Rural Valuation – Bachelor of Agribusiness

Join an industry that is an integral part of New Zealand’s economy. Gain practical skills to contribute to the agribusiness sector through Massey’s Bachelor of Agribusiness (Rural Valuation).

Where you can study

Distance and online
Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand
Note: Not all listed subject course options are on offer every year. Some distance courses contain compulsory contact workshops.

Specialise in Rural Valuation for your Bachelor of Agribusiness at Massey

Massey’s Bachelor of Agribusiness (Rural Valuation) will help you build the skills you need to have a successful career in today’s rural property market. Whether it’s a dairy farm sale, estimation of orchard capital value, or getting a bank loan to purchase a new farm, almost every financial transaction involving land requires a valuation to support it.

You’ll learn about land-based systems and agribusiness. You’ll gain specialist valuation knowledge preparing you for opportunities in the rural property industry.

A relevant qualification

Visiting a wide range of farm properties is an integral part of the qualification. This is essential to the relevance of your study of farm management, investment and valuation. You’ll also learn the communication skills you’ll need to operate within the industry and to work effectively with future clients.

You will cover a range of topics relevant to rural valuation such as property markets, resource management, property law and building technology.

Practical experience while you study

During your degree you will gain a huge amount of practical experience. This experience will include at least 26 weeks of paid employment undertaken in agriculture and related sectors.

A growing, innovative industry

New Zealand’s economy is dominated by agriculture and food. It generates tens of billions in export earnings a year. International demand is predicted to continue to grow.

Relevant international knowledge

Massey’s Agribusiness qualification aligns itself with agribusiness industries throughout the world. This ensures our graduates have the skills and industry knowledge employers want today, and in the future.

A Bachelor of Agribusiness in Rural Valuation is a good fit if you:

  • are interested in the changing value of farmland
  • think you would enjoy working with farmers to enhance their business
  • would like to have a career associated with agriculture or horticulture.

Planning information

If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.

If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

Capstone course

‘Capstone’ courses are designed to be taken in your last year of study. This relies on you having completed the correct first and second year courses and ties your learning together. The capstone course for this qualification is 119373 Integrative Studies

Practical work requirement

There is a practical work requirement for this degree, consisting of at least 26 weeks full-time work. This is completed by submission of two reports for assessment. Practical work is normally done during summer vacations throughout the degree. Summer jobs are readily available on farms, orchards and other rural enterprises.

Course planning

Year One

115112 Accounting for Business
115113 Economics for Business
127100 Introduction to Property and Real Estate
117153 Introduction to Animal Production in New Zealand
119180 Introduction to Agribusiness
119120 Plants for Agriculture and Horticulture
247111 Science and Sustainability for Agriculture and Horticulture
189151 Principles of Soil Science

Year Two

112248 Food and Agribusiness Value Chains
115114 Finance Fundamentals
115211 Business Law
119150 Practicum I *
119281 Decision Tools for Primary Industries
127242 Introduction to Property Valuation
218102 Construction Technology & Services I

And two elective courses (maximum of one course at 100-level)

Year Three

119250 Practicum II*
155201 Law of Property
119381 Decision-Making in Primary Industry
119382 Opportunity Analysis in Primary Industry
127356 Rural Valuation
119373 Integrative Studies
127378 Property Economics and Planning

And two elective courses (must be 200-level or higher).

*26 weeks of relevant practical work (2 x 13 week blocks of full time work). Work to be completed the summer prior to writing the reports.

Minors

Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.

A minor must be in a different subject from your major.

A Bachelor of Agribusiness (Rural Valuation) with a minor

You may choose a minor from any University undergraduate degree that has recognised minors. If the minor is from another undergraduate degree, the regulations of that qualification will apply.

A Rural Valuation minor (for students who are studying a different major or degree)

If you are not studying a Bachelor of Agribusiness (Rural Valuation) and wish to complete a Rural Valuation minor see the Bachelor of Agribusiness regulations for the requirements of this minor. 

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Bachelor of Agribusiness

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Bachelor of Agribusiness core courses

Rural Valuation courses

Compulsory courses

Choose 165 credits from
Course code: 119281 Decision Tools for Primary Industries 15 credits

Application of decision tools for farm systems analysis at the tactical level. Analytical frameworks to assist decision-making in finance, human resources, production and marketing.

Prerequisites: 119180 or 117155

View full course details
Course code: 119381 Decision-Making in Primary Industry 15 credits

A practical approach to the management of strategy, finance and tactics in primary industry. An exploration, through in-field case studies and business analysis, of planning under uncertainty.

Prerequisites: 119281

View full course details
Course code: 119382 Opportunity Analysis in Primary Industry 15 credits

An in-depth study of opportunities for agricultural/horticultural investments. An exploration, through in-field case studies, of alternative pathways to ownership, on-farm investment analysis and farm borrowing and lending. Relevant legislation affecting agricultural and horticultural businesses.

Prerequisites: 119381

View full course details
Course code: 127100 Introduction to Property and Real Estate 15 credits

An introduction to the concepts and principles underlying the property market/industry in New Zealand. This course provides an overview of the regulatory, economics and evaluation framework for users and investors in property and real estate.

View full course details
Course code: 127242 Introduction to Property Valuation 15 credits

An introduction to the principles and methods of property valuation.

Restrictions: 127255

View full course details
Course code: 127356 Rural Valuation 15 credits

Application of the principles, methods and processes of valuation to rural and agribusiness properties.

Prerequisites: 189151, and either 127242 or 127255

View full course details
Course code: 127378 Property Economics and Planning 15 credits

A study of location theory, planning and the economic dynamics involved in the development of cities, using analysis of property space and asset class.

View full course details
Course code: 155201 Law of Property 15 credits

The law relating to the transfer and ownership of and other dealings in real property.

Prerequisites: 115211 or 115103 or 155202 Restrictions: 155216, 155700

View full course details
Course code: 189151 Principles of Soil Science 15 credits

An integrated introductory course in soil science. An exploration of the interaction between soil and the environment, soil formation and morphology, soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and their influence on soil management, nutrient cycling, and soil-plant interactions.

Prerequisites: 247111 or 247113

View full course details
Course code: 218102 Construction Technology and Services I 15 credits

This course will enable students to understand how components of residential buildings are assembled to create habitable and usable spaces. Students will explore the characteristics of various construction materials used in interior finishing. Students are introduced to the principles and applications of services and facilities for comfort and energy performance of residential buildings.

Restrictions: 218172

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Course code: 247111 Science and Sustainability for Agriculture and Horticulture 15 credits

The pursuit of environmental sustainability is a complex societal issue. This is a problem-based course, where students will develop their critical thinking, communication and information literacy and management skills as they evaluate interdisciplinary approaches to the contemporary sustainability challenge of climate action. Students will explore the intersection of science and community through exemplars of partnership between research and Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) in the context of primary production in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Restrictions: 247177, 141111, 141112, 228111, 228112, 247155, 119155, 246102, 247112, 247113, 247114

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

The Bachelor of Agribusiness (Rural Valuation) provides the knowledge, skills and competencies to be a registered valuer. But there are also other exciting career opportunities in the rural property sector. Examples include:

  • private practice firms as a generalist rural valuer
  • a specialist valuer with expertise in a class of property
  • farm consultancy, property management planning
  • rural banking
  • insurance companies as a rural consultant
  • real estate firms as a rural agent.

The requirements of lending institutions, local authorities, rental assessments, insurance valuations, and asset valuations for company accounts generate the bulk of valuation work in New Zealand.

The Property Institute of New Zealand (PINZ) is the professional organisation that you will most likely join as a rural valuation graduate. PINZ is closely involved with the development of Massey's courses and actively encourages students to get involved in the affairs of the local branch and become a member of the organisation.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

Accreditations and rankings

Property Institute of New Zealand (PINZ)

The Bachelor of Business (Property) and Bachelor of Agribusiness (Rural Valuation) are accredited by the Property Institute of New Zealand (PINZ). Suitably qualified students may apply to PINZ to obtain registration in their selected field of expertise. Registration requires the necessary qualifications and at least 3 years practical experience in a selected field of expertise.

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QS Ranking - Agriculture and Forestry

Massey is world-ranked and New Zealand’s No 1 university in agriculture according to QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings.

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QS Ranking - Business Management Studies

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for business and management.

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ShanghaiRanking - agricultural science

Massey University is ranked No.1 in New Zealand for agricultural science by ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

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Valuers Registration Board (VRB)

Suitably qualified students may apply to the Valuers’ Registration Board to obtain registration as a valuer. Registration (recognised as a minimum standard of competence) requires the valuer be 23 years of age, have the necessary qualifications and a minimum 3 years practical valuing experience. Registration is covered in the Valuers Act (1948).

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