Advance your environmental or landscaping career with CSU's Bachelor of Horticulture. Become a multi-skilled professional capable of fulfilling a range of management and leadership roles while gaining a strong foundation in science, applied plant science, management, finance and communication.

Study horticulture with CSU to hone your skills and enhance sustainability of rural industries and regional economic development.

• Why study this course?

  With a strong science foundation, CSU's Bachelor of Horticulture offers you the platform for building your level of influence and value across the environment, landscape or production industries.

  Study at your own place and pace

  Offered online, this course enables you to balance your study with work, family and lifestyle commitments. You will learn using a range of online resources and communication tools, as well as through attending residential schools on campus for some subjects, and undertaking workplace learning in industry.

  GOTAFE pathway

  The Certificate IV or Diploma of Production Horticulture at Goulburn Ovens TAFE (GOTAFE) provides a pathway to CSU's Bachelor of Horticulture. Graduates of these TAFE qualifications will receive credit towards their CSU degree.

  Learn from industry leaders

  CSU's School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences is the largest and most successful provider of agricultural, horticultural and wine science education supporting rural industries in Australia. Operating out of the Orange and Wagga Wagga campuses, the school includes more than 70 academics, research, technical and administrative staff, offering courses and research focus in fields such as agriculture, horticulture, winemaking and viticulture. Research is undertaken through key CSU Research Centres, and staff have major involvement in national Cooperative Research Centres – linking universities, government bodies and industry organisations across Australia to focus on national sector-wide issues. The school's industry links ensure courses remain relevant and topical, and that we develop graduates who will make an impact on their profession.

• Career opportunities

  Horticulture covers a wide range of industries and activities that are increasingly important to Australia and the world.

  Drive policy development

  Influence industry evolution as a policy development officer or lobbyist.

  Research and development

  Work at the cutting edge of the industry, developing, testing and implementing new technologies, techniques and tools.

  Specialise in agribusiness

  Grow you family's venture or lead teams across major regional producers.

• Professional recognition

  Students and graduated students are eligible for membership to the Australian Society for Horticultural Science.

• Credit and pathways

  The Bachelor of Horticulture is well suited to TAFE graduates who wish to upgrade their existing qualifications and to those in, or wishing to enter, these exciting industries. Arrangements are in place to assist with this articulation and are updated on a regular basis.

  Standard CSU Credit Regulations apply.

  The following provisions for Credit from TAFE courses apply:

  • Certificate 3: Up to 8 points
  • Certificate 4: Up to 32 points
  • Diploma: Up to 64 points
  • Advanced Diploma: Up to 96 points

• Workplace learning

  Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:

  AHT274 Industry Practice

• Subjects

  The below information is for new students. Current students should select their subjects by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment

  Course structure

  The course of 192 credit points (CR) composed as follows:

  Common Core Subjects

  AGB110 Agricultural Economics (8CR)
  AGB310 Agricultural Marketing (8CR)
  AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture (8CR)
  AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling (8CR)
  AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture (8CR)
  AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management (8CR)
  AHT274 Industry Practice (8CR) OR SCI301 International Practical Experience (8CR)
  PSC104 Soil Science (8CR)

  Additional Compulsory Subjects

  AGR220 Extension (8CR)
  AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8CR)
  AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences (8CR)
  CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals (8CR)
  IRR200 Principles of Irrigation (8CR)
  HRT301 Plant Propagation (8CR)
  HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8CR)
  HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8CR)
  PSC102 Botany (8CR)
  PSC201 Invertebrate Pest Management (8CR)
  PSC215 Plant Physiology (8CR)
  PSC371 Plant Pathology (8CR)
  PSC415 Soil Management (8CR)
  MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology (8CR)

  Two Restricted Electives

  Restricted electives can be chosen from any level 2 or above subjects with codes AGB, AGR, AGS, AHT, ASC, PSC, IRR, VIT or HRT as well as SCI301 International Practical Experience (when appropriate). Other codes may be allowed if appropriate rationale is provided and accepted by the Courses Director. Students should also consider FDS305 – Quality Assurance.

  Enrolment pattern

  Enrolment Pattern for the Bachelor of Horticulture (by Online study mode only)

  Year 1
  Session 1
  AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture (8CR)
  PSC102 Botany (8CR)
  
  Session 2
  AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling (8CR)
  MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology (8CR)

  Year 2
  Session 3
  AGB110 Agricultural Economics (8CR)
  CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals (8CR)
  
  Session 4
  IRR 200 Principles of Irrigation (8CR)
  PSC104 Soil Science (8CR)

  Year 3
  Session 5
  AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management  (8CR)
  PSC215 Plant Physiology (8CR)
  
  Session 6
  AGR202 Food Environment and Culture (8CR)
  AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences (8CR)

  Year 4
  Session 7
  HRT301 Plant Propagation (8CR)
  AGR237 Property Planning and Development (8CR)
  
  Session 8
  PSC371 Plant Pathology (8CR)
  PSC201 Invertebrate Pest Management (8CR)

  Students can exit at the end of Session 8 and will be granted an Associate Degree in Horticulture

  Year 5
  Session 9
  AGB310 Agricultural Marketing (8CR)
  PSC415 Soil Management (8CR)
  
  Session 10
  AGR220 Extension  (8CR)
  [ ] Restricted Elective (8CR)

  Year 6
  Session 11
  AHT274 Industry Practice (8CR) OR
  SCI301 International Practical Experience (8CR)
  HRT307 Flower Crop Management (8CR)
  
  Session 12
  HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management (8CR)
  [ ] Restricted Elective (8CR)

• Residential schools

  Students may need to attend residential school sessions on Orange Campus, although some may be held at Wagga Wagga Campus. Regular field trips are made to rural businesses. Orange Campus has well established facilities for horticultural education including plant propagation and glass houses within a horticulture centre. Orange is located in close proximity to major fruit, vegetable, nut, flower and grape industries.

  The following subjects may have a residential school component:

  AGR220 Extension
  PSC415 Soil Management
  CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
  PSC102 Botany
  MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
  AGS301 Weed and Pesticide Sciences
  PSC215 Plant Physiology
  IRR200 Principles of Irrigation
  PSC104 Soil Science
  PSC371 Plant Pathology
  PSC201 Invertebrate Pest Management
  HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management
  HRT301 Plant Propagation
  HRT307 Flower Crop Management

• Admission information

  To be admitted into the Bachelor of Horticulture, students must demonstrate one or more of the following:

  • TAFE: Certificate IV or higher is the minimum requirement
  • a combination of professional experience (minimum 3 years), incomplete tertiary studies and vocational studies to the satisfaction of the Courses Director.

  See standard CSU admission criteria

• Cost of study

  Fees - please visit the fees and costs page or contact us for current fee information.

  Tax deduction - in some instances a tax deduction may be claimed for self education expenses. Please seek independent qualified taxation advice.

• Course details

  Campus locations listed for Distance Education students are purely for administrative purposes and have no relevance to the student experience.

  Enrol Type	Mode	Campus	Fee type	Session1	Session2	Session3	Admission Code
  Direct	Distance Education	Orange	FPOS	Y	Y	N	JTOH
  Direct	Distance Education	Orange	CGS	Y	Y	N	ESBH
  Direct	Distance Education	Wangaratta	CGS	Y	N	N	ESHW

  LEGEND
  CGS: Commonwealth Government supported places
  FPPG: Fee-paying postgraduate places
  FPOS: Fee-paying overseas student places
  Admission Code: For your reference if required during your application process
  NO TAC: An admission code is not required for applications to CSU Study Centres
  TEMP: An admission code has not yet been assigned for this course

  Graduation requirements

  In order to graduate with the Bachelor of Horticulture, students must complete all common core subjects and restricted electives, making a total of 192 points.
  
  In order to exit from the Bachelor course with the Associate Degree in Horticulture, students must complete relevant common core subjects and restricted electives, making a total of 128 points.

• How to apply

  Australian and New Zealand students

  Apply direct to CSU

  An online application to CSU takes about 15 minutes to complete. Find out more

  Apply online

  International students

  Apply direct to CSU

  Apply direct to CSU for on campus study at a CSU regional campus, or study by distance education.

  Apply online

  Recruitment agent

  Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

  International recruitment agents

  Thinking of deferring?

  Find out more about deferral

• About the School

  The School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences

  The School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences is the largest and most successful provider of agricultural, horticultural and wine science education supporting rural industries in Australia. Operating out of the Orange and Wagga Wagga campuses, the School comprises of approximately 70 academics, research, technical and administration staff, offering courses and research focus in fields such as agriculture, horticulture, wine making and viticulture. Research is undertaken through key CSU Research Centres, and staff have major involvement in national Cooperative Research Centres – linking universities, government bodies and industry organisations across Australia to focus on national sector-wide issues. The School’s industry linkages ensure courses remain relevant and topical, and that we develop graduates who will make an impact within their profession.

• Preparing for Study

  We recommend the following Studylink subjects for this course:

  • SSS010 - Introduction to Chemistry
  • SSS021 - Transition to University Study

• Academic expectations

  For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

  Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

  Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

  Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

  Throughout their studies, CSU students have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English Language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to their discipline. This ongoing development will enable students to effectively participate in their course and graduate as competent professionals.