Type of qualification
Level of study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness – PGDipAgribus
This qualification will help you join this rapidly-growing industry at a senior level. It is worth tens of billions in export earnings a year. International demand is predicted to continue to grow rapidly for New Zealand’s agricultural produce and services.
This postgraduate diploma is most suitable for those who wish to gain a postgraduate qualification, without a research component. You can complete it in a year full-time.
Join a world-leading university
When you study agribusiness at Massey you’ll gain from our expertise across relevant agribusiness-related skills.
Our proud record dates back to 1927 when we offered New Zealand’s first degrees in agriculture and horticulture. Our expertise in agricultural and environmental systems is supported by the Centre for Farm Business Excellence.
Why postgraduate study?
Postgraduate study is hard work but rewarding and empowering. The Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness will push you to produce your best creative, strategic and theoretical ideas. The workload replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles.
Not just more of the same
Postgraduate study is not just ‘more of the same’ undergraduate study. Our experts are there to guide you but, if you have come from undergraduate study, you will find that postgraduate study demands more in-depth and independent study. It takes you to a new level in knowledge and expertise, especially in planning and undertaking research.
A PGDipAgribus is a good fit if you:
- have an undergraduate degree in a related area, or are near completion
- are interested in postgraduate agribusiness study
- would like to undertake a predominantly taught postgraduate qualification.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness you will have been awarded or qualified for:
- an agricultural or business-related bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, at an appropriate level of academic achievement (normally minimum B- average over 300-level majoring courses), or
- a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and have completed at least three years of relevant work experience.
If you are applying with work experience please supply a curriculum vitae (CV) to support your application.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with a class of Honours, Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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 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.
Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness
The Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness is awarded without specialisation.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
120 credits
- Compulsory courses – 45 credits
- Electives from the Schedule – 75 credits
Ensure that overall, you have no more than 30 credits of approved Special Topic or professional development courses.
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.
Compulsory courses (Choose 45 credits from)
Course code: 112702 International Agri-Food Marketing Strategies 15 credits
An advanced study of international agri-food business and marketing. Emphasis is placed on international consumers and agri-food exports, including external environment, terms of trade, transportation, packaging, documentation, methods of payment, risk management, intercultural communication and negotiation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 112747 International Food and Agribusiness Strategies 15 credits
Contemporary New Zealand and international agribusiness issues and strategies. Emphasis is placed on the dynamics of agribusiness strategies, structures and institutions in the context of agricultural trade and environmental issues, food and fibre markets and supply chains. Case studies are used extensively throughout the course.
View full course detailsCourse code: 119729 Research Methods 15 credits
Research methods for students whose research focuses on the human-science interface and human applications of science. The course includes foundations of science, ethics, the scientific method, and systems approaches to problem-solving and research; selection of appropriate research methods, including survey methods, case studies, enterprise/project analysis, and modelling; analysis and presentation of research results and communication skills.
View full course detailsElective courses (Choose at least 75 credits from)
Course code: 112743 Cooperative Governance and Management 15 credits
An advanced study of the theory and practices of cooperatives and mutuals. Emphasis is placed on the governance and management of cooperatives and their subsequent performance in meeting the demands placed on them through shareholder/supplier or shareholder/buyer complexities. The competitiveness of cooperatives in a global environment is explored through appropriate case studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 119731 Topics in Agricultural Extension and Consultancy 15 credits
This course focuses on extension and consultancy theory and its application in commercial farming and horticulture. The design, implementation and evaluation of extension and consultancy programmes; managing an agricultural consultancy business; codes of practice (ethics); current and emerging extension and consultancy issues. Case studies of local agricultural consultancies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 119752 Advanced Farm and Horticultural Management 15 credits
Studies related to the principles of farm and/or horticultural management using case studies of farm and/or horticultural businesses; risk analysis and management at the strategic, tactical and operational levels; development of business plans; financial management and the application of whole farm planning techniques.
View full course detailsCourse code: 119791 Special Topic 15 credits
Course code: 119792 Special Topic 15 credits
Course code: 178740 Global Food Markets and Trade 15 credits
An economic analysis of the global food markets with emphasis on international trade, agri-food policies, and on the industrial organisation of the contemporary food sector.
View full course detailsCourse code: 178742 Environmental Economics for Non-Economists 15 credits
Economic analysis of policy management issues in the use of natural resources and the environment. Concepts and principles will be discussed and applied to issues such as fisheries, land, water and climate change.
View full course detailsFees 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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
- C. Alma Baker Trust Maori Scholarship Award in Agricultural Science
- Johannes August Anderson Postgraduate Scholarship
- John Perrin Scholarship
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
There is growing demand for professional skills in the primary industries.
Earn more
A 2017 Ministry of Education publication, The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed.
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Agriculture and Forestry
Massey is world-ranked and New Zealand’s No 1 university in agriculture according to QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings.
ShanghaiRanking - agricultural science
Massey University is ranked No.1 in New Zealand for agricultural science by ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Related study options
Agribusiness – Master of Management
Join the growing agribusiness sector and develop sought-after skills in both agriculture and management. From leading business experts you will learn transferable communication and investigative skills.
Farm Management – Bachelor of Agribusiness
At Massey, many of our agribusiness students have jobs before they even graduate. Learn how to build and deliver profitable and sustainable businesses.
International Agribusiness – Bachelor of Agribusiness
Go global with your agribusiness skills. Learn how agricultural products are created, marketed, and distributed internationally.
Master of Agribusiness – MAgribus
Gain skills and knowledge sought by employers in New Zealand and internationally. Help address global challenges in the rapidly evolving feed, food, and fibre industries.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz