About the programme
The Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) is an NZQF Level 7 undergraduate degree at Lincoln University that pairs professional commerce skills with specialist knowledge of agriculture. It carries 360 credits and takes 3 years of full-time study on the Lincoln University campus.
As farming and related industries change and innovate, they need well-educated managers who understand how land-based and primary sector businesses interact and trade. The programme mixes academic study with real-world case examples, contact with industry, field trips and regional study tours.
Students build applied knowledge of farm systems and farm management, agribusiness, and animal, plant and soil production. Year one includes commercial law, economics, primary industry systems, financial information and statistics, plus at least two courses chosen from animal science, soil science and plant science. Later years cover agricultural or horticultural systems, sustainability and the agribusiness environment, and the final year focuses on evaluating agricultural systems, opportunity analysis and strategic management. Graduates need at least five 300-level courses and four courses in agricultural subjects. An additional major may be possible.
Practical work totals at least 30 weeks: two 15-week farm placements, or two farm placements plus a 10-week allied placement, with 10 to 15 weeks per workplace and two reports. Farm experience is preferred but not essential. Students may also spend a semester on exchange; popular partners include the University of Reading, Oregon State University, Colorado State University and University College Dublin.
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.
- Recommended subjects: accounting, agriculture or horticulture, biology, chemistry, business studies, computing, economics, maths or statistics and Māori studies; English is highly recommended.
What you study
- Primary Industry Systems
- Introduction to Commercial Law
- Financial Information for Business
- Animal Science, Soil Science I or Plant Science I (at least two)
- Principles of Agricultural Systems or Horticultural Systems
- Agricultural Systems and Sustainability
- The Agribusiness Environment
- Evaluating Agricultural Systems
- Opportunity Analysis in Agricultural Systems
- Agribusiness Strategic Management and Strategic Management in Agricultural Systems
Careers after graduation
- Farm management
- Farm services
- Agricultural consulting
- Rural finance
- Rural accounting
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