Master of Science in Agricultural Innovation (Advanced option available)
Overview
With a changing climate and increasing competition for land, water and energy resources, the agricultural sector needs to find innovative ways to do more with less. To achieve this, an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving is required.
The Master of Science in Agricultural Innovation is the only degree of its kind in Australia, building on the Australian National University's globally-recognised interdisciplinary expertise to equip you with the varied skills the agri-industry needs.
Whether you’re a student with a passion for engineering, a public servant well-versed in policy, or you’re looking to develop a career in an agricultural organisation or industry, ANU wants you to ask questions about local and global agriculture with us.
You will learn from world-leading experts from across ANU, industry and research partners. Hands-on learning will include research and technology that cuts across traditional discipline boundaries to address industry challenges.
Advanced program
The Master of Science (Advanced) in Agricultural Innovation program provides you with the opportunity to extend your practical and coursework experience with the development and implementation of a research project supervised by an academic. This is particularly relevant to those who wish to benefit from the research strengths of ANU and pursue a career in research.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for the Advanced version of this program.
Key facts
- #1 for Natural Sciences (QS 2024) in Australia
- 5 star rating for Agriculture & Environmental Studies (Good Universities Guide)
- 2 years full time
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs
- #1 in Australia for graduate employability (Times Higher Education)
- Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for the Advanced version of this program
Testimonials
Angus Dunne
"There are innovation subjects, there are business subjects, there are computing subjects, so you can really take the degree anywhere you want, and it gave me a whole new lens to look at the agricultural industry. We were also very lucky to have industry speakers every week so we were exposed to all this world of agriculture in Australia and overseas."
Paris Capell
"There have been a variety of experiences I wouldn't have been able to have in any other degree. I really enjoyed being on the ground with producers and being able to see some of what I'd studied with academics from a producer's perspective. Another awesome part of the degree is the connection to leading soil scientists: through that, I've been able to intern and be involved with different projects."
Careers
There is a high demand for agricultural expertise in Australia, with the need for graduates of tertiary agriculture qualifications being five times larger than the supply of graduates, according to the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture. With a Master of Science in Agricultural Innovation, you will graduate with the skills needed to meet this demand. You will have a systemic understanding of farm and agri-food value-chains and the skills to integrate and adapt knowledge from different disciplines to design novel solutions to complex agri-food challenges.
Depending on your cognate discipline, you can take up technical, applied, policy, and communication roles across the agri-sector and related industries including environmental management, business, computer science, biology, engineering, systems modelling, and others. You'll be able to bring adaptive critical systems thinking skills to government, industry and research institutions, with the capacity to enter at managerial and strategic-thinking level positions.
The Australian National University has been ranked as the top university for graduate employability in Australia in the Global University Employability Ranking 2023-24. As a student at ANU, you gain access to the ANU CareerHub – an online career development and employability tool that includes a jobs board and careers resources. You also have access to drop-in chats with a career consultant and to attend our career fairs to meet potential employers.
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Read Debbie's storyLearning experience
Australian Plant Phenomics Facility
Use state-of-the-art phenotyping tools at the only place in the world providing high-calibre public sector access to infrastructure and expertise on crop performance.
Check out the facility
Agrifood Innovation Institute
As a student of the Master of Science of Agricultural Innovation you'll work closely with Agrifood Innovation Institute, a joint initiative between the ANU and CSIRO, equipping you industry experience and networking connections.
Check out the facilityFees & scholarships
Fees
Please visit the Programs and Courses website for information about fees.
View fees View fees for advanced programScholarships
Whether you are looking for financial support to start your studies at ANU or help to move away from home for the first time, we have scholarship opportunities for you and your situation.
Convenors
Dr Rachael Rodney Harris
Rachael is an animal health, agriculture and public health researcher and educator. As well as convening the Master program for the Fenner School of Environment and Society, she is the Innovation Training and Education Lead at Agrifood Innovation Institute.
How to apply
Understand the how to apply steps
Visit the international postgraduate applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.
International postgraduate applicationsUnderstand the how to apply steps
Visit the domestic postgraduate applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.
Domestic postgraduate applications