Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
Be part of the boom
Agriculture is about understanding the land, animals, crops and community.
For those seeking a career in the industry, our Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences is the degree of choice. It is ranked 45th in the world and is the only Agricultural Science degree in South Australia*.
What will you do?
Our hands-on approach to teaching will set you up to join this booming industry. You will:
- learn how to respond to global food shortages and a changing climate with sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, modern agribusiness and new technology
- practice the latest methods, from adapting genes and cells for new crops to the business of livestock, and explore emerging trends, like vertical farming
- build practical skills through at least 450 hours of internships
- learn about industry-transforming technology, like drones, GPS and crop sensors
- go on field trips across Australia, exploring everything from dryland farming to glasshouse systems
- develop skills in agribusiness that will allow you to work in the business of farming
- access the latest research, innovation and technology through government and industry partners.
Where could it take you?
Within just a few months of finishing, almost 90% of our graduates find full-time employment**. In fact, on average there are four jobs available for every graduate***. You’ll be set to improve primary production outputs in both rural and city locations. You could work as a consultant, conduct sustainability research, advise on government policy or innovate in urban and vertical farming. You might get a job in ag media, connecting farmers to their customers. Perhaps you’ll come up with ways to increase farming efficiency using modern drone technology.
Note: this program is taught across multiple campuses depending on the courses that are undertaken. First year of this program is taught at North Terrace campus.
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte. You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.
*Academic Ranking of World Universities by Subject 2022
**Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences (QILT Outcome Results by Program 2018)
***ABC News, 2022
^^Delivering Ag2030, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 324561 |
|---|---|
| 2023 CSP ATAR | 66.35 |
| 2023 CSP IB | 24 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR | 75 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - IB | 27.5 |
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
| Assumed Knowledge | SACE Stage 2: Chemistry and Mathematical Methods IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL), and Chemistry. |
Selection Criteria
| Recent Secondary Education | Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Study | You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | 63.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | 80.75 | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | 99.15 | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 66.35 |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | 84.2 | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 99.95 | |
| Minimum eligibility score | 65 | |
| Additional criteria considered | Selection rank only | |
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Admissions Transparency Data
Student Profile
Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023 Number of students Percentage of all students (A) Higher Education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)18 26.9% (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/A (C) Work and life experience
(admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)N/A N/A (D) Recent secondary education: - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
44 65.7% - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
N/A N/A - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
<5 N/A International students <5 N/A All students 67 100.0% - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
Ready to Apply?
Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.
Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.
ApplyFees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $6,385
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.
Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.
To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships
To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships
Careers
Career Readiness
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.
The proportion of agricultural graduates in full-time employment is 12-15% higher than graduates from other degrees.
In fact, 91% of our Bachelor of Agricultural Science graduates find full-time employment within just a few months of graduation.
You will be highly sought after for positions such as consulting in the livestock and cropping industries, banking and research as well as natural resource management.
You’ll be well-positioned for employment in industries such as:
- advisory and regulatory services
- agricultural and business consulting
- agricultural production
- agronomy
- banking and rural finance
- managing commercial enterprises
- journalism, communication and marketing
- research and technical work
- secondary, tertiary and vocational education.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Industry Placement
Unlike many other universities, we offer industry work experience: a total of 12 weeks, or 450 hours. This is done during university vacations.
In your first and third year, you’ll go on numerous field trips and excursions.
You’ll also have the opportunity for field trips to South-East South Australia and Queensland; and even international trips.
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Vineyard Management; Vineyard Operator; Vineyard Supervisor; Viticulturalist; Livestock Scientist; Merchant Banker; Biosecurity Officer; Geospatial Scientist; Agricultural Scientist; Animal Scientist ...
Degree Structure
The course is designed to provide broad training in science and agriculture. In the first year students develop basic skills in chemistry, biology and statistics and study core courses in soils and agriculture. In the second and third years students enrol in crop science, livestock science, soil science and agribusiness courses.
Field trips and excursions are incorporated into the first and third year of the program to expose students to best-practice in industry. Practical skills are developed through a professional internship (12 weeks or 450 hours) during the second half of the program. Study in the first year of the program is mainly at North Terrace and the second and third years of the program are based at the Waite and Roseworthy campuses.
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
- Core courses to the value of 57 units
- Elective courses to the value of 15 units
- Work based training/Extra Mural studies.
Example Study Plan
All courses are 3 units unless stated otherwise.
| Year I | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: | AGRIC 1510WT Agricultural Systems I AGRIC 1520WT Agricultural Production I BIOLOGY 1101 Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells BIOLOGY 1202 Biology I: Organisms CHEM 1611 Foundations of Chemistry IA (Ag and Vit) CHEM 1621 Foundations of Chemistry IB (Ag and Vit) SOIL&WAT 1000WT Soils and Landscapes I STATS 1000 Statistical Practice I |
| Year II | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: | AGRIC 2500WT Agricultural Biochemistry II AGRIC 2505RW Crop and Pasture Production II AGRIC 2510WT Agricultural Genetics II AGRIBUS 2520WT Agribusiness II ANIML SC 2503RW Livestock Production Science II PLANT SC 2510WT Foundations in Plant Science II PLANT SC 2500WT Microbiology and Invertebrate Biology II SOIL&WAT 2500WT Soil and Water Resources II |
| Year III | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: | AGRIBUS 3500WT Agricultural Economics and Policy III AGRIC 3515WT Agricultural Experimental Design and Analysis III AGRIC 3500WT Professional Skills in Agricultural Science III |
To satisfy the requirements for Work Based Training / Extra Mural Studies (EMS) students must adhere to the following:
Students must complete a total of 12 weeks of professional work experience to the value of at least 450 hours, including satisfactorily completing all associated assessment items.
Assessment
- Varies with individual courses and includes a combination of oral presentations, written assignments, practical or examination work
Related Degrees
Testimonial
Field trips and practicals that were run as part of the Bachelor of Ag degree helped develop my knowledge and was a key reason why I have had success in my career.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Thursday, 6 Jun 2024
