• Agricultural and Environmental Economics
• Agricultural and Environmental Technologies
• Biosphere and Atmosphere Interactions
• Forest and Tree Technologies
• Horticultural Technologies

• Graduate Certificate in Agriculture
• Graduate Diploma in Agriculture

Study plan

Candidates for the degree of the Master of Agriculture complete 48 credit points (cp) of study including a research project as a capstone experience with a value of 24cp. Many units of study are based on compulsory fieldwork carried out prior to the commencement of semester, so all students should be available to participate in fieldwork excursions two weeks prior to the commencement of semester. You will complete a specialisation in agricultural and environmental economics, agricultural and environmental technologies, biosphere atmosphere interactions, forest and tree technologies, horticulture technologies and your project will define your area of specialisation in the degree. The project will enable you to develop skills in cross-disciplinary thinking and project management and will comprise four units of study (24cp) being Research Proposal and Approach (AFNR5904), Research Review (ANFR5901), Research Paper (ANFR5905), and Research Communication (AFNR5906). All research projects will commence in semester 1 unless exemption is approved by the dean. Students who have completed relevant prior learning at an equivalent level elsewhere may be given up to 12 cp advanced standing with the approval of the Dean.

Progression rules

A candidate for the degree of Master of Agriculture completes 24 credit points (cp) of study as a research project and 24 cp of study from the postgraduate elective units of study offered for the degree. All research projects will commence in semester 1 unless exemption is approved by the dean.

Capstone experience

A capstone experience comprises one or more units of study designed by the faculty to provide students with an opportunity to draw together the learning that has taken place during the award, synthesise this with their prior learning and experience, and draw conclusions that will form the basis for further investigation, and intellectual and/or professional growth. For the Master of Agriculture all candidates will undertake a research project as a capstone experience. The project enables students to develop skills in cross-disciplinary thinking and project management and comprises four units of study being Research Proposal and Approach (AFNR5904), Research Review (ANFR5901), Research Paper (ANFR5905), and Research Communication (AFNR5906). The research project defines the specialisation in the degree.

Graduate opportunities

Opportunities for skilled graduates are growing in fields such as carbon and water trading, food futures, ecohydrology, and sustainability, complementing recent developments in catchment management, land rehabilitation and molecular science. Our graduates are employed in agribusiness and marketing firms, merchant banks, commodity trading companies, environmental consultancies, and scientific research organisations around the world, government departments and the private sector.

Course accreditation

Graduates of the Sydney Master of Agriculture are eligible for membership of several professional bodies in the fields of agriculture and natural resource management.

Further study

Graduates of merit who wish to further their academic career may apply for admission to a higher degree by research in the fields of agriculture, food or natural resources. Candidates for the degrees of Master of Agricultural Economics, Master of Science in Agriculture, Doctor of Agricultural Economics, Doctor of Science in Agriculture, and Doctor of Philosophy [links] engage in research training leading to the preparation of a thesis which represents a significant contribution to their particular field of study. During this time candidates gain experience in research methodology, equipping them with skills which will serve them in any area of future research.

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the Sydney University Master of Agriculture degree will (a) hold a bachelor's degree with a credit average or an equivalent qualification, or (b) have completed the requirements for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification. In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications are made directly to the University via electronic application and assessed by the Faculty. On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of October.

Ancillary expenses

Compulsory field excursions as specified in the various units of study.

International students

How to apply

Applications are made directly to the University via electronic application and assessed by the Faculty. On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of October.

Ancillary expenses for international students

Compulsory field excursions as specified in the various units of study.

Domestic students

Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.

Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2013, tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.

Annual review for postgraduate domestic tuition fee

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

Please note that if you are classified by the University as a Research Training Scheme student in accordance with the Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2010, you will be exempt from the payment of any SCA or tuition fees for courses undertaken as part of a Research Masters degree and Research Doctoral degree. More information about your eligibility for this Scheme is available here.

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2013, tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. The University's Future Students' webpage has further information about these additional incidental fees for postgraduate coursework students and postgraduate research students.

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.