Bachelor of Horticultural Science – BHortSci

The Bachelor of Horticultural Science is focused on helping you become a horticulture graduate who can hit the ground running. It will give you the relevant, contemporary skills that the industry seek.

In demand by employers

Globally there are more jobs in horticulture than there are people to fill them. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the apple industry alone estimates that they need 150 graduates each year for the next decade. Horticulture will offer you a wide range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities across business and science roles.

Future-focused and industry-led

This qualification will give you an understanding of the breadth of horticulture. This includes everything from the genetics of plants to plant growth, the production of food, agribusiness, the influence of government policies, regulations and the Treaty of Waitangi Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. You will learn how products are marketed and sold, and how to understand what consumers want in international markets.

Experience before you graduate

Industry experience is integrated into this degree, with practical work courses allowing you to experience and analyse real-world scenarios while you are studying.

There are many opportunities to attend field trips, multi-day study tours around New Zealand and even international study tours to see world-leading horticultural operations and research.

Through your coursework there are also plenty of other practical applications and real-world experiences including guest lecturers from industry.

Variety of study

One of the best things about this degree is the variety of study. You’ll learn about plant biology, soils and cropping, be introduced to production horticulture, agribusiness and agri-related analytics and statistics. You’ll also study economics and applied chemistry and physics.

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language and your qualifying entry qualification was not taught in English, you must have achieved an IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0.

General information about English language requirements:

• Massey University English language requirements.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

• review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
• contact us through the Get advice button on this page.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Recommended prior learning

To be successful in your studies we recommend you have credits at NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) in some of the following subjects:

• agriculture or horticulture
• biology or science
• statistics.

These subjects will help ensure that your transition to university study is as smooth as possible.