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Bachelor Viticulture & Enology (incl. Winemaker's Certificate)

Studying Wine –
Course Content

As the old winemaker’s saying goes: “You only learn winemaking by making wine!” Following this proverb, our dual-studies program integrates academic studies with practical, real-world experience. Dual studies at the Weincampus Neustadt means something very specific: you can earn two qualifications in four years. On the one hand, you do a full winemaker apprenticeship at a winery and complete an examination at the Chamber of Agriculture of Rhineland-Palatinate. At the same time, you also earn a recognized academic degree with a Bachelor of Science.

Viticulture
Plant Physiology
Phytomedicine

Enology
Wine Analysis
Microbiology

Business Administration
Marketing

In the Words of Our Students

Dual Studies in Four Steps

General Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission to the Weincampus include a certificate of qualification for entrance to university or university of applied sciences or a recognized equivalent professional qualification.

There is no Numerus Clausus (admissions quota system).

If you do not yet have your high school diploma (or equivalent secondary school qualification), you can submit your transcript of grades (from the past half year of schooling) along with your application to apply for provisional admission for the prosemester. You must still submit your high school diploma after receiving it.
 

Studying Without a High School Diploma or Subject-Restricted University Entrance Qualification

 

In the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate, you are allowed to study at the university level with professional experience under certain conditions (“Studying without a High School Diploma”).

A Meister (Master) or comparable advanced training qualification provide you with a general university entrance qualification. Before enrolling, you should arrange for a consultation session at the Weincampus.

Some people with professional qualifications can obtain a subject-restricted university entrance qualification under the following conditions:

  • Completed vocational apprenticeship with an overall grade of at least 2.5
  • Two years of professional experience
  • Consultation session before enrollment

 

Winemaker Apprenticeship

In the dual-studies concept, vocational education is closely integrated with academic study. Practical phases at your partner apprenticing company alternate with academic phases at the Weincampus. This is why a dual-studies program is not possible without an apprenticeship contract with a winemaking company. You should find a spot for your apprenticeship as soon as possible. If you have not been able to find an apprenticing company, you should have a look at our Dual Studies Match Portal, where you will find more than 350 apprenticing companies located all throughout Germany. You can register as an applicant in the portal, which will make it easier for companies to find you.

If you already have completed a winemaker apprenticeship, you can apply directly for the Bachelor’s degree program in Viticulture & Enology.

 

Approval of Apprenticeship Contract

The original copies of the apprenticeship contract are sent by the apprenticing company to the responsible authorities for approval. Depending on the federal state, this supervisory body may be the Chamber of Agriculture or the Regional Government Office.

Applying to the Weincampus

To apply, the following documents need to be submitted:

  • Completed and signed online application form
  • Copy of apprenticeship contract 
  • Curriculum vitae (signed, please!)
  • Notarized secondary school graduation certificate(s)
  • For students without a high-school diploma: proof of completed vocational training (vocational school and testing certificates as well as verification of at least two years of employment)
  • For previous post-secondary/university studies: certificate of good standing, ex-matriculation or graduation certificate and transcript of grades
  • Certificates from previous apprenticeships or internships (if applicable)
  • Certificates from military or civil service (if applicable)

 

This is how it works:

  • First fill out our online application form and send it to us by email. After you submit your online application, you will receive a PDF of your completed application form by email.
  • Print out this PDF form and sign it.
  • Send us this printed form with the rest of your application documents by mail.

All application documents should have been received at the Weincampus’ Office of Student Servicesby July 15th of the year in which you want to begin your studies.   

Excellent Career Prospects

 

The demand for professional winemakers is so high that it cannot be met. Our graduates usually already have an employment contract in place before they’ve even completed their final exams. Our graduates go on to work as cellar masters, company managers, or field operations managers, or find work in product development, market research, wine purchasing, vine breeding, laboratories, sales, administration, or research. In the free market, wage levels are no longer based on educational attainment but on the performance of employees and are regulated by the success of the industry and the company. Who believes that great craftsmanship and great education are mutually exclusive? Who believes that a trained winemaker can’t or doesn’t want to work in the vineyard? The symbiosis of craftmanship and intellectual work is the key to success.

 

Student of the Weincampus during the measurement with device on a leaf in the vineyard
Two viticulture students carry a box of grapes from the vineyard

Better Together

 

It is the cooperation among three academic institutions together with the DLR Rheinpfalz that provides for an exciting spectrum of opportunities in the study of viticulture and enology. The expertise of these three academic institutions combined with the industry know-how and infrastructure of the DLR Rheinpfalz facilitates the smooth transfer of knowledge between academia and industry. One of the defining strengths of the Weincampus Neustadt is its network of contractually defined cooperative relationships with wine companies, including more than 350 wineries in Germany and more than 100 abroad. These many partner companies not only provide for the dual cooperative studies character of the program, but also the diversity of course content. From growing conditions to grape varieties and wine products, the range of knowledge required to produce wine is a decisive factor for success – perhaps even more so than in other industries.