BASc Agribusiness

The Bachelor of Applied Science - Agribusiness program provides an unprecedented career boost, positioning our graduates to engage in rewarding employment options in the dynamic, global agricultural industry while earning their academic credentials. This program attracts students from across Canada representing a variety of livestock, agronomy, and small business backgrounds providing fertile ground to expand networks with peers, diversify knowledge and share opinions, experiences and ideas.

Entry into the Bachelor of Applied Science - Agribusiness program requires the completion of a two-year diploma with a GPA of 2.5 in an agricultural or related discipline. In the third year, students learn and apply fundamental business skills to analyze, debate and solve current agricultural industry challenges. Guest speakers, conferences, and workshops support students expanding their network within the agriculture industry.

In the fourth year, the Directed Field Study provides a unique opportunity for students to apply both academic and experiential learning in the workplace with the support of identified industry mentorship. Students learn and enhance career skills, workplace skills, experience personal growth and gain valuable insights into their chosen careers.

What will you learn?

Students will develop and apply skills in critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration to investigate business, entrepreneurial and leadership challenges. Developing these work / life skills will increase students' competence and confidence to manage their ever-changing world. Agribusiness applied degree students will spend the first eight months of the program in classroom settings at the Olds College campus. Students will be encouraged to develop communication, networking, teamwork and time management skills while completing projects with classmates and industry clients on relevant, current topics.

Students will be coached in developing and applying information and technology literacy, creativity and the necessity for life-long learning when exploring business fundamentals such as finance, marketing, strategic business management, human resources, applied research and innovation and leadership.

Lead and work in a team environment
Communicate effectively
Consider ethical implications of actions
Evaluate usefulness of information to achieve various ends
Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to support the agribusiness industry
Identify learning goals and take appropriate courses of action to achieve them
Make strategic management decisions

View Program Outline

Program Details

Credential: Applied Degree

Length of Program: Diploma + minimum 16 months

Method of Delivery: On-campus Delivery (Directed Field Study at location of choice approved by Olds College)

Directed Field Study/Work Term/Practicum: An 8-month Directed Field Study is required upon successful completion of all third year courses. It can be completed at a location of your choice, following approval by Olds College.

Program Intakes: Fall Intake (September program start)

Program Dates: Please visit our Dates & Schedules page to confirm start and end dates of your desired program and confirm campus closures.

Applications Open: October 1 for the Fall Intake

Selection Process for Admission: First Qualified, First Accepted

Tuition, Mandatory Fees, Books, & Supplies: Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for details.

Year 3: Tuition: $5,020 / Fees: $1,300 / Books & Supplies: $1,650
Year 4: Tuition: $4,010 / Fees: $675 / Books & Supplies: $0

* Please note that international students pay 3.5 times the domestic tuition amount. These fees are provided as estimates only for the purposes of budgeting. All students should refer to the Fee Schedule for the most accurate information and all fees are subject to change.*

Admission Requirements:

2.5 GPA in the 60 credits from an Olds College diploma or a 2.5 GPA or 75% in an equivalent program
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement

International Applicants

Olds College welcomes applications from international applicants and those who have completed their high school diploma / post-secondary education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.

International Students in this program will require a Co-Op Permit, a Study Permit and a Social Insurance Number for this program. Learn more on the International Students page.

Directed Field Study Required

An 8-month Directed Field Study is undertaken upon successful completion of all third year courses. Students will develop individualized learning plans for the Directed Field Study and complete the study based upon their learning goals. Upon completion of the Directed Field Study, each student will submit all required final assignments.

Admitted Students

Program Dates

Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.

Class Registration

You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Technology Recommendation

It is required that you come to Olds College with the following technology:

A laptop capable of running Microsoft Office is mandatory for this program, as students will be using Excel and other Microsoft Office programs extensively in lectures and classes.

As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

Go to portal.office.com
Enter your Olds College email address and password
Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies

The following items are required:

Texas Instrument BA II Plus calculator

Information on required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

Textbook Order Form

Other Important Information:

Time Requirements: This program involves a lot of group work and projects, which will require extra time outside of regular class hours to complete.

"By furthering my learning at Olds College, I was able to gain valuable knowledge and practical learning revolving around the agribusiness sector. The small class sizes and willingness of teachers created a great learning atmosphere for students. During my DFS, I contributed ideas and recommendations from my learning to help with the success and growth of my family business."
- Emily Hayter, 2019 Graduate (DFS Employer: A.G. Hayter Contracting, Parkhill, ON)

"Year one of the BASc-Agribusiness program equipped me with the knowledge that is necessary to enter into a professional workplace. Year two allowed me to build the skills necessary for my career which is something that I could not have learned in a classroom setting. Because of this program, I was able to get a head start in my profession and still attain a degree."
- Morgan Ramsay, 2019 Graduate (DFS Employer: Friesen Nutrition, Medicine Hat, AB)

"This program is a great way to fast track your education to obtain an Applied Degree. The Directed Field Study of your choice allows you to grow further than a traditional degree program. It is a tremendous way to develop professionally and advance your knowledge no matter where you choose to go in the agriculture industry. It allowed me to grow in my career while adding to my diploma education and building the workplace relationships which have gotten me to where I am today."
- Mikayla Flinn, 2019 Graduate (DFS Employer: Farm Credit Canada, Red Deer and Calgary, AB)

"The BASc - Agribusiness program at Olds College proved to be a cornerstone in cementing my career path. The eight-month directed field study provided an enormous benefit to myself and my employer as my learnings were derived directly from the requirements of my job."
- Ryan McGonigal, 2018 Graduate (DFS Employer: DMT Industrial Fabrication, Lethbridge, AB)

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