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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March
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Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
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Location
Lismore, Online
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Placement
No
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
GradDipRA
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Course code
1108440
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Credit points
96
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Equivalent units
8
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
-
Start Date
February
-
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
-
Location
Lismore
-
Placement
No
-
ATAR
Not applicable
-
Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
GradDipRA
-
Course code
1108440
-
Credit points
96
-
Equivalent units
8
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
-
CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Regenerative Agriculture provides students with insight into the processes of transition required to build more resilient farming systems and rural societies.
Drawing on multi-disciplinary knowledges, this course will provide graduate students a sound understanding of how to apply the principles and practices of regenerative agriculture in different farming contexts. They will also learn how to effectively work with landholders and support transitions towards regenerative systems. Students with a science background can select a soil specialisation, or elective units.
This course draws on the University’s specialist expertise in plant science, agronomy, ecology and socio-ecological systems to develop a higher-level understanding of the philosophies underpinning regenerative agriculture and enables students to integrate cross-disciplinary knowledge to develop innovative solutions to agribusiness and land management challenges.
It is designed for students who want to be a part of a new way of farming that better supports, and is supported by natural processes, building more resilient farms and farmers in a future of increased seasonal and weather variability.
This course responds to industry need not only for regenerative farmers but also for regenerative agronomists and consultants who can advise and guide the supply of food and fibre from regenerative farms and support improved land management. This postgraduate qualification is suited both to people already working in the farming and agribusiness sector and also to those who wish to transition into this dynamic and important industry.
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“We had two or three residentials a year and that included farm visits. We visited a whole range of farms, from strawberry farms to cotton farms, beef enterprises, and horticulture. It gave us an opportunity to speak to real farmers who are putting into practice what we were learning.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Develop creative solutions to dynamic complex problems in agriculture, by synthesising information from a range of relevant multidisciplinary sources and disciplines, using an approach grounded in holism. Demonstrate an integrative understanding of regenerative agriculture by critically evaluating the role and relevance of regenerative agriculture and its application in society. |
GA2: Creativity Develop creative solutions to dynamic complex problems in agriculture, by synthesising information from a range of relevant multidisciplinary sources and disciplines, using an approach grounded in holism. |
GA3: Ethical practice Reflect on the role of self, ethics and continuous learning in building new discipline-specific knowledge and applying it to socio-ecological challenges in science and agriculture. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Demonstrate a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the nature of complex socio-ecological systems in an agricultural context. Demonstrate an integrative understanding of regenerative agriculture by critically evaluating the role and relevance of regenerative agriculture and its application in society. Demonstrate an integrative understanding of the major biophysical, social and policy drivers that underpin agricultural practice and how they contribute to practice change. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Reflect on the role of self, ethics and continuous learning in building new discipline-specific knowledge and applying it to socio-ecological challenges in science and agriculture. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Effectively communicate and generate ideas, concepts and knowledge for a variety of stakeholders in the agricultural context using a range of mediums. |
GA7: Cultural competence Incorporate diverse cultural perspectives and Indigenous ways of knowing to inform understandings of complex and interconnected ecological, social and economic systems. |
Students complete six core units:
- Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
- Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
- Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practices
- Regenerative Agricultural Strategies
- Planning Rural Landscapes
- Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems
and two units from the soil specialisation or elective units.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Lismore | Term 1 |
| Online | Term 1 |
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lismore | Term 1 | $35,280 ($4,410 per unit) | 109436M |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
Graduates will have enhanced employment opportunities within organisations seeking graduates with a good understanding of regenerative agriculture principles and practice, with advanced skills in problem solving in the context of complex socio-ecological systems, for farm and landscape management.
The course prepares students seeking senior management, leadership and consultancy roles within a diverse range of industries including agriculture, land management, food and fibre production and supply chain management, within private and public sectors including on farms, with agronomic consulting companies, in landcare programs, research, education, interpretation programs and government departments such as Local Land Services, DPI and PIRSA.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Listening | minimum 6.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.0 |
| Writing | minimum 6.0 |
Course requirements
- 1 specialisation in Soils or Indigenous Knowledge; (96 credit points) OR
- 6 core units (72 credit points) and equivalent 2 option units (24 credit points)
To be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture, students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why Science and Environment at SCU
Global top 350
We're ranked in the global top 350 in Agriculture and Forestry
(QS Rankings 2023)5-star rating
We’re rated 5-stars for learning resources, student support and teaching quality
(Good Universities Guide 2023: Science and Mathematics)Guaranteed entry with Diploma of Science
Guaranteed entry with Diploma of Science into our Bachelor of Science with a choice of specialisations
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.
Apply now
Preparing to apply
- Check requirements
- Get supporting documents ready
- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.