Program Overview

Overview

The Master of Agricultural Science 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. This program is available in multiple durations, and students can apply for any duration as long as they meet the entry requirements.

Program Details

• The program code for the Master of Agricultural Science is 5564.
• The program is available in multiple durations: 1.5 years or 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent).
• The program is offered at the Gatton campus.
• The AQF level of the program is 9.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent), students 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.
• Students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in their previous qualification.

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent), students 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, or
• To have successfully completed at least 3.5 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, including research requirements, with a formal pathway to the Master of Agricultural Science.
• Students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in their previous qualification.

Fees and Scholarships

• The indicative annual fee for domestic students is $4,980 (2026).
• The approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units) for international students is AUD $54,096 (2026).
• There are more than 100 scholarships available for students.

How to Apply

• All international applications should be submitted to UQ.
• The program code for the Master of Agricultural Science is 5564.
• This program is available in multiple durations, and students can apply for any duration as long as they meet the entry requirements.
• When applying, students should select their preferred duration. If they don't meet the requirements for their first preference, they will be automatically considered for entry into a longer duration.

Career Possibilities

• Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Some of the careers students could be on their way to include:
  • Agricultural scientist
  • Agronomist
  • Horticulturalist
  • Agricultural consultant
  • Extension and inspection officer
  • Plant protection adviser
• Average annual salary ranges for these careers are:
  • Protection Officer: $85K-$105K
  • Agronomist: $80K-$100K

Next Steps After Graduation

• 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.
• Postgraduate study in agricultural science allows students to expand their 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)

Program Highlights

• Learn from research academics who are world leaders in their disciplines, with access to extensive specialist research facilities across 2 campuses.
• 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 across more than 1,000 hectares of subtropical farmlands.
• 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.
• Learning methods include:
  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Work placements
  • Research experience
  • Laboratory work
  • Fieldwork

What You'll Study

• At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Some of the courses you could study in this program include:
  • Agricultural Research Methodologies
  • Leadership in Rural Industries and Communities
  • Global Challenges in Agriculture
  • Principles of Plant Physiology

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, please refer to the university's website.

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 students must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Additional Application Information

• International students must undertake this program on campus at UQ on a full-time basis to be eligible to apply for an Australian student visa.
• Please contact UQ International for support with applying or if you have any questions about university life.