Top for agriculture
QS World University Rankings place Massey first in New Zealand for agriculture.
In the club
Massey has New Zealand's largest Young Farmers club. Learn skills, share knowledge, get connected and keep in touch.
The industry nod
Mixing practical work and theory, Massey's horticultural science degree has been co-designed with industry experts.
Learn by doing
Get hands-on experience in labs, field trips, and practical projects that focus on solving real-world problems.
Overview
Dig into food, farming and agribusiness at Massey – we know how to turn out in-demand graduates. We've taught agriculture and horticulture degrees since 1927. In global university ratings, we rank first in New Zealand for agriculture and 71th in the world.
Learn farming from world-class lecturers and researchers with specialisations such as plant breeding and Māori agribusiness. Master new skills at on-site farms and state-of-the-art laboratories. Gain work experience with potential employers. Explore new developments during field trips and study tours. Graduate work-ready, with degrees co-designed with industry.
Agriculture or horticulture is a good fit if you:
- enjoy sciences or technology
- want to work with animals or plants, or learn farming
- like to combine hands-on work and analytical thinking.
Learn farming
Courses across agriculture and horticulture may cover:
- agribusiness and international markets
- business skills such as finance, marketing and supply chain management
- breeding and genetics
- food industry
- sustainability.
Agriculture courses
With a mix of theory and practical work, students gain the skills and knowledge needed in farms and agribusinesses large and small, in New Zealand and overseas. Our degrees include at least 26 weeks' paid employment in agriculture. Plus we run New Zealand's largest Young Farmers Club.
Our farming courses include:
- farm production systems
- field trips to learn from farmers
- real-world case studies
- sheep and cattle, including wool, dairy and beef farming.
Horticultural courses
Ours is New Zealand's only horticultural degree co-designed with industry, with a mix of practical work and theory.
It includes:
- field trips and study tours
- food production
- government policies and regulations
- plant genetics and plant growth
- Treaty of Waitangi Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
How to study agriculture and horticulture
Discover what we offer if you’re interested in agriculture and horticulture – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor of Agribusiness – BAgribusiness
At Massey, many of our agribusiness students have jobs before they even graduate. Join to gain the skills and sound business knowledge to help progress the future of New Zealand’s primary production sector.
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.
Horticultural Management – Bachelor of Agribusiness
Grow your skills. Learn how to build and deliver profitable and sustainable horticultural businesses, alongside the science of food crops. Get a job before you graduate in New Zealand’s booming industry.
International Agribusiness – Bachelor of Agribusiness
Go global with your agribusiness skills. Learn how agricultural products are created, marketed, and distributed internationally.
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).
Bachelor of Agricultural Science – BAgSci
Massey’s Bachelor of Agricultural Science will give you the contemporary agriculture-related skills you need to become a leader in this rapidly growing international industry.
Bachelor of Animal Science – BAnSci
Combine your love of animals and science with the only animal science degree available in New Zealand.
Animal Genetics and Breeding – Bachelor of Animal Science
Learn how animal breeding and genetics can have a positive impact on animal industries and the New Zealand economy.
Animal Nutrition and Growth – Bachelor of Animal Science
Combine your love of animals and science with the only animal science degree available in New Zealand. This degree focuses on how nutrition contributes to the performance and health of animals.
Animal Welfare – Bachelor of Animal Science
Keen to make a difference in the lives of animals? Combine your love of animals and science to make a difference to their health and welfare.
Equine Science – Bachelor of Animal Science
Gain the knowledge base and the analytical and management skills for a career helping improve the productivity and sustainability of the equine industry.
Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours – BFoodTech(Hons)
Massey University’s Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours is the only degree in Australasia that combines food science, food engineering, and food business. Our graduates are highly employable and sought after.
Bachelor of Horticultural Science – BHortSci
Do you have a passion for plants and people? This is the only horticultural degree in New Zealand fully co-designed and created in collaboration with the industry.
Undergraduate certificates
Certificate in Science and Technology – CertScTech
The Certificate in Science and Technology is a shorter study option at university level. It is used primarily as a ‘pathway’ to help you complete subjects you need to enter another qualification.
Graduate certificates
Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology – GCertScTech
Do you want to expand your knowledge or learn a new subject without completing a second bachelor’s degree? Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology is a flexible postgraduate study option.
Undergraduate diploma
Diploma in Science and Technology – DipScTech
Undertake a shorter, more flexible study option with the Diploma in Science and Technology at Massey.
Graduate diplomas
Graduate Diploma in Dairy Science and Technology – GDipDairySciTec
An invaluable qualification for new and established employees across the dairy sector.
Graduate Diploma in Science and Technology – GDipScTech
The Graduate Diploma in Science and Technology gives you the opportunity to retrain in an area of science that interests you.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Postgraduate study
Master's degrees
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.
Master of Dairy Science and Technology – MDairyScTech
Learn chemistry, microbiology, and process technology required to manufacture high-quality dairy products. The qualification covers dairy industry structure, strategy, organisation, and function, including legislation and safety.
Agricultural Science – Master of Science
Join the Master of Science (Agricultural Science) to help increase the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems in New Zealand and around the world.
Animal Science – Master of Science
Stand out from other animal science graduates with Massey's Master of Science (Animal Science).
Horticultural Science – Master of Science
Dig deeper into horticulture. Use Massey’s experts and world-leading facilities to develop your own ground-breaking research.
Postgraduate certificates
Postgraduate Certificate in Science and Technology – PGCertScTech
Massey’s Postgraduate Certificate in Science and Technology is a stepping-stone to postgraduate study.
Postgraduate diplomas
Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness – PGDipAgribus
Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness is a stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a master’s degree.
Geospatial Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of geospatial science to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geospatial Science). Build on your undergraduate interests and develop your analysis and technical skills.
Agricultural Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology
Improve the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems in New Zealand and around the world. The Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Agricultural Science) is the stepping stone to a research-based degree.
Animal Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology
Join a world-leading agricultural university. Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Animal Science) is a stepping stone to a research-based degree.
Horticultural Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology
Learn from, and research with, highly-skilled, researchers in horticulture. A Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Horticultural Science) is the stepping stone to a research-based qualification.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
Relevant research areas at Massey
Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to agriculture and horticulture at Massey.
What our students say
“My degree has been crucial, allowing a smooth transition into the first year of my career. It set me up with subjects like the soil science, GIS mapping, plant diseases, statistics, financial business analysis and – of course – plant biology that I have needed in my graduate role.”
“I have always believed that there is real value in workplace experience as it gives students the ability to apply their learning. The opportunity to work with i4 lead me to work on various projects and has exposed me to new challenges, ideas and initiatives. It has also taught me new soft skills, and broadened my career aspirations.”
“Upon completion of my degree I found it very easy to get a job. There is high demand for agriculture students in general, but more so for rural valuation students.”
Our facilities
You'll have access to a wide range of first-class facilities when you study with us.
Massey horticultural units
Purpose-built facilities for teaching and research in plant science and production include:
- 7 hectare orchard
- 25 glasshouses
- six temperature-controlled rooms
- growth cabinets.
Plantings include apples, pears, green and gold kiwifruit, and vegetable trials of traditional Māori crops.
Location: Manawatū campus, Palmerston North
Contact: Mark Osborne
Email: m.a.osborne@massey.ac.nz
Massey Farms
Students and researchers can access 2,000 hectares at our six working farms, including:
- dairy farms
- sheep and beef farms
- deer breeding unit
- mixed enterprise and cropping unit.
Location: Manawatū campus
Jobs in agriculture and horticulture
Our graduates go everywhere from farms to food companies, from orchards to vineyards, from laboratories to exporters. Job prospects are good, as agribusiness and food are important to New Zealand and its economy.
Many Massey agribusiness students get jobs before they graduate.
Agriculture and horticulture careers include:
- agribusiness consultants
- animal or plant scientists, who specialise in areas such as breeding, food production or disease control
- farm managers
- rural property valuers, who work for banks, insurers or real estate firms
- viticulturists, who grow grapes for the wine industry.
Annual salary ranges for jobs
- Animal or plant scientist – $65,000 to $150,000
- Consultant – $50,000 to $150,000
- Farm manager – $63,000 to $160,000
- Viticulturist – $48,000 to $128,000
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on careers.govt.nz data.
Which agriculture or horticulture qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
| Jobs | Examples of what you could study |
|---|---|
| Agribusiness manager, consultant or other leadership role |
Master of Management (Agribusiness) Master of Agribusiness |
| Animal scientist or consultant |
Bachelor of Animal Science Bachelor of Agricultural Science |
| Agricultural/horticultural manager or consultant |
Bachelor of Agribusiness (Farm Management) Bachelor of Horticultural Science Bachelor of Agricultural Science |
| Plant scientist or consultant |
Bachelor of Horticultural Science Bachelor of Agricultural Science |
| Rural property valuer | Bachelor of Agribusiness (Rural Valuation) |
Accreditations and rankings
ShanghaiRanking - agricultural science
Massey University is ranked No.1 in New Zealand for agricultural science by ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
QS Ranking - Agriculture and Forestry
Massey is world-ranked and New Zealand’s No 1 university in agriculture according to QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings.
Global Farm Platform
Massey's Dairy 1 farm is part of the Global Farm Platform, an international group for optimisation of grazing livestock production systems.
Get an information guide
Download our guides to find out more about studying agriculture and horticulture at Massey.
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