Course details

Summary

Located in one of the premium winemaking districts in New Zealand (if not the world) EIT offers two unrivalled degrees in viticulture and wine science. You will discover everything about what makes grapes grow and how wine is made.

You will learn about grape varieties, the soils, and environments they are best suited to, and the science involved in turning them into one of New Zealand’s most famous exports.

With EIT’s flexible study approach you can study either the BVit or BWSc degree full-time on-campus or part-time via distance learning. There is never been a better time or place to discover the intriguing world of wine.

Outline

Both the BVit and the BWSc programmes will provide you with the skill-sets required for exciting careers in the viticulture and winemaking industries. These degrees will also lay the foundation for ongoing learning in the fast-paced world of grape and wine production.

The Bachelor of Viticulture

The BVit is an exciting programme providing you with a wide variety of skills such as vineyard husbandry and the technical, scientific, managerial and supervisory skills required to set you on a career path in the dynamic grape growing industry.

Subject areas covered include:

• Plant physiology
• Wine sensory science
• Viticultural science
• Vine physiology
• Vine health
• Vineyard establishment
• Soil management
• Viticulture work experience
• Viticulture excursion

The Bachelor of Wine Science

The BWSc is also a programme offering a stimulating pathway to a career in many aspects of winemaking. Graduating with a Bachelor of Wine Science will provide you with valuable skills to pursue a prosperous career in the winemaking industry in New Zealand or abroad.

Subject areas covered include:

• Viticulture
• Wine science
• Wine analysis
• Wine production
• Wine sensory science
• Wine science excursion
• Winery experience
• Winery engineering
• Wine microbiology
• Wine chemistry

Career Opportunities & Outcomes

Graduating with a degree in Viticulture and/or Wine Science from EIT opens up many career pathways for a future in the grape growing (viticulture) and winemaking (wine science) industries. Careers such as:

Bachelor of Viticulture careers:

• Vineyard manager
• Viticultural contractor
• Research and development
• Owner/operator of a winery/vineyard
• Wine/viticulture educator
• Grower liaison positions

Bachelor of Wine Science careers:

• Winemaker
• Assistant Winemaker
• Manager in wine, brewing or food industries
• Research and development
• Wine/viticulture educator

Entry criteria

Applicants must be over 18 years of age on 1 February of the year they apply for entry into this programme. Applicants under 18 years may be provisionally accepted into the programme but restricted in which courses they are enrolled in until they turn 18 years of age.

Applicants must meet degree standard entry requirements. A good understanding of chemistry, physics, and mathematics is essential. Applicants can also enter via Cross Credit or Recognition of Prior Learning.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
• TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT) score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) score of 60 (with a writing score of 20)
• University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations: FCE, or FCE for schools, or CAE, or CPE with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score of 50
• City & Guilds IESOL: B2 Communicator with a score of 66
• NZCEL Level 4 Academic
• Completion of an EIT Hawke’s Bay assessment.