Bachelor of Horticulture
Undergraduate
CSU-HOR-DEG 2025Course information for 2025 intake
Explore the importance of plants and grow your career
Study science fundamentals and zoom in on plants. You’ll study soils, crops, and plant protection. Learn how horticulture helps grow regional economies. Plan your career in the industry for roles in orchard management, plant production, and more.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 36 months
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Horticulture
About this degree
Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
- Combine biological, environmental, social, ethical and management knowledge in the sustainable development, management, and improvement of horticultural systems.
- Apply the cognitive, technical, technological and business skills required to plan, operate, and manage a horticultural enterprise or project.
- Design and conduct scientific investigations to inform improvements in horticultural practice.
- Locate, organise, and evaluate relevant information and excise critical thinking and sound judgement in the synthesis of innovative solutions to horticultural problems which benefit the environment while maintaining productivity and economic viability.
- Demonstrate professionalism and leadership through the personal, social, cultural, ethical, and environmental responsibility required to be a change agent in the horticultural industry.
- Critically appraise knowledge, skills, values, and goals to establish habits of reflective practice to inform plans for self-directed and lifelong learning.
- Communicate effectively with various audiences and in team situations, using oral, written, and visual presentation skills, and contemporary networking/social media technologies.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the interplay between horticulture and society and the increasingly important role of horticultural endeavour in sustaining the health and well-being of the human population.
- Critically discuss how global issues including climate change, energy use, water availability, and/or food safety impact the sustainability of horticultural systems locally, nationally, and globally.
The Bachelor of Horticulture will produce graduates with knowledge and skills in the science, management, business and production components of the horticulture supply chain. In particular, graduates will have the interdisciplinary knowledge necessary to address a range of contemporary problems facing the horticulture industries. Graduates will also have the cognitive and technical skills required to apply an appropriate combination of these principles to solve real problems and will have the written and oral communication skills to communicate with a range of audiences, using a range of strategies.
Recommended study pattern
SESSION 1 (30) INTAKE
PART TIME STUDY PATTERN
Year 1 - Session 1 (30)
AHT101 Professional Skills in Agriculture and Horticulture
PSC102 Botany
Year 1 - Session 2 (60)
HRT101 Introduction to Horticulture
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
Year 2 - Session 1 (30)
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
IKC101 First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country
Year 2 - Session 2 (60)
HRT202 Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
PSC104 Soil Science
(Diploma of Horticultural Studies exit point)
Year 3 - Session 1 (30)
AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling
HRT206 Vegetable Crop Management
Year 3 - Session 2 (60)
AGR202 Food Environment and Culture
PSC221 Fundamentals of Plant Protection
Year 4 - Session 1 (30)
PSC215 Plant Physiology
AHT231 Agricultural Finance and Business Management OR HRT201 Landscape Design
Year 4 - Session 2 (60)
IRR200 Principles of Irrigation
HRT205 Ecological Design Systems OR HRT207 Flower Crop Management
(Associate Degree in Horticulture exit point)
Year 5 - Session 1 (30)
AGR220 Extension
ABG310 Agricultural Marketing OR AGR237 Property Planning & Development
Year 5 - Session 2 (60)
HRT301 Plant Propagation
HRT312 Nursery Production OR HRT314 Tropical and Subtropical Horticultural Crop Management
Year 6 - Session 1 (30)
HRT313 Plant Establishment and Management OR HRT308 Temperate Fruit and Nut Crop Management
Unrestricted Elective
Year 6 - Session 2 (30)
AGS422 Contemporary Issues in Agriculture
Unrestricted Elective
Exit points
This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.
- Diploma of Horticultural Studies
- Associate Degree in Horticulture.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$7,920
Indicative total fee $23,760
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.
Learn more about CSU.
Explore CSU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 31
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 37
How to apply
Charles Sturt University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Charles Sturt University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
- A completed Tertiary Preparation Course from an Australian University or an accredited provider demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through the Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies, OR
- Successful completion of two University level subjects (AQF level Associate Degree or higher) demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success through Grade Point Average (GPA) gained in these studies.
- A completed High School Certificate with a minimum ATAR required (including adjustment factors) or equivalent, OR
- A completed Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an equivalent ranking to the currently listed ATAR.
- A completed AQF Certificate III or higher level qualification; OR
- 50% completion of an AQF Diploma level qualification.
Work experience, within the same industry as the course profile, of no less than two years.
Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.
If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. We also have several admission pathways to help you take the step into your preferred course, even if you don't quite meet the entry requirements at first. Find out what admission pathways are available to you.
Study method requirements
Please note some subjects may have Workplace learning components.
Online students may need to attend an online or on campus intensive school for certain subjects. Intensive schools offer face-to-face or virtual lectures, tutorials and practicals to give you a deeper understanding of your subject content.
Career opportunities
When you graduate, you'll be ready to make your mark in a wide range of careers, including:
- Horticulture consultant
- Orchard manager
- Policy development officer
- Lobbyist
- Research and development
- Landscape designer
- Vegetable and flower production.