New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Nursery Production) (Level 3) - on campus
Develop your green thumb by propagating, transplanting, and caring for plants in our Central Otago nursery. You will build your experience and knowledge of the techniques needed to grow commercial nursery crops, as well as identifying, naming, and selecting plants for a range of sites.
Domestic
July
About the programme
Develop your green thumb skills in propagating, transplanting, and caring for plants. You will build your experience and knowledge of the techniques needed to propagate and grow commercial nursery crops, as well as identifying, naming, and selecting plants for a range of sites.
The best part about studying nursery at Otago Polytechnic is our hands-on approach to learning. You will gain practical growing experience in our Cromwell nursery.
This qualification is a mix of theoretical and practical studies, and your learning will be based in the campus plant nursery and modern glasshouses.
It is delivered part-time (20 weeks) over two to three years.
What You Study
Courses
You will build your experience and knowledge of the techniques required to propagate and grow commercial nursery crops, as well as identifying, naming and selecting plants for a range of sites. The courses in this programme include:
- Communication (10 credits)
- Nursery Plant Care (15 credits)
- Plant Identification and Selection (15 credits)
- Propagation (20 credits)
- Plant Science (15 credits)
Workload
Workload
You'll spend varying days on campus during term time. Some weeks you may spend three or four days on campus whilst other weeks you might only be on campus for a day.
Longer block courses will be held in March and May on campus.
Entry
Skills needed to work in this area
- An enjoyment of working outdoors
- Physical fitness
- Planning and organisational skills
- Good communication skills
- An eye for detail.
Entry requirements
- Open Entry
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 (academic, no 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 internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Selection process
Applicants will be processed as they are received. If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in the order that they applied.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
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.
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.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
