Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
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About the course
Gain real-life skills, take part in wine events and build industry connections.
Essential to building your capabilities as a wine grower, this programme is designed to teach you the specialist technical, scientific, research and business skills necessary for working in the wine industry.
Students are mentored and taught by winemaking professionals and viticulture researchers, gaining skills and experience in a real-world setting. Research projects, field trips, guest speakers and vitally, semester breaks during harvest allowing students to work a paid vintage are essential to learners' growth and connection with industry.
Second and third-year students may take up a cellar hand, viticulture assistant or similar roles during vintage, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting and gain valuable work experience.
Years one and two consist mainly of core papers, focussing on plant and soil sciences, viticulture practises, vineyard management, wine production, wine chemistry and analysis. You will enjoy learning to taste wine with the professionals and may even get the opportunity to be a part of local wine awards and competitions.
No matter which wine region you work in, you can learn flexibly through self-directed online study and on-the-job training. During regular block courses, you can also connect with fellow learners and gain hands-on experience with our on-campus vineyard, winery, and laboratory facilities.
Students have the flexibility with the programme delivery to base themselves locally or nationally. Whether you are studying in New Zealand's most productive wine region, Marlborough, or other great grape varietal regions, you can be sure of a supportive, interactive and encouraging environment.
Study in the heart of wine country
The Marlborough region is the country’s largest winegrowing area and is at the forefront of New Zealand’s wine industry growth, producing over 75% of the country's wine and having more than 568 independent growers.
While studying you will be enabled to build close links with the local wineries and vineyards with field trips to experience all stages of wine production. Winemakers, viticulturists and industry specialists also come in as guest speakers.
You will gain an in-depth, professional degree covering both growing grapes (viticulture) and winemaking. It includes a six-week practical vintage, vineyard experience and a final year research project.
Collaboration is key
NMIT student Xiuying (Ava) Liang presented her degree research project findings at the Bragato Research Institute (BRI) winery open day.
The NMIT winery and laboratories are situated within the Marlborough Wine Research Centre, established with support from local and national wine and viticulture industries. The centre is a collaboration between NMIT, universities, Bragato Research Institute, Plant and Food Research, the Marlborough District Council and the owner, the Marlborough Research Centre Trust.
Research skills, communication, and an introduction to primary industry business topics will broaden your knowledge and enhance your understanding. In the final year, students work closely with a mentor and/or industry partners on a research project in their chosen field of interest. You will also study international wine and choose from various elective topics.
With a supportive network of scientists conducting innovative research in viticulture and winemaking on campus, NMIT students are fortunate to rub shoulders with them, gain knowledge from their lectures and experience working on research projects from time to time. Read Ava's story
Built for school-leavers and adult learners alike
The Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking is suitable for you whether you are a high school graduate, you are wishing to change careers, or you are currently working in the wine industry and want to gain a qualification while in your existing employment.
After you successfully graduate you could gain employment as a viticulturist, a research and development technician, vineyard manager or owner, wine marketer or winemaker or assistant winemaker. You could also go on to further study.
Study Primary Industry Business Management
If you are planning a career in viticulture or winegrowing you'll find the New Zealand Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management the perfect way to increase your management skills. Delivered online with block courses throughout the year (aligned with your study) this programme will offer you the opportunity to:
- Be able to achieve business and career goals faster
- Gain the confidence to present accounts and plans to banks, accountants, and other rural professionals in the best way possible
- Make decisions based on sound judgement
- Work with your own business' statistics.
- Gain ideas and inspiration from colleagues
- Have a highly respected, industry-recognised qualification
Viticulture and winemaking scholarships
The 2021 Wine Marlborough scholarship went to two outstanding NMIT students, Finn Horsfield and Sarah Tibbs.
NMIT offers students stellar scholarships from:
Read Finn Horsfield and Sarah Tibbs story. We also offer a variety of scholarships that may not be based on your academic ability, check out which ones may work best for you.
Entry requirements
| If you achieved University Entrance (UE) in 2020, the entry requirements for this programme may differ from those displayed on this page and in printed material due to the disruption caused by COVID-19. To find out about entry requirements for those who achieve UE in 2020 see the NZQA website. |
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Academic requirements
University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at Level 3 or higher and 20 credits at Level 2 or higher) including:
14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects
Literacy * :10 credits at Level 2 or above made up of:
5 credits in reading
5 credits in writing
Numeracy* : 10 credits at Level 1* or above in (specified achievement standards or unit standards (26623, 26626 and 26627).
*NZQA approved subjects: see http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance
OR
Any qualification (New Zealand or overseas) recognised by NZQA as being equivalent to the achievement of NCEA Level 3. If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), NMIT will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.
OR
Any Level 4 qualification in a related field.
English language requirements
If English is not the applicant’s first language they will need to provide evidence of :
An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall academic score of at least 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each band), issued within the last two years
OR
A result from a test or qualification on the NZQA acceptable alternatives [English Proficiency Outcomes Table.](https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/rules-fees-policies/nzqa-rules/approval-recognition-and-accreditation/#:~:text=2022%20are%20revoked.-,Appendix%201%3A%20Internationally%20Recognised%20English%20Proficiency%20Outcomes%20for%20International%20Students,-Rule%2022.2(d "Goes to NZQA")
OR
Achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements
Additional Distance Study Requirements
For distance study, applicants must have the following to be able to utilise the online learning environment and complete practical/vocational aspects of the Programme:
- Employment in a suitable wine industry workplace,
ORRecent relevant experience and access to a suitable wine industry workplace, to undertake an assignment and practical work required for specific courses - Ability to attend compulsory residential workshops
Special Entry
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under the age of 20 years who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the Programme where they supply evidence to satisfy the Academic Committee of their ability to succeed on the Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking.
Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic Entry Requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience , may be approved for alternate entry. This may include Recognition of Prior Learning.
Contact NMIT for advice.
About the provider
At NMIT, our goal is to ensure you graduate work-ready and confident in your knowledge and skills to step into a successful career. Our wrap-around support services guide you through the process of learning, teaching you skills for life and ensuring your well-being is supported so you can focus on achieving your goals.
NMIT strives to make meaningful and positive change to the businesses and members in our community. For nearly 120 years, we have stood strong as a cornerstone for high-quality tertiary education and community engagement Te Tauihu (the Top of the South).
This means when you join NMIT, you become connected to a network of industry partners and employment opportunities that can open doors for you. Our passionate tutors across multiple study areas are highly regarded and influential in their chosen fields.
Whatever path you wish to pursue, we'll do what we can to help you reach your goal. Our internationally recognised qualifications are yours for the taking, and the journey to get them can be a rewarding and uplifting experience.