New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Queen Bee Rearing) (Level 4)

Your workload

As a part-time student, you should aim to undertake around 15 hours of study per week throughout the programme. This will include workshops, online learning and discussions, reading textbooks, doing assessments, practical work in your own time and the completion of an apiary diary. 

• Online learning - one evening class per fortnight (7.00pm-9.00pm) 
• Practical weekend workshops once per month (9.00am-5.00pm, Sat and Sun) - see locations in What you study section
• Followed by a practical 10 days later on a Tues evening (5.30pm-7.30pm)

Entry requirements

• New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) or equivalent industry skills and knowledge.
• You will be expected to complete an industry-approved American Foulbrood recognition and destruction course before you graduate from this programme.
• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

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

Want your existing skills recognised?

Students who have previously completed unit standards in Apiculture at Level 4 may be able to claim recognition of prior learning to exempt themselves from completing the equivalent learning on this programme provided these units appear on their student Record of Learning. Email central@op.ac.nz for more info.

Study for free until the end of the year

If you're a domestic student, apply for our August 2022 intake and your tuition fees will be covered by the Government's Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) until 31 December 2022. This means you study for free until then! 

You'll still need to cover any additional costs (such as equipment) - see more info below - and any living costs you have.

As this programme is part-time, students generally aren't eligible for student loans or allowances to cover additional 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 

You may be able to access Fees Free funding in 2023 for additional tuition fee support (conditions apply). 

Additional costs

• You will need to purchase your own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which includes a beekeeping suit (overalls and veil), gloves, smoker and hive tool (approximately $250).
• It is preferable that you wear steel-capped boots or gumboots.
• You will need to have access to a computer and the internet. Course material will be made available online (through Moodle, our education online platform). Meetings, theory classes and assignments may be carried out online (via Microsoft Teams).  

Tuition fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.

Student Services Fee

For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.

A change for 2023 enrolments

When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start in 2023, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.

As part of the transition to Te Pūkenga, this programme is currently under review as part of the Reform of Vocational Education Training. The aim of this review is to provide programmes that are portable, consistent and closely aligned with the needs of industry.