Australia's most innovative Horticulture Masterclass is now more flexible

The Masterclass in Horticultural Business course is now open for mid-year intakes and part-time study options...

The Masterclass in Horticultural Business was launched in 2017 by The University of Tasmania, in partnership with some of the world’s leading names in horticulture, including Lincoln University (NZ), the Wageningen Research Academy (Netherlands) and Hort Innovation. The ten-month program is delivered predominantly online, with several face-to-face workshops and on-farm experiences, and is designed to give anyone already working or studying in Australian horticulture a pathway to leadership through the development of business and management skills, a comprehensive industry understanding, and invaluable networks with some of the field’s savviest growers and industry members from a variety of sectors.

The course runs on the traditional university term timetable, but until now has only been available annually as a full-time program to be commenced in term one, each February. However, to allow students to better tailor the program to their busy professional lives, the Masterclass will now be available for commencement in term three (July 15^th), with the option to study part-time.

Develop Your business plan with industry experts

The Masterclass is based around the development of each student’s personal strategic business plan via a range of engaging, interactive, and flexible learning methods. Upon completion of the program, you’ll present your strategic business plan to a panel of experts from both the education and professional sector. This means students leave the experience not only with the knowledge to take their careers further, but with a fully realised pathway for the future ahead.

Is the Masterclass the right choice for your career?

The Masterclass is designed to accommodate each students’ individual needs and ambitions. Some of those who have already used the program as a pivotal choice in their career have included:

• Those looking to undertake the course as succession preparation for the businesses they work for.
• Those looking to start their own horticulture business, or who have started their own business and want to take it to the next level.
• Those working in horticulture who are looking to upskill for career progression ambitions or strengthen their current positions with broadened business capabilities.
• Those who have been involved in running a horticulture business for some time, but who are looking to bring that business up to speed in the contemporary horticulture and consumer landscape.

The course is also designed to be accessible for those with no previous academic or tertiary education experience. Entrance to the course is determined by each participant’s experience in the field.

What will you learn?

The course is divided into the following modules:

• Horticulture Management
• People and Culture
• Supply Chain Management and Logistics
• Financial Management and Law
• Horticulture Marketing and Communication
• Global Trends and International Business
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Business Development and Strategy
• Portfolio and Practice

These modules are delivered using a dedicated online platform. Alongside this, student interaction is encouraged via online groups. The program also includes three face-to-face interactive weekend sessions where you’ll undertake interactive workshops, have access to teachers and supervisors, get to know your fellow students, and have the opportunity to visit a range of farms where you can talk to, and learn from, some of the best in the business.

How do I pay for the course?

The Masterclass in Horticultural Business will cost students around $10,000. However, just like any tertiary program, this can be paid upfront, or over time using the HECS scheme. To find out more about the HECS scheme, visit https://www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/hecs-help. There is also a range of industry scholarships for the course that are awarded each year to students already working in the associated industry.

Ready to take your horticulture career further?

Applications for the July intake of the Masterclass in Horticultural Business are now open. To learn more and apply online, or to see if your industry has any available scholarships for the program, visit the University of Tasmania.

Hear from 2018 graduate Tayla Field in this video…

MASTERCLASS IN HORTICULTURAL BUSINESS - TAYLA FIELD from Hort Innovation on Vimeo.