Agricultural Science provides the technology and research for sustainable, profitable and ethical food production worldwide.
Introduction
World populations and economies are rapidly increasing their demand for food. At the same time, agricultural systems are being placed under pressure to meet environmental, social and economic goals.
A major in Agricultural Science will provide you with the tools to address the complex factors that shape agricultural systems.
$5,000 p.a. scholarships (for the duration of the degree) are available for students entering their first year of our Agricultural Science degree - see the Horizon Scholarship.
Back to top
Course description, features and facilities
Australian agriculture is a key part of the world's food supply system. The challenges of a rapidly growing population, climate change, and the limitations of land and fresh water all impact on the ability of agriculture to meet the demand for food, fibre and fuel. To address this demand an understanding of the complex factors that shape agricultural systems is necessary.
Agricultural Science provides the research, technology and information for the sustainable, profitable and ethical development of the agricultural industry. Studies in agriculture include soil science, genetics, cropping and pasture systems, soil-plant interaction, livestock production, agricultural economics and agribusiness.
Teaching methods consist of lectures from leading experts and industry representatives, weekly practical and laboratory classes and tutorials. This major also includes field work and two 3-day field trips.
UWA is well equipped for teaching and research in agricultural science, with a field station at Shenton Park and the University's new Future Farm 2050 near Pingelly, which aims to be self-supporting, sustainable, carbon-neutral, clean, green and ethical – a best practice farm. Teaching in agricultural science is also supported by the outstanding research and outreach activities of the Institute of Agriculture, the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA), the International Centre for Plant Breeding Education and Research (ICPBER) and the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI).
Visit the Science website for further information on careers in science, graduate profiles, scholarships and the benefits of choosing science at UWA.
Back to top
Student profile
Student profile – Carmen Pol
Studying Agricultural Science at UWA was a great choice for me. It offered many wonderful experiences in the classroom and outdoors, learning about animal production, crop management and soil studies. It also provided hands on experience, and many informative field trips.
Studying at UWA also opened up to doors to travel overseas, and learn agricultural practices of a rural community (Bozeman, Montana) in the United States for a year, through the student exchange program.
My Agricultural Science degree led on to an honours project working with plants, and analysing ways to make a farmer’s life easier, with new solutions for saline land. My supervisors and professors at UWA were helpful, encouraging and made studying a joy!
Back to top
Structure
UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.
As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.
You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.
Back to top
Professional Recognition
Graduates with a major in Agricultural Science are eligible for membership with the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST).
Back to top
Career opportunities
There is a shortage of agricultural science graduates - six vacancies exist for every graduate! Career opportunities range from the laboratory to the field, from the city to rural areas, as breeders, agronomist, farm managers, market development officers, journalists and bankers.
Graduates are employed as consultants, managers or researchers, by government agencies, universities, consulting firms, food industries, fertiliser companies, and international agencies.
"Career Harvest" is a website launched by the Australian Council of Deans Of Agriculture to assist with finding professional careers in agriculture.
I want to be a…
This course could lead to becoming a:
Back to top
Further study opportunities
Students with an Agricultural Science major can pursue further studies at
Honours level and/or at masters level. A Master's can be studied either by Coursework (for example Agricultural Economics, Plant Production, Animal Production, Genetics and Breeding or Soil Science) or by Research (Thesis and Coursework in, for example, Agricultural Economics or Agricultural Science).
Back to top
Check the Entrance requirements
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Additional information
- Recommended subjects
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- A scaled score of 50 or above in at least WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
| 80 |
International Baccalaureate
- A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
| 29 |
Additional information
Prerequisites and recommended courses may not apply to students completing this major as a second major in a degree other than the Bachelor of Science.
Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).
Recommended subjects
| Qualification and recommended subjects |
|---|
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3A/3B
|
International Baccalaureate
- A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Methods)
|
English competency
University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.
The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.
Advanced standing
If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).
Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 12 |
International Baccalaureate
A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies) | 29 |
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Mathematics units as specified in UWAFP prospectus | 66 |
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in GCE AS-level Mathematics. | 8 |
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
A scaled mark of 50 or more in at least Mathematics 2C/2D | 63 |
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 85 |
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 270 |
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 60 |
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
A grade of B6 or above in Mathematics; if you do not have Advanced Mathematics (I) or (II), you will be required to complete a mathematics unit in your first year. | 12 |
Chinese Gao Kao
A score of 80 (out of 150) or above in Mathematics | 525 |
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 12 |
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 60 |
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 4.14 |
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 15.70 |
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 3.17 |
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in H1-level Mathematics. | 8 |
South African National Senior Certificate
A grade of 3 (40%) or above in Mathematics | 4.60 |
These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.
If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications
you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.
Advanced standing
Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).
How to apply
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- How to apply
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.
First semester entry
Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre.
Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Second semester entry
Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.
After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
How to apply
Information for
UWA Admissions Centre (M353)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Location
- UWA Map
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
- 1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
- Fax
- (+61 8) 6488 1226
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Opening hours
- Monday – Friday, 9am–4pm
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- How to apply
- Fees
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
First semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
You must also:
Second semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
You must also:
How to apply
This contains text about How to Apply - International
Fees
$30980, per year.
This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student fee will depend on the mix of units you choose. The international student fees page has further details.
Information for
UWA International Centre (M352)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 3939
- Fax
- (+61 8) 9382 4071
- Contacts
- International Centre
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Location
- UWA Map
- Opening hours
- Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
- About UWA
- Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
- Foundation and preparatory courses
- There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
- Social life on campus
- There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.
