Master of Science in Vine, Wine and Terroir Management (Vintage)

The full-fledged English curriculum of the wine sector combines scientific, cultural and economic knowledge with various field activities and applied case studies. The curriculum was designed to help students develop:

• Technical skills in: vineyard establishment and terroir management, grape and wine quality improvement, winemaking techniques and sensory analysis, dealing with changing environmental issues.
• Strategic skills in: defining wine identity and diversity, wine markets and brands, wine firms and sectors, national and international wine business strategies.

To help students meet these standards, the curriculum is based on a strong partnership between partner universities, associated partners and various public and private professionals in the wine sector. Indeed, these professional actors play an active part in the master through classroom teaching, field excursions and case studies, enabling students to understand and address current issues in the wine sector, while likewise beginning to define their own professional career projects.

• On completion of this study programme, students will have acquired the following principal learning outcomes:
• The fundamental understanding of grape growing and ripening, from vineyard establishment to harvest.
• The expertise of interactions between grapevines and their natural and human environment at different temporal and spatial scales.
• The knowledge and skills of winemaking process from harvest reception to bottling, including quality controls.
• The ability to conduct tastings, sensory analysis (using trained panels) and consumer studies to define product attributes (both targeted and obtained wine quality).
• An aptitude to characterise the terroir factors impacting wine quality and style (even typicality).
• The capacity to deal with the major issues of sustainable grape and wine production in a constantly changing environment (including climate change, environmental impacts and consumer health).
• A well-developed acquaintance with the fundamentals of business and project management as well as the relevant theory and practice of entrepreneurship.
• An understanding of the wine business world through the eyes of an entrepreneurial marketer in order to continually adapt and innovate in a challenging industry.

An outstanding International Degree

The Master’s in Vine, Wine and Terroir Management (Vintage) is a state approved master diploma accredited by the French Ministry of higher Education and Research since 2003. Today, this degree is jointly awarded with the associated partner, the University of Angers, France.

This degree is awarded to students who attended the master and validated 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). It also qualifies its graduates for doctoral studies and the French professional agricultural capacity.

Language

The language of courses and evaluations is English. During the final semester, the professional thesis project is also written and defended in English.

Nevertheless, local European languages are integrated and supported in the teaching programme, allowing students the opportunity to acquire more linguistic competencies in order to promote:

• An optimal integration in hosting countries
• A better interaction and exchange with local producers and institutional actors of the wine industry.

Learning the local language can also be helpful if a student wishes to pursue a PhD degree in one of the hosting countries.

Mobility scheme

The curriculum consists of two academic years, divided into four semesters of 30 ECTS.

During the first three semesters, students attend courses in three European partner institutions: namely Portugal (Vila Real), Italy (Piacenza) and France (Angers). The students remain therefore together for the duration of the three semesters.

Another individual mobility, during the fourth and final semester, is possible to other countries or partner institutions in Spain, Hungary, Italy, Chile, South Africa and Switzerland.

This mobility scheme aims to provide students with a rich cultural experience and international exposure of the wine sector.

• Optional Internships
• Grape pest and disease management
• Grapevine eco-physiology
• Grape varieties and wine geography
• Management of Organic Viticulture
• Automation and Robotics in Viticulture

• Territorial identity of terroir wines
• Applied Wine Marketing
• West Level 3 Award Wines
• Wine economics and business management
• Applied Research Project

• Professional project
• Optional Internships

The curriculum consists of two academic years, divided into four semesters of 30 ECTS.

During the first three semesters, students attend courses in three European partner institutions:

• Portugal (Vila Real),
• Italy (Piacenza),
• France (Angers).

In addition, the students will also complete study trips to Spain and Hungary during the semesters in Portugal and Italy.

They remain together for the duration of the three semesters.

Another individual mobility, to other countries or associated partner institutions, is possible during the fourth semester. This scheme aims to provide students with a rich experience of international culture within the wine sector.

The final semester is devoted to a professional thesis project (30 ECTS credits). The project provides students with an in-depth and hands-on professional experience in the field of viticulture, oenology, wine business or marketing.

Throughout the project, each student is supervised by two advisors, a tutor from the host company or structure, and a supervisor from the academic committee. After handing in a written thesis of the research work, the professional project is finalised through an oral dissertation.

The first- and second academic year includes various daily and study trips to different wine producing areas in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Hungary and France. These technical visits enable students to understand and address current issues in the wine sector, while likewise beginning to define their own professional career projects. Several wineries or companies also collaborate with the master programme, offering masterclasses and wine tastings.

To attend this master course, students must have:

1/ completed a minimum of 3 years of bachelor studies in science, economics, marketing or other related fields.
It can be, for example, a “Bachelor of Science” (3 years of scientific training).

2/ a good English Language Level.

Since English is the official language of the programme, a good English speaking and writing ability is necessary. The following minimum scores are required:

• TOEIC (reading & listening) score of 785
• TOEIC (write & speak) score of 310
• TOEFL (ITP) score of 550
• TOEFL (iBT) score of 65
• IELTS score of 5.5
• Cambridge First Certificate of English (FCE)
• Common European Framework (Languages): Level B2

These language requirements will not be required to the students whose mother tongue is English or who have completed their undergraduate studies in English, upon presentation of the relevant documentation.

Candidates will also be asked to prove their interest for the wine sector. Applications are examined individually.

The Master in Vine, Wine and Terroir Management (Vintage) provides students different registration options, namely initial or continuous training. Continuous training is only possible during the second year of the master where the student alternates periods of theoretical training with periods of practical training in a French company. The apprentice student is an employee of the company, where the duration of the apprenticeship contract is from 12 to 14 months maximum.

Each application is thoroughly analysed on a case-by-case basis. For all questions about admission requirements and procedures, please contact-us.

If applying students already have a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in viticulture and enology, it is likewise possible to apply directly for the second academic year of the master programme in France. Please contact-us for more information regarding this registration option.

Practical information during your stay in Portugal

• Living in Vila Real 
• Studying at the Universidade de Trás-Os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real 
• See the guide for international students
• All housing options in Vila Real will be communicated to students by the master programme in relation with the international office of UTAD.

Practical information during your stay in Italy

• Living in Piacenza 
• Studying at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza  
• See the guide for international students
• All housing options in Piacenza will be communicated to students by the master programme in relation with the international office of UCSC.

Practical information during your stay in France

• Living in Angers 
• Studying at the Ecole Supérieure des Agricultures in Angers 
• See the guide for international students
• All housing options in Angers will be communicated to students by the master programme in relation with the international office of ESA.

Conditions for obtaining scholarships for mobility aids are set by funding organizations and vary from program to program. They are subject to decision from funding organizations and should therefore not be considered a “must have”.