A rewarding career comes from a good education – one that will build key skills, encourage progress and use experiential opportunities to spark growth. In Australia, an example of this can be found at Charles Sturt University, specifically its new Master of Agricultural Science programme.

Situated about halfway between Melbourne and Sydney, Wagga Wagga – referred to as "Wagga" by locals – sits the biggest campus Charles Sturt University has to offer. This is where the new master’s programme takes place. 

Those interested in thriving within the agriculture field can avail themselves of sophisticated underground root growth laboratories in the southern hemisphere, state-of-the-art laboratories, modern glass house facilities, and working models of a range of irrigation systems. What's more, each programme taught within and beyond its will is delivered by an expert. 

great features
of Charles Sturt's new Master of Agricultural Science

Hands-on experience

Relevant and diverse specialisations

Experienced faculty

Affordable

Diverse career opportunities

Surroundings that inspire

Hands-on experience

Learning takes place in one of the many world-class facilities at Charles Sturt – the perfect setting that prepares students for leadership roles in policy, research, and strategic management. Among these facilities, you'll find Australia's first fully-automated commercial farm, the Global Digital Farm.

By getting hands-on from the very start, students will be industry-ready not upon the completion of the course, but from the very first year of study. They put their theory into practice at Wagga's agriculture hub and participate in exam prep workshops, guest speaker presentations, lab work, and research tutorials. 

Relevant and diverse specialisations

All three of its specialisations have modules that focus on new and emerging agricultural technologies. 

Experienced faculty

Experts lead Charles Sturt programmes. They are not just published scholars, but exemplary professionals in the fields of agriculture and environmental sustainability. Think of educators that are developing ecological strategies to combat pests, delving into geospatial research, and championing new technologies and natural environments. That’s the kind of professors you’ll learn from at Charles Sturt.

"The academic staff have regular meetings with industry leaders via External Advisory Committees to ensure that our courses and subjects are meeting industry needs and that we are producing graduates with the right skills for the future," Hunt shares.

As Australia's largest provider of agricultural, horticultural, and wine science education, Charles Sturt's strong industry connections ensure that students develop skills and knowledge that can impact their profession – a true testament to the university's mission in changing the world. 

Affordable

Tuition for the 2023 academic term is 33,200 Australian dollars, but international students commencing their studies at the Wagga Wagga campus in 2023 will qualify for a 20% fee discount. Plus, studying at one of Charles Sturt's regional campuses means that the cost of living is usually more affordable than in most metropolitan locations.

For all the rich cultural offerings here, a classic and cosy room at Wagga Wagga starts from as low as A$184 per week. This often includes a single bed and a bar fridge. Students will have access to a shared kitchenette, security on call, wifi, laundry and parking as well. 

Diverse career opportunities

This master’s programmes will take you far. Hunt shares that graduates can easily find themselves moving into advisory, policy, or advocacy roles. There’s work in catchment management, agricultural education and training, executive management, rural counselling, agricultural consultancy, agricultural finance, and natural resource management. After all, 85% of Charles Sturt graduates secure full-time employment within four months of graduation.

Those who complete the Master of Agricultural Science programme may be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa — another step towards a rewarding career that pays well (find conditions and eligibility here). Look at the Good Universities Guide 2022-23, and you'll find that the university's postgraduates earn a median starting salary of US$78,900.

Surroundings that inspire

Charles Sturt's campuses are strategically and conveniently located in some of Australia's fastest-growing and largest inland cities — Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange, Port Macquarie, and Wagga Wagga.

Choosing a regional lifestyle in one of these picturesque locations means enjoying all the tranquillity one would need to level out the rigours of a comprehensive education effortlessly. Students always have the entertainment, action, and dynamism of city life. Each location is vibrant in its own unique way, not to mention filled with opportunity.

The Wagga Wagga campus offers a wide range of course options. Spanning more than 640 hectares, the campus is home to a farm, an equine centre, a vineyard, a winery, and a huge range of state-of-the-art facilities for student use. What sets this campus further apart from the rest is its proud sporting history, a thriving cultural calendar, and growing restaurant and cafe scene.