Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management

Help shape the future of agribusiness. Gain the knowledge and practical skills to lead organisations, analyse industry challenges, improve operational performance, and respond to changing environmental, economic, and technological demands. Graduates are prepared for leadership and management roles across the agribusiness and primary industries sectors.

Important Notice:

This programme is now closed to new students. Students already enrolled will be allowed to continue in this course 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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SIT Online
Campus
SIT Online
Qualification
Graduate Diploma
Level
7
Credits
120
Duration

One year full-time 

Up to four years part-time 

Intakes are 17 weeks long

Dates
TBC
Tuition Fees

Zero tuition fees

Direct Material Costs

$8.00 per credit (incl. GST)

International Fees

$100 per credit (incl. GST). See International.

Course Outline

Important Notice:

This programme is now closed to new students. Students already enrolled will be allowed to continue in this course 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.

 

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 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.

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

Gain in-depth knowledge of agribusiness industries, including livestock and crop sectors, health and safety, and sustainable practices. Learn about policy and regulatory requirements and impacts, and undertake research into a topic 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.

Course Content

Compulsory Courses

MGT619 Agribusiness Strategy and Competitiveness (15 credits)

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

On successful completion of this course the learner 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 course will introduce learners to the knowledge and skills required to undertake academic research.  It will cover research skills, research methodologies, gathering and presenting primary and secondary information and data, ethical considerations, and the literature review process.

On successful completion of this course the learner will be able to:

  • 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.

MGT709 Relationships, Influence and Leadership (15 credits)

This course presents insights to enable learners to recognise their role in influencing decision makers and understand how to use influential tactics.

On successful completion of this course the learner will be able to:

  • Analyse and evaluate a range of perspectives on leadership relevant to different management levels within organisational and situational contexts
  • Evaluate the influence of a range of factors on 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 Agricultural and Resource Policy (15 credits)

This course provides learners 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 learners to establish a framework to analyse agricultural and resource policies in both national and global contexts.

On successful completion of this course the learner 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 Sustainable Agribusiness Practice (15 credits)

This course provides learners 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 learners to undertake value chain analysis and evaluate eco-efficiency outcomes.

On successful completion of this course the learner 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
  • Undertake the critical analysis of a value chain in an agribusiness and evaluate eco-efficiency outcomes.

MGT736 Managing Business with Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)

This course introduces learners to the strategic use of artificial intelligence in business and explores how AI can improve performance, support innovation, and be used responsibly to create a competitive advantage.

On successful completion of this course the learner will be able to:

  • Analyse potential strategic applications of artificial intelligence to enhance organisational performance, including efficiency, productivity, decision-making, and customer experience.
  • Critically assess the ethical, legal, and social implications of implementing AI solutions within organisational contexts.
  • Evaluate an organisation’s strategies, resources and capabilities to integrate AI solutions into business operations.


MGT738 Applied Management Capstone Project (15 credits)

The aim of this course is to provide learners with the knowledge to integrate and apply project management skills and methodologies in a real-world organisational setting.

On successful completion of this course the learner will be able to:

  • Analyse a real-world management issue or management opportunity within an organisational context.
  • Design a management initiative or solution in response to an identified issue or opportunity.
  • Prepare a comprehensive report that critically evaluates the proposed approach, potential challenges, and lessons learned to inform future practice.

Learners must complete one of the following three elective courses:

MGT618 Agribusiness Economics (15 credits)

Learners in this course will explore the economic and policy issues associated with agricultural production, marketing, and resource use. Learners 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 successful completion of this course the learner 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 Crop Industries (15 credits)

This course provides learners with knowledge of the major crop industries of economic significance in New Zealand, enabling learners to consider the relevance of each crop industry in a global context. Learners will undertake critical analyses, which include production and market contexts, of New Zealand crop industries.

On successful completion of this course the learner will be able to:

  • Research the terminology, genotype, distribution and production systems for the economically significant crop industries of New Zealand.
  • Critically compare and contrast the relevance of each crop industry in the global context, including production and market contexts.

MGT621 Livestock Industries (15 credits)

This course provides learners with the knowledge the major animal industries of economic significant in New Zealand, enabling learners to consider the relevance of each livestock industry in a global context. Learners will undertake critical analyses, which include production and market contexts, of New Zealand animal industries.

On successful completion of this course the learner 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.
Career Opportunities

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.

Application Criteria

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
Additional Information

All SIT Online courses require you to have a computer and reliable internet access; using a mobile phone is not suitable. Learners 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

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