Master Viticulture & Enology - Weincampus Neustadt

This program focuses on topics that hold great relevance for the future of the wine industry, including sustainability, digitalization, climate change, consumer behavior, and internationalization.

During the enology modules, you will study molecular biology and biochemistry, as well as innovations and the latest techniques, sensory science, special types of wine, product development, and wine chemistry and microbiology.

During your viticultural modules, you will study subjects ranging from precision viticulture to agricultural meteorology, sensor technology, the influence of climate and climate change, grapevine diseases, and the interaction between microorganisms and grapevines.

During the business management modules, you will study strategic entrepreneurship, wine marketing, European law, quality management, and ecotoxicology. Finally, you will improve your language skills with an intensive French course during the first semester and learn about the history and culture of wine in the Upper Rhine region.

Students also complete three practical project phases of at least 5 weeks long (the first project phase takes place at the beginning of the first semester; the second at the end of the second semester, and the third at the beginning of the third semester – see “Dual Studies” below). Two of the three practical project phases take place in a French-speaking region.

In the Master’s thesis, students demonstrate what they have learned by formulating and answering a research question. The thesis can be written in German, French, or English at the Weincampus, at the Université de Haute-Alsace, or at a cooperating partner company.

The curriculum, which has been created together with our French partner institution the Université de Haute-Alsace, contains 16 modules for a total of 120 ECTS credits earned in courses ranging from lectures and seminars to laboratory practicals, excursions, research-based learning, and self-study:

1st Semester: Practical project 1 ; History & Culture of the Vine & Wine / Language skills ; Scientific Methods ; Molecular Biology / Biochemistry oft he Vine & Grapes

2nd Semester: Innovation in Enology ; Innovation in the Chemistry & Microbiology of Wine ; Special Methods in Wince Sensory / Consumer Research ; Sustainable Business Management ; Smart & Sustainable Viticulture / Environmental Ecology ; Practical Project 2

3rd Semester: Practical Project 3 ; The Science of Terroir: Soil, Vine, and Humans ; Plant Pathology; Sustainable Business Management; Smart & Sustainable Viticulture / Environmental Ecology 

4th Semester: Master’s Thesis

More information on these modules and individual subjects, as well as learning aims and qualification objectives, can be found in the module handbook.

The Master’s of Viticulture and Enology not only offers you the opportunity to develop professionally and learn valuable knowledge, but it also allows you to gain outstanding practical experience and to establish an international network of professional contacts.

During the three practical project phases at wine companies, students investigate a research question, which facilitates the transfer of knowledge from academics to real world application. This also allows for current issues facing companies, such as digitalization, climate change, species conservation, and biodiversity, to feed back into academic research.

In the second and third practical phases, projects are completed at a French-speaking site, where students learn new working methods and make use of their language skills.

The practical phases are at least 5 weeks long and are completed during the intensive reading periods. The Weincampus has a network of cooperating partner companies in Germany, France and Switzerland, and will be happy to help you find companies where you can do your practical projects.

Students are generally paid for their work during the practical project phases.

As an integrated program of study, the dual studies, German-French Master’s in Viticulture and Enology provides you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of wine in two European cultures – all while earning two master's degrees without extending the standard period of study. This program is further distinguished by its commitment to fostering intercultural and linguistic fluency.

The first semester takes place in parallel at both the Weincampus Neustadt and at the Université de Haute-Alsace – students therefore study in their home country. This allows students to refresh their knowledge of the foreign language by attending an intensive language course. German and French students get to know each other during the first semester with joint excursions, an intercultural seminar in Neustadt, and tandem courses.

German and French students come together for courses starting in the second semester – first at Neustadt (second semester) and then at the Faculté de Marketing et d'Agrosciences (FMA) (Faculty of Marketing and Agrosciences) at the Université de Haute-Alsace in Colmar (third semester). The fourth semester is reserved for the Master’s thesis. Students can choose where they want to do their master's thesis (in Neustadt, Colmar, or at a partner company).

The dual French-German Master’s of Viticulture and Enology is part of the Deutsch-französische Hochschule (DFH, Franco-German University). The DFH encompasses a network of 208 universities, universities of applied sciences, and Grandes Écoles in more than 130 cities in Germany, France, and other countries, supporting a total of 186 programs of study. Some 6,400 students receive mobility grants from the DFH for their stays abroad, as well as other support (see “Financing and Additional Support” below). At the end of their studies, students receive a DFH certificate in addition to their double degree, which highlights the additional benefits of an integrated degree program. Sponsorship from the DFH is an important mark of quality for a binational study program, and is of great relevance in the wine industry.

More information is available from the Franco-German University website.

The Master’s of Viticulture and Enology program is tuition free. During your stay in France, you will receive a mobility grant of 350€ per month from the Franco-German University (DFH). You can also apply for other scholarships (Erasmus+, travel scholarships, German scholarships, etc.). Internships at companies during the practical project phases are generally paid.

The DFH also provides students with a wide range of free offerings, including online language courses, intercultural job application training, and networking meetings with representatives of the business community. In addition to all of this, students receive a DFH certificate at the end of their studies. Students also have the option of applying for an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). With this ID card, you can benefit from a number of student discounts for everything from culture and fashion to music and travel.

Have a look at the DFH’s graduate survey for more detailed information on the career paths being pursued by graduates of their programs.

• Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.)

Students can be admitted to the program if they have a Bachelor's degree (B. Sc.) with at least 180 ECTS credits, or an equivalent university degree from Germany or abroad. Graduates in the fields of viticulture & enology, natural science, agricultural science, engineering and other related fields are eligible to apply.

• French-language skills

All applicants need proof of French language skills at the B1 level according to the European Framework of Reference for Language Courses (CEFR), or an equivalent recognized certification. Proof of language skills can also be demonstrated in an oral test at the Weincampus. You can test your language level for free here.

• Internship agreement for 1^st practical phase

For the first 5-week practical project phase, which should be completed by October 31^st of the first year, applicants sign an internship agreement with a wine company in Germany, France, or Switzerland.

• Letter of intent for the 2nd and the 3rd practical phases

Applicants also submit a letter of intent for the 2nd and the 3rd practical project phases during the program.

The program starts in the Winter Semester, and the application deadline each year is July 15th (UPDATE: For the Winter Semester 2023/24, the application deadline has been extended to August 31st, 2023). You are welcome to learn more about the program and apply at any time before this deadline.

Applications are to be submitted via the online at theportal of the University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen am Rhein.

For all questions pertaining to the application process or the program itself, please get in touch with Program Manager Cécile Esch: Phone +49 (0)6321 671 575, E-Mail cecile.esch@8< SPAM-protection, please remove >8hwg-lu.de.

We are happy to advise you.

Are you a career changer with a passion for wine, and want to apply to the German-French Master’s degree program in Viticulture & Enology? We look forward to receiving your application!

Because we are convinced that diversity can only strengthen this program, we have developed an educational concept for career changers (i.e. Bachelor’s degree graduates from a related field of study, such as wine business, food technology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, agronomy, etc.) that prepares them for this Master's program.

Before the Master’s program begins, you have the opportunity to attend courses in the Bachelor’s degree program Viticulture & Enology at the Weincampus Neustadt. Based on your educational and professional background, we will put together an individualized schedule of lectures. You will also take part in a mentoring program from the individual disciplines. We will be happy to advise you personally on this.

In addition, we will offer you an internship for the practical project in the first semester at the Johannitergut State Winery, which is located directly on the premises of the Weincampus. At the Johannitergut State Winery, we can provide support as you gain your first practical experience in viticulture and enology.