Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management

The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management is to provide learners who already have a degree, or extensive applicable experience, with advanced theoretical and applied knowledge in Agribusiness Management, which can be used in professional practice or further advanced study in this area.

General Admission: To be admitted to this programme all applicants must have obtained an undergraduate degree in any discipline.

Special Admission: Mature applicants aged at least 20 years who do not meet the general admission requirements may apply if they have at least three years’ work experience relevant to the area of study and have successfully completed a minimum of 40 credits of study at Level 6.

Special admission applicants must supply their curriculum vitae to demonstrate their relevant work experience and provide evidence of their academic achievements. 

In assessing whether to grant special admission the primary focus will be on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a likelihood to succeed in the programme. 

The Programme Manager will use this information to assess the applicant’s level of preparedness for study at this level and whether the applicant is likely to successfully complete the qualification.

Meeting the application criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the programme.

English Language Requirements

All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.

International applicants must provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the Programme as outlined in the table for internationally recognised English proficiency outcomes for international students from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules and on Delivery Site English Language Requirements for International Ākonga webpage.

Domestic applicants must provide evidence that they have the necessary language literacy proficiency required for the Programme as demonstrated by the equivalence of:  

• 10 NCEA literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of: 
  • 5 credits in reading 
  • 5 credits in writing 

Applicants who are unable to provide evidence of the above may be required to demonstrate capability using either:

• an approved proficiency test or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules; or
• successful completion of Level 4 study in English

Full time study

Full time study is completing 60 credits per intake. Learners studying full time will complete the Graduate Diploma within two intakes (one year)

Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager’s discretion.

Part time study

The number of credits selected per intake will depend on work, family, and other commitments. The recommended maximum number of credits per intake, compared to working hours, are:

• Working 37 + hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 30 credits per intake
• Working 20 – 37 hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 45 credits per intake
• Working fewer than 20 hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 60 credits per intake (full time study).

Cross Credit

If you have completed and passed the National Diploma in Business (Level 6) through SIT Online within the last 5 years, you may be able to have some of your study credited towards this programme.

Please contact sitonline@sit.ac.nz to discuss or download the cross-credit application form, found here.

Additional information

• As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period. Click HERE to download a Study Load Calculator (spreadsheet).
• All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs).
• Online enrolments are on a year-by-year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes in one enrolment. Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students. There is no automatic enrolment rollover.

All SIT Online courses require you to have a computer and reliable internet access; using a mobile phone is not suitable. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT Online communications.

All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive the Student Enrolment Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment.

From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through. Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, learners have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (weekdays only).

All learners are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Learners who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

All learners will get an official academic transcript on successful completion of their programme of study which will be posted or given at Graduation.  After each intake is finished, it is suggested that students check their results on MySIT.

We recommend learners new to SIT Online read through the SIT Online Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information

Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.

• I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
• I have read the SIT Online Frequently Asked Questions section
• I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under Application Criteria)
• I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under Course Content).
• I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
• I have selected intake(s) (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
• I know my intended payment method
• If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and approved purchase order to attach to my online application. I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility.
• New learners – I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.
• New learners – I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates). These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience).
• I have computer access, an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay. The Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.

Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?

• A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or
• An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment.

Instructions to help you with your application:

1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT Online Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call
   0800 748 257 for further options.
3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student …

• Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it);
• If you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in.
• If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
• Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

1. Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents. Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide. Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sitonline@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

• You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks. However, we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation.
• Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment.
• Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us.

For learners to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management, they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all courses, and achieved a total of 120 credits as specified in the programme schedule. The timeframe for completion of this programme is four years. 

Please note: Learners failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

Assessments for this programme may include, but are not limited to:

• Tests
• Assignments
• Case studies
• Presentations
• Reports
• Discussion activities

All requirements for assessment must be submitted by the advised time and date. Late assignments will not be accepted unless an extension has been requested by the learner and granted by the facilitator, in writing, before the due date.