Course details

Summary

Pathway to masters

A postgraduate diploma is the stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a master's.

WHAT IS IT LIKE?

Massey University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Horticultural Science) gives you the opportunity to join the pathway to in-depth research at a masters level. The programme consists of 90 credits of taught programmes and 30 credits of research.

The programme gives you the opportunity to show your analytical thinking and high-level research capability. If you complete the programme at a satisfactory level you may be able to proceed to the Master of Science (Horticultural Science). If so, credits you have gained through this qualification may be credited to the masters programme.

Take advantage of our globally-renowned expertise

Let our experts help you develop your own expertise. You will learn from, and research with, highly-skilled internationally-recognised and active researchers in horticulture, with a huge depth of knowledge and experience. Our current specific areas of horticulture research expertise include fruit and vegetable innovation, high-value plant products and services, applied plant and horticultural science and seed science and technology.

You will also be able to take advantage of Massey’s expertise across the sciences. We have a wide and relevant group of expertise within the university, from engineering and fundamental sciences like microbiology and biochemistry, to agriculture, environmental management and food technology and innovation.

This means no matter what your research interest you will have access to a broad range of experts to assist you develop your own research project.

Use world-leading equipment and facilities

As a horticulture student you will have access to our world-leading equipment and facilities such as our controlled environment plant growth facilities, the unique and extensive university orchards and state-of-the-art plant physiology and biology equipment.

Be surrounded by the best

Massey University is a partner in the Joint Graduate School for Horticulture and Food Enterprise (with Plant and Food). Massey University is also home to ‘foodHQ’, New Zealand’s international centre for collaborative food research. FoodHQ is collaboration between organisations including Massey University, AgResearch, AsureQuality, the Cawthorn Institute, SR, Fonterra, Plant & Food Research and the Riddet Institute. There is a breadth of horticultural research activities at Massey, including the work to understand the effects of light in improving crop production and quality, research on fruit crops such as kiwifruit and apples, Maori vegetable crop science, and plant disease.

Careers

Sought after by employers

International trends are for employers to reward postgraduate study well, especially in larger e skills you learn are increasingly recognised as setting you apart from other potential employees.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Horticultural Science) structure

You will follow a flexible course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits of courses at 700-level or above from the Schedule and may include attending field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.

Entry criteria

Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Horticultural Science) requires you to have either

• a bachelor’s degree majoring in Horticultural Science, or equivalent, with a minimum B- average in the majoring 300 level courses, or
• a bachelor’s degree followed by a Graduate Diploma endorsed in Horticultural Science, or equivalent, with a minimum B- average in the 300 level courses

English language requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT score of 90 overall (min 20 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 58 Overall (min 50 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 180