Massey Diploma in Agriculture (Level 5)

Graduates of the Massey Diploma of Agriculture are well-prepared to contribute positively to land-based employment. This diploma opens doors to a range of primary sector careers, including roles such as farm manager, share milker, equity partner, livestock agent, fertiliser representative, and sales representative.

Delivered by Telford, Southern Institute of Technology in partnership with Massey University

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Diploma in Agriculture, applicants must meet University Entrance requirements and have successfully completed, to the satisfaction of the Academic Board, one of the following:

• A minimum of 12 weeks relevant farm employment or agricultural work experience; or
• A New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) Level 3 Certificate related to agriculture; or
• NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or an equivalent overseas qualification.

All applicants must also meet the admission requirements of Massey University, as the awarding institution.
Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria may be considered for admission based on prior learning, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), relevant work experience, or other equivalent qualifications, in accordance with SIT and Massey University regulations.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not previously studied in English, must provide evidence that they meet the English language requirements for this qualification. Some qualifications may require higher English language standards than the minimum. Where applicable, this will be specified in the programme description.
Applicants may meet the English language requirement through one of the following Prior Study in English:

• NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance; or
• An International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge A‑Level qualification, taught and assessed in English; or
• Completion of secondary schooling or tertiary study taught in English in one of the following countries:
  • New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States; or
• Completion of a tertiary qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher), taught in English, from an approved provider in one of the countries listed above; or
• Cambridge CELTA or Trinity College London CertTESOL.

Internationally Recognised English Language Tests

Applicants may alternatively meet the requirement by achieving the required score in one of the approved English language tests listed below.

Test results must:

• Be achieved in one sitting, and
• Be no more than two years old at the proposed date of enrolment.

Diploma at Level 5 – Minimum Scores

• IELTS (Academic) – Overall score 5.5, with no band lower than 5.0
• TOEFL (Paper‑based) – 550, with TWE 5
• TOEFL (Internet‑based) – 46, with writing score of 14
• Cambridge English Qualifications – B2 First or B2 First for Schools, overall score 162, with no less than 154 in each skill
• OET – Minimum Grade C or 200 in all sub‑tests
• NZCEL –
  • Expiring: Level 4 (General or Workplace)
  • Current: Level 4 (General or Employment)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – 42, with no band score lower than 36
• LanguageCert International ESOL –
  • B2 Communicator (Written – LRW): High Pass, minimum 25/50 in each skill
  • Spoken (S): Pass
• Trinity ISE – ISE II, with no less than Merit in any band
• Duolingo English Test – Results may be considered where permitted under current admission regulations.

Applicants who have completed an English language test not listed above may submit results for consideration on a case‑by‑case basis.

English Language Support

Telford | SIT offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses and English language support options for students who need to improve their academic English before commencing study.

Students who went to New Zealand secondary school

You do not have to give us extra evidence of your English language skills if you went to secondary school in New Zealand and achieved:

• National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3
• Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).

To be admitted for this qualification, you will need a minimum level of academic achievement from school, or another university or tertiary institution. The specific level depends on which country or region of the world you are from.  For more information, please refer to Massey's country-specific requirements, or contact us now and we will be able to help answer your specific questions.

At the conclusion of the Diploma, students are well placed to contribute positively to land-based employment or to proceed to study at Bachelor’s level. There is also the potential to cross credit to other SIT qualifications.