Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management

Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management

Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management

In today's world, agriculture has evolved beyond just the practical, hands-on practice of farming; it is now considered a significant business sector. The Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management equips learners with the skills to critically analyse strategic issues in agricultural industries, develop and implement appropriate policies in operations and general management, and to understand costing and financial management processes.

Important Notice:

SIT2LRN is no longer accepting new students into the Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management. Only students who had enrolled in this programme in 2024 or prior will be allowed to continue in this major going forward, to finish off their qualification. If you have any questions please send an email to info@sit.ac.nz. 

Please specify the programme of study you are enquiring about in the subject section of your email, so that your query can be quickly directed to the right person.

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Key Details
SIT2LRN Distance Learning
Qualification:
Graduate Diploma
Level:
7
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time,

up to five years part-time

Intakes are 17 weeks long

Study Modes:
Distance Learning
Dates:

2026 Intake 1: 09 February to 05 June - Applications Close 02 February 2026

2026 Intake 2: 16 March to 10 July - Applications Close 09 March 2026

2026 Intake 3: 22 June to 16 October - Applications Close 15 June 2026

2026 Intake 4: 27 July to 20 November - Applications Close 20 July 2026
Fees:

SIT Zero Fees Scheme

 

International Fees

$100 per credit

 

Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options

 

     

The Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management will help learners to critically analyse strategic issues facing agricultural industries, develop and implement appropriate policies in the areas of operations and general management, and to understand costing and financial management processes.

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

Understand the economics and learn the management skills to become a leader in the Agribusiness sector. Develop strategies to ensure a competative business, and understand the infuences shaping the future of the industry.

Gain in-depth knowledge of agibusiness industries, including livestock and crop sectors, health and safety, and sustainable practises. Learn about policy and regulatory requirements and impacts, and undertake research into a topics of special interest.

The programme offers a blend of theoretical and practical learning, with an emphasis on applied knowledge and skill. High importance is placed on the development of agribusiness management skills (such as communication, presentation, interpersonal and problem solving skills) in addition to the development of specific agribusiness knowledge.

Important Notice:

This programme is undergoing changes for 2026 delivery including some changes in compulsory and elective papers. Some papers will be removed and new papers added. This means that some papers will not be available for selection until later in 2025, when we anticipate NZQA approval will be received. For this reason, we recommend that you wait until later this year to finalise your 2026 study plans. Returning students will not be disadvantaged by the changes. If papers you have already completed are not in the new programme schedule, they will still be recognised towards the qualification. 

We apologise for any inconvenience. If you have any questions please email: info@sit.ac.nz 

Please specify the programme of study you are enquiring about in the subject section of your email, so that your query can be quickly directed to the right person.

Compulsory Papers

MGT619 (MGT236) Agribusiness Strategy and Competitiveness (15 credits)

This paper uses agribusiness and food industry case studies to provide students with the information and knowledge necessary to critically consider the strategic issues underpinning competitiveness in the agribusiness industry.

 On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

  • Research strategic issues in agribusiness and food industry, both within New Zealand and internationally. 
  • Critically assess the relationship between the strategic issues and competitiveness in New Zealand and international agribusinesses.

MGT702 Research Methodology (15 credits)

 This paper will introduce students to the skills required to complete a research project.  It will cover advanced research skills, various methodologies available to gather and present primary and secondary information and data, and it will take students through the literature review process.

  • Select a suitable topic on which to base a research project, or similar piece of written work, and identify any possible ethical issues.
  • Source and critically analyse suitable secondary research from a variety of sources both online and in hard copy and select a methodology for gathering primary data.
  • Understand the requirements of a ‘literature review’ and how to construct this using an appropriate referencing style.
  • Write a proposal to complete a research project, or similar, outlining how all the key elements will be met within a specified timeframe.

Note: This paper must be completed prior to completing AGB730 and requires a final weighted grade of B- or higher to pass the paper. 

MGT709 (MGT309) Relationships, Influence and Leadership (15 credits)

 Students will be able to recognise and maximise their role in influencing decision makers and understand how to use influential tactics; they will understand some of the theories attached to influencing decision-making and know when to apply these to situations; leadership and its qualities as opposed to management, will be examined as will the relationship between leaders and those who seek to influence them.

 On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  • Analyse and evaluate a range of perspectives on leadership relevant to different management levels within organisational and situational contexts
  • Discuss and demonstrate their understanding of the influence of a range of factors of leadership
  • Apply leadership contemporary knowledge and skills to the management of change
  • Critically evaluate their current leadership abilities, strengths and weaknesses, and create their own leadership development plan

MGT715 (MGT315) Agricultural and Resource Policy (15 credits)

 This paper provides students with the knowledge of New Zealand agricultural, agri-environmental and resource policies, the role of a policy advisor and the theories behind government regulation to enable students to establish a framework to analyse agricultural and resource policies in both national and global contexts.

 On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

  • Research agricultural and resource policies and theories of government regulation.
  • Consider selected agricultural, agri-environmental and resource policies in New Zealand in the critical analysis of policy impacts in both national and global contexts.

MGT716 (MGT316) Sustainable Agribusiness Practice (15 credits)

 This paper provides students with the knowledge of environmental and social information required for the development of an agribusiness strategy which includes societal expectations, intergenerational issues, and business and industry life cycles, enabling students to undertake value chain analysis and evaluate eco-efficiency outcomes.

 On completion of this paper the student will be able to: 

  • Research environmental and social information required for development of an agribusiness strategy inclusive of societal expectations, intergenerational issues and business and industry life cycles.

AGB730 Management Research Project (Agribusiness Management) (30 credits)

 This paper provides students with an opportunity to conduct advanced research into an aspect of management theory or practice by integrating the body of knowledge learnt in management papers.

 On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to select a current management issue or applied management problem and formulate an appropriate research objective and research question, plan, organise and implement a research project, select and apply appropriate research methodologies, collect, analyse and interpret research data, write a research report to a professional standard, make an oral presentation of the management-related research project and answer relevant questions raised.

 You are expected to:

 Identify and investigate a current management issue based on personal interest, benefit to an organisation, popular topic or a gap in research you have identified.

 Approach:

  • Select a current management issue or applied management problem and formulate an appropriate research objective and research question.
  • Select and apply appropriate research methodologies.
  • Collect, analyse and interpret research data. 
  • Write a research report to a professional standard. 
  • Make a research poster to present your research work
  • Undertake an oral defence presenting key points from your research report and answer relevant questions raised.

Total Word Count: Approximately 12,000 words

 

Students must complete one of the following three elective papers:

MGT618 (MGT235) Agribusiness Economics (15 credits)

Students in this paper will explore the economic and policy issues associated with agricultural production, marketing, and resource use. Students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to apply agricultural and resource policy analyses to agricultural production and cost economics, farm management economics and agricultural marketing economics.

 On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast economic and policy issues in agricultural production, marketing, and resource use.
  • Critically analyse agricultural and resource policies relevant to the economics of agricultural production and cost, farm management, and agricultural marketing.

MGT620 (MGT237) Crop Industries (15 credits)

Covering areas such as sustainable production and soil health, tillage, crop selection, crop rotation, management of crop nutrition and soil water, and off-site agricultural impacts, this paper provides students with knowledge of the key factors driving crop production in cropping and mixed farming businesses.

 On completion of this paper the student will be able to:

  • Critically analyse the requirements for sustainable production and soil health for crop production on differing New Zealand soils.
  • Research the factors influencing crop production in cropping and mixed farming businesses to determine those most relevant to current practices.

MGT621 (MGT238) Livestock Industries (15 credits)

 This paper provides students with the knowledge the major animal industries of economic significant in New Zealand, enabling students to consider the relevance of each livestock industry in a global context.

 On completion of this paper the student will be able to: 

  • Research the terminology, genotype, distribution and production systems for the economically significant animal industries of New Zealand.
  • Critically compare and contrast the relevance of each livestock industry in the global context, including production and market contexts.
  • Undertake the critical analysis of a value chain in an agribusiness and evaluate eco-efficiency outcomes.

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

Applicants must have obtained at least an undergraduate degree in any discipline.

Mature Applicants

Applicants must supply at least three years relevant work experience. Each mature applicant must provide their curriculum vitae detailing any relevant work experience and academic achievements.  The Programme Manager will use this information to assess whether the applicant is likely to successfully complete the Graduate Diploma programme.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment


IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE)
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18)
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill.
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic)
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42
Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band

* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current

Full time study

Full time study is completing 60 credits per intake. Students 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 SIT2LRN within the last 5 years, you may be able to have some of your study credited towards this programme.

Please contact SIT2LRN to discuss or download the cross credit application form. http://www.sit.ac.nz/Students/Academic-Support

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 SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and Internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN 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 an Important 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, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).

All students 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. Students 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 students 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 students new to SIT2LRN read through the 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 SIT2LRN 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 students – 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 students – 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 SIT2LRN 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 sit2lrn@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.

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

  • Tests
  • Assignments
  • Case studies
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Final examinations

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 student and granted by the facilitator, in writing, before the due date.

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