This program applies to students who commenced in Spring 2020 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

Protected cropping is one of the fastest growing food producing sectors in Australia. This unique Graduate Diploma/Graduate Certificate in Protected Cropping offers you exciting learning opportunities to extend your knowledge and further develop your expertise in the areas of science, technology and business with a strong focus on intensive horticulture. The highlight for your learning journey is the Masterclass experience, where you will be meeting with industry experts and working on real life industry challenges in a world-class greenhouse facility. Themes for the Masterclass include software and hardware systems, crop and produce management, integrated pest management and fertigation systems. In addition, you will have the opportunity to set up and complete your own protected cropping industry project by integrating and applying what you have learned. It will also help you to harness and showcase leadership, communication and business skills. This versatile degree will open up more doors for your future, including articulation into postgraduate study, bringing back the latest research findings and practices to your workplace, or exploring new career options in the field of horticulture with an elevated perspective and a new skillset.

Study Mode

One year full-time or two years part-time

Course Advice

Program Advice

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Hawkesbury Campus	Full Time	Internal	Zhonghua Chen
Hawkesbury Campus	Part Time	Internal	Zhonghua Chen

Accreditation note

The Graduate Certificate in Protected Cropping and the Graduate Diploma in Protected Cropping are not accredited but recognised by Protected Cropping Australia and the Hydroponic Farmers Federation.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is an optional work component available in this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the program but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation.  For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

• Work Integrated learning is included in the four technical subjects which will each include a three-day masterclass with the involvement of the protected cropping industry through guest lecturing, presentations and site visits to industry facilities.

• Students will also undertake an industry project which will address a protected cropping issue proposed by an industry partner.

• Students will be supervised on site visits by arrangement with the industry partner and overseen by an academic staff member. This program is part of the Graduate Diploma in Protected Cropping and Graduate Certificate in Protected Cropping, developed and delivered with the support of partners through a research agreement with the Horticulture Innovation Australia. The research agreement provides initial support for industry liaison, including site visits, through a funded position. The agreement is subject to ongoing review and evaluation by WSU and industry partners.

Admission

Applicants must have successfully completed:

an undergraduate degree, or higher, in agriculture, horticulture, environment, science, technology or business

Or

An undergraduate degree, or higher, in any discipline and two years full-time equivalent professional experience in technical or management roles in the agriculture, horticulture, environment, science, technology or business industry areas.

Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application. 

Statement of Service form

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Subject List

Subject	Title	Credit Points
Session 1
HORT 7006	Plant-Climate Interactions in Controlled Environments	10
HORT 7001	Advanced Greenhouse Technology	10
HORT 7004	Industry Project	10
BUSM 7011	Business Operations and Logistics	10
Session 2
HORT 7002	Greenhouse Control Systems	10
HORT 7003	Greenhouse Crop Production	10
HORT 7005	Industry Project (Extended)	10
BUSM 7086	Strategic Business Management	10
Total Credit Points		80