| Qualification: | Certificate |
| Level: | 3 |
| Dates: | 2026 Semester 2: 20 July to 13 November |
| Duration: | 17 weeks full-time Up to two years part-time
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| Location: | |
| Credits: | 50 |
Learn about the factors influencing organic production, the biotic interactions which occur in organic production ecosystems, soil and ground preparation for organic production, and how to control for weeds, animal pest, and disease in an organic production activity.
The aims of the qualification are as follows:
This programme is delivered onsite by the Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust (BHU). More information about the BHU can be found at
All papers are compulsory
| ENVI3201 | Organic Production
Credits: 10 | Aim | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to apply organic principles, certification and organic compliance requirements. |
| LO1 | Describe the principles of organic production. | ||
| LO2 | Describe organic certification available in Aotearoa, New Zealand | ||
| LO3 | Apply inputs for a crop in an integrated organic production system. | ||
| ENVI3202 | Organic System Health
Credits: 15 | Aim | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to carry out system health activities. |
| LO1 | Describe management techniques for common pests, diseases, disorders and weeds found in an organic production system. | ||
| LO2 | Apply integrated pest management techniques to an organic production system. | ||
| ENVI3203 | Soils and Composting
Credits: 15 | Aim | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to understand basic soil properties and apply processes for soil health in an organic system. |
| LO1 | Describe soil properties and processes relevant to organic production. | ||
| LO2 | Describe soil management techniques in organic production. | ||
| LO3 | Apply soil amendments to support soil health in organic production. | ||
| ENVI3204 | Biodiversity in Organic Production
Credits: 10 | Aim | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to understand and carry out biodiversity improvement practices. |
| LO1 | Describe the methods and benefits of improving biodiversity in an organic production system. | ||
| LO2 | Support and enhance biodiversity in an organic production site. |
SIT Zero Fees Scheme
(e.g. $700 for 100 credit course)
International Fees:
$12500
Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options
Graduates of this qualification are likely to be employed, or self-employed as an:
School Leavers
Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2 as follows:
Mature Applicants
Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 2 or above and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment
IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE)
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14)
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill.
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 3 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 3 (General)
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36
Language Cert - B1 Achiever International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
Trinity ISE - ISE I with no less than distinction in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current
This programme of study is supported by the Biological Husbandry Unit Organic Farm located in Lincoln. Information about the Biological Husbandry Unit can be found at: or by calling their office at 03 325 3684
Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.
What is the Zero Fees Scheme?
The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay and a non-refundable administration fee. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.
Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?
Instructions to help you with your application:
If you are a new student …
Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.
What happens next?
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 3), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:
Please Note: ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement..
Important: To successfully complete this paper, students need to achieve an overall mark of at least 50%, achieving no less than 35% for each individual assessment. All assessments must be attempted.
Tutorial times: Monday-Wednesday 9am-3pm
Assessments are varied, and include practical activities, short paragraph questions, reports, multichoice tests, etc.
Important: To successfully complete this paper, students need to achieve an overall mark of at least 50%, achieving no less than 35% for each individual assessment. All assessments must be attempted.
For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.