

- Location
On campus or online and in your work place.
International students must study on campus.
- Duration
- One year full-time; part-time options
- Level
- 5
- Start
- February and July
-
LocationIntakeStudy breaks
-
Central Otago15 February 202128 June 2021 - 16 July 2021
5 April 2021 - 16 April 2021
27 September 2021 - 8 October 2021
-
Central Otago19 July 202129 November 2021 - 18 February 2022
27 September 2021 - 8 October 2021
18 April 2022 - 29 April 2022
-
Distance1 February 202128 June 2021 - 16 July 2021
-
Central Otago21 February 20224 July 2022 - 29 July 2022
18 April 2022 - 29 April 2022
3 October 2022 - 14 October 2022
Progress your career in the national or international horticultural communities by gaining the knowledge and skills to become a competent leader in the stonefruit, pipfruit, berry or wine grape production industries.
All of our teaching centres around sustainable growing principles and you will gain hands-on experience and industry contacts through professional work experience. In addition, our unrivalled Central Otago Campus practical horticulture facilities include a propagation nursery, hydroponics unit, modern glasshouses, 7-hectare crop production unit and vineyard.
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will graduate with the New Zealand Diploma in Horticulture Production (Level 5) (Fruit Production).
For more information about this programme, please email the Programme Manager, jason.barry@op.ac.nz
Skills required
- An enjoyment of working outdoors
- Physical fitness
- Planning and organisational skills
- Good communication skills
- An eye for detail.
Entry requirements
- New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Production (Level 4) OR equivalent.
- 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.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.
Additional documentation
You need to provide academic records, proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate).
Selection procedure
Applications 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.
Courses
Course name | Credits |
Leadership and Relationship Management | 15 |
Professional Work Experience | 20 |
Capstone Project | 30 |
Crop Development and Quality | 15 |
Weather and Crop Protection | 10 |
Soil and Water Dynamics | 15 |
Pest, Diseases and Weeds | 15 |
Total | 120 |
Block courses
All the courses will be run in blocks for industry-based students. This applies to full-time students also, with the exception of the Capstone Course which will be completed over two semesters (February-November or July-June).
Please email jason.barry@op.ac.nz for more information.
Your workload
To discuss expected workload please contact jason.barry@op.ac.nz
Further study options
Continue your learning with degree and postgraduate-level horticulture programmes at Lincoln and Massey Universities in New Zealand.
Additional costs
You must have clothing and footwear suitable for the outdoors.
Student loans/allowances
Whilst this programme is free for you to study via the Trades and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF), this fund only covers tuition fees and compulsory costs such as student levies. It does not cover any additional costs or living costs. You can pay for additional and living costs by yourself if that is possible for you or by applying for a loan or allowance through Studylink.
It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful.
- For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website
Please note: Student Loans and Allowances and TTAF are available for domestic students only.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative ONLY. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.