New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3)

With this programme, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to manage your own beehives. You’ll meet commercial apiarists in your local area and have the chance to complete an American Foulbrood (AFB) disease recognition course. Topics include bee behaviour and life cycle, beekeeping equipment, harvesting and extracting honey, and suitable bee forage plants.

Domestic

Duration
33 Weeks Part-time
Level
3
Credits
65
Fees
$1,451
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
Online with block course(s)
Location
Multi-location
Intakes
September

International

Duration
33 Weeks Part-time
Level
3
Credits
65
Fees
$11,837
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
Online with block course(s)
Location
Multi-location
Intakes
August

What You Study

Block course locations

  • Cromwell, Central Otago (Bannockburn Road)
  • Dunedin (Momona Hall)
  • Hamilton (Fraser High School)
  • Hokitika (72 Tudor Street)
  • Lincoln (Biological Husbandry Unit)
  • New Plymouth, Taranaki (Coastal Taranaki School, Okato)
  • Orewa, North Auckland (Hibiscus Coast Community House)
  • Tauranga (Whataroa Road)
  • Wellington (Newtown School)

You will study

Each Apiculture tutor will develop their own course timetable and will supply you with the appropriate information. This information will include the dates of each workshop, their content and what will be assessed. There are no electives within this programme and all students undertake the following topics of learning: 

  • Bee behaviour and life cycle
  • Suitable bee forage plants
  • Beekeeping equipment
  • Building a beehive
  • How to feed bees
  • Beehive products
  • Manipulating beehives including swarm control, and dividing hives
  • Re-queening beehives
  • Harvesting and extracting honey
  • Identifying and managing pests and diseases
  • Shifting beehives
  • Wintering beehives

At the end of this programme, you will have the knowledge and skills to manage your own beehives throughout a beekeeping season.

Further study options

Graduates of this programme can further their learning with:

Workload

Your workload

This programme will involve: 

  • two weekend days per month (from 9.00am-5.00pm each day) for eight months - see locations in What you study tab
  • 12 assessments (a mixture of theory and practical)
  • a one-day, industry-recognised bee disease workshop (short test to complete at end of workshop) 
  • reading three text books that we provide you with
  • the completion of a logbook documenting field work undertaken 
  • 5-10 additional hours per week for extra reading (online and books), undertaking assessments and doing practical work on your own beehives/course hives.

Entry

Pathways into this programme 

  • New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2)
  • On job training for those employed in the Apiculture industry   

Entry requirements

  • Open entry.
  • You must be physically capable of meeting the demands of the programme and will need to disclose any medical conditions which may affect your ability to participate.
  • If English is not your first language, you must provide:

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes. 

Fees

Domestic fees

Full tuition
Standard
$1,451

Additional costs

  • One kitset beehive
  • Three textbooks
  • AFB course

Approximate cost = $500

 

Studylink

As this programme is part-time, students generally aren't eligible for student loans or allowances to cover additional material or living costs. But, some help may be possible depending on your circumstances. Check the Studylink website for more information. If you have any questions about student loans and allowances, please email our Studylink Advisor: Amanda.McAra@op.ac.nz 

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz
https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/new-zealand-certificate-in-apiculture-level-3