major Tasmanian animal production systems and how they fit within the broader Australian and worldwide contexts. Students use systems thinking to explore the variety of strategies that growers use meet their production targets…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    The unit provides students with an overview of intensive and extensive crop production and management. Study includes agro-ecological aspects of fruit, vegetable and grain crop production in Australia and the growth and development of the major crop species. Principles underlying…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit creates a practical awareness of e-enabled agribusiness and the use of technology in areas such as precision agriculture, livestock tracking and food traceability. You will explore the concepts of innovation including the innovation diffusion process and observe the…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit provides a multidisciplinary introduction to the nature of science and scientific knowledge, the methods of science, and the communication of science. You will encounter perspectives on the nature and role of science in society and examine what science…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Entry requirements

    We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option. 

    Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.

    Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)

    This course does not use ATAR as part of the admission process. To be an eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.

    Domestic applicants with higher education study

    To be eligible for an offer, you must have:

    • Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one unit of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points) at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level units completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any units, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
    • Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).

    Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study

    To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a completed Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline.

    Applications on the basis of work or life experience

    Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.

    Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

    This course is not available to international students. Please enquire online for advice on alternative course options.

    Passes in units in other incomplete courses in this University or another approved tertiary institution may be credited towards the undergraduate certificate and a course plan developed to detail the units required by the student to qualify for the undergraduate certificate. The maximum credit granted will be in accordance with the limits stated in the Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance.

    Students completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture will receive advanced standing for 50 credit points of the Associate Degree in Agribusiness and Bachelor of Agricultural Science.

    Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.

    Fees & scholarships

    Domestic students

    Options for this course

    Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.

    If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

    You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

    Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.

    Student contribution

    Student contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.

    Further information

    Detailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

    Scholarships

    Scholarships for domestic students

    We have a range of opportunities for students from all backgrounds.

    Whether you’re looking for financial support or relocation assistance, experiencing educational disadvantage or seeking recognition of academic or sporting achievement, we have a scholarship for you.

    Support scholarships are automatically assessed as part of your course application. Merit and diversity scholarship applications open in August.

    For more information, visit Domestic Scholarships.

    How can we help?

    Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

    Domestic
    13 8827 (13 UTAS)
    International
    +61 3 6226 6200
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

    Next steps