Our rankings
We're ranked 60th globally for agriculture and forestry by the 2021 QS University Rankings by Subject.
Our graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th globally for employability by the 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely whilst the Australian border remains closed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely.
About this course
The Graduate Diploma in Agriculture and Environment trains you to solve the big challenges in the world: food security, climate change, and management of carbon, water and the environment. With lots of professional experience in the lab and out in the field, you’ll be ready to contribute to a booming sector that generates over $150 billion a year in production, contributes around 16% of Australia's export earnings, and tackles the biggest global issues of our time.
The one-year Graduate Diploma in Agriculture and Environment is the perfect next step for graduates already trained by a degree in Science, Economics or related work experience (accreditation subject to approval).
Within this articulated degree you will complete a research project where you will be innovatively addressing modern-day problems, while also honing your skills in project management, communication and cross-disciplinary thinking. You can choose from a range of specialist streams depending on where your interests lie. Importantly, the course gives you lots of hands-on experience, which helps to make you highly sought-after by employers in both the public and private sectors.
Your studies will be bolstered by state-of-the-art facilities that are among the best in Australia. These include our Centre for Carbon, Water and Food – the first of its kind in the nation – and the world-renowned Plant Breeding Institute. In 2015, our IA Watson International Grains Research Centre became the largest regional grains research centre in the country.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
Late applications may be considered subject to availability of places. We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
Late applications may be considered subject to availability of places. We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma of Agriculture and Environment complete 48 credit points (cp) of study including 24cp of core units of study and 24cp of elective units of study, including 12cp of specialisation units.
Many units of study are based on compulsory fieldwork carried out prior to the commencement of semester, so all students should be available to participate in fieldwork excursions two weeks prior to the commencement of semester.
Specialisation units are available in the areas of:
Sample study plan:
Year |
Sem |
Unit of study |
Unit of study |
Unit of study |
Unit of study |
|
1 |
1 |
AFNR5511 Soil Processes, Assessment and Management |
AGRO4003 Crop and Pasture Agronomy |
Specialisation elective |
Elective |
|
|
2 |
AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues |
ECOS3013 Environmental Economics |
Specialisation elective |
Elective |
A successful applicant for admission to the Graduate Diploma of Agriculture and Environment will:
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Handbooks Online and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents.
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Agriculture and Environment are eligible for membership of several professional bodies in the fields of agriculture and natural resource management.
Opportunities for skilled graduates are in growing fields such as:
Our graduates are employed in a range of industries such as:
