Bachelor's programme in Viticulture and Enology

Programme description

The Viticulture and Enology (V&E) programme is a first cycle undergraduate study programme that takes three years to complete. The programme is uniform throughout the first two years and offers good fundamental knowledge of natural sciences and the economy as well as more professional knowledge in Viticulture, Enology and wine marketing. Lectures are supplemented through practical work experiences in laboratories and in school wine cellar; with fieldwork exercises and practical training at wine-growing estates and in collaborating laboratories or institutes. In the third year, the students can upgrade obligatory courses through various elective courses that give them the opportunity to specialize their knowledge according to their goals and plans for the future.

The curriculum of the programme is consistent with the guidelines and recommendations of the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) for the education of Oenologists.

The study program lasts for six semesters, ending with a successful defence of the Bachelor’s thesis. Upon completion of the study, students obtain a degree of "diplomiran inženir vinogradništva in vinarstva" (comparable to a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology).

Graduates will have employment opportunities in wine-growing estates, cooperative wineries, laboratories for wine/food analysis, agricultural advisory services, wine promotion and sale services and in other similar, profession-related careers.

Admission requirements

The admission requirement for viticulture and enology programme is a matura, vocational matura or final examination after the completion of four-year secondary education programme or its equivalent. If the number of students pre-registered for enrolment greatly exceeds the number of places available, the admission is limited. In selecting the candidates, the grade-point average of the matura, vocational matura or secondary school final examination (60 %) and the grade-point average of the 3rd and 4th year in secondary school (40 %) shall be taken into account.

Educational and professional goals

The objective of the study program is to educate professionals with interdisciplinary theoretical and practical knowledge and to raise up comprehensively educated graduates who are professionals that are able to understand and manage complex problems in viticulture, winemaking, wine marketing and related disciplines. Graduates of the V&E programme will have gained competencies relating to the independent and creative management of wine estates as well as to function as professionals in various occupations associated with grape growing and/or winemaking and marketing. This comprehensive knowledge will enable them to readily adapt to changes in local and global markets as well as to global changes and thus give them a competitive edge. They will be able to critically assess new technologies and their applicability in the local environment.

Access to further studies

The V&E Programme also provides a solid basis to all students who wish to be engaged in research activities within the profession and related areas and will plan additional training for postgraduate studies. After graduation, the candidates will have the opportunity to continue studies at the Master's studies (second cycle) level and then can continue to Doctoral studies (third cycle), all done in accordance with the recommendations of the higher education institution that launched the graduate study program. University of Nova Gorica is offering also master (MSc) study program Viticulture and enology.

Assessment

Knowledge is assessed by written examinations, oral examinations, colloquiums and seminar papers. A prerequisite for taking an examination is successful completion of the subject requirements (i.e. the relevant exercises and seminar papers). As part of their practical work requirements, students have to prepare a final report. Finally, the student successfully completes the study programme by defending the diploma thesis in front of a three-person committee.