About the programme
The Bachelor of Agricultural Science is an NZQF Level 7 undergraduate degree at Lincoln University that builds a broad and deep scientific understanding of farming and food production. It is a 480-credit programme taken over 4 years of full-time study on the Lincoln University campus.
Lincoln presents itself as the oldest recognised specialist land-based university in the Southern Hemisphere and highlights the four-year length of this degree as distinctive. The core covers soils and nutrient management, plant and animal production and farming systems, along with current sustainability strategies across the paddock-to-plate journey.
In later years students choose advanced options such as plant protection, genetics and breeding, water resources, ecology, agroforestry, precision agriculture, biochemistry, resource management law, field research, seed technology and plant and animal physiology. Graduates must pass at least ten 300-level courses, including the Agricultural Practicum and four courses from a set list. An additional major or minor may be possible.
Practical work totals 28 weeks of paid full-time employment: 10 to 14 weeks on a single dairy farm, the same on a single sheep or beef farm, and any remaining time on another farm or in an allied industry. Students need to be competent drivers; previous farm experience helps but is not required.
High-achieving students may be invited by the Dean to take their fourth year as Honours, combining postgraduate courses with a substantial research project. A high class of Honours allows direct entry to PhD study.
Entry requirements
- University Entrance through NCEA or an approved equivalent, with separate guidance for overseas qualifications.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must meet additional English language requirements.
- Biology, chemistry, English and maths or statistics are highly recommended; agriculture or horticulture and Māori studies are also useful.
- Honours is by Dean's invitation, typically after six semesters completed in minimum time with a cumulative GPA of 5 or higher over the last two years.
What you study
- Primary Industry Systems
- Land, People and Economies
- Animal Science, Soil Science I and Plant Science I
- Plant Production Systems
- Livestock Production Science
- Principles of Agricultural Systems
- Soil Management
- Biometrics
- Agricultural Practicum
- 300-level options such as Crop Science, Pasture Agronomy, Dairy Production Science and Advanced Soil Management
Careers after graduation
- Agriculture and food production
- Consultancy
- Research
- Technical development roles
- Farm management
Post-study work visa
Equal to the length of the programme, 3 years maximum
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 09/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the Lincoln University website