Master of Agricultural Science
Overview
Master the science to tackle global environmental challenges and improve agricultural practices anywhere in the world.
As the world’s population continues to expand, demand is high for agricultural scientists. A study from the Australian Farm Institute found there were 6 jobs to every agricultural university graduate in Australia in 2021.
This program is designed for recent graduates in any field, those with a Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Science, and for established professionals wanting to upgrade their skills.
Select from nearly 40 courses allowing you to tailor your studies to suit your interests, expanding your career prospects into a wide range of government, commercial, community or research-based roles.
You’ll be exposed to the latest advances in agricultural science, including precision agriculture techniques, genetic technologies and sustainable resource management.
Access some of the best animal and agricultural facilities in the Southern Hemisphere, specialist research greenhouses, and more than 1,000 hectares of working farmland.
Choose to undertake an independent research project to increase your technical and research skills working alongside world-class academics with an active research focus or in an industry setting.
Graduate ready to apply leadership, research and problem-solving skills to meet the global challenges associated with feeding the world and maintaining our environment in the areas of animal welfare, biosecurity concerns, and competition for limited resources.
The Master of Agricultural Science can provide a pathway into an MPhil or PhD.
Program highlights
- Access some of the best animal and agricultural facilities in the Southern Hemisphere across more than 1,000 hectares of subtropical farmlands.
- Be exposed to the latest advances in agricultural science, including precision agriculture techniques, genetic technologies and sustainable resource management.
- Learn from research academics who are world leaders in their disciplines, with access to extensive specialist research facilities across 2 campuses.
- Apply and sharpen your skills through field visits and laboratory practicals as part of your courses.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Research experience
- Laboratory work
- Fieldwork
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Agricultural Research Methodologies
- Leadership in Rural Industries and Communities
- Global Challenges in Agriculture
- Principles of Plant Physiology
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Agricultural scientist
- Agronomist
- Horticulturalist
- Agricultural consultant
- Extension and inspection officer
- Plant protection adviser
Average annual salary range
Protection Officer
seek.com.au
Average annual salary range
Agronomist
seek.com.au
Next steps after graduation
The agriculture sector is a growing industry, contributing billions of dollars annually to the Australian and international economies.
With an estimated 6 jobs to every agricultural university graduate in Australia, postgraduate study in agricultural science allows you to expand your career prospects into a wide range of government, commercial, community or research-based roles related to:
- Agronomy and horticulture
- Agricultural science in government, industry and international institutions
- Agricultural consultancy
- Management of agricultural enterprises
- Advising in banks
- Animal science and dairy technology
- Agricultural and resource economics
- Extension and inspection
- Land information systems
- Plant protection or horticultural consultancy
- Education (after completing a Graduate Diploma of Education).
I was impressed by the staff and their unlimited support; the lecturers and tutors are amazing and they try to make the course enjoyable.
I was impressed by the staff and their unlimited support; the lecturers and tutors are amazing and they try to make the course enjoyable.
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7 April
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Stories
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Careers
Career opportunities in agricultural science
4-minute read
Uni life
What’s it like to study agriculture, environment and sustainability as a postgraduate?
6-minute read
Stories
See all storiesCareers
Career opportunities in agricultural science
4-minute read
Uni life
What’s it like to study agriculture, environment and sustainability as a postgraduate?
6-minute read
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 2 years or 1.5 years depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
2-year degree (32 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
- a graduate certificate or graduate diploma in agricultural science, or
- to have successfully completed at least 3 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Agricultural Science.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
1.5-year degree (24 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in agricultural science, animal science, biological science, plant science, botany, horticulture or agronomy veterinary science, wildlife biology or zoology.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Agricultural Science are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Additional application information
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$4,730
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
$4,730
2025
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $50,560
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
AUD $50,560
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Agricultural Science are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government has approved this master's program for income support payments to be made to eligible students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Agricultural Science is 5564.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Agricultural Science is 5564.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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