About the programme
The Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology (Honours) is an NZQF Level 8 programme at Lincoln University: an advanced one-year qualification for graduates of a relevant degree, usually the Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology. It carries 120 credits over 1 year of full-time study.
The programme concentrates on how grape growing and winemaking connect, and how that link shapes the quality of the finished wine. Students work with the latest findings from the university's own laboratories alongside international research. Lincoln notes that its research has strongly shaped the wine industries of Canterbury and Marlborough and directly led to the establishment of cool-climate grape growing and winemaking in the South Island.
The plan comprises a 40-credit 600-level dissertation, at least three courses from a specialist list and one elective from the university's master's-level offering. The specialist list covers ecological research methods, advanced microbiology, supply chain theory, integrated plant protection, plant pathology, grapevine physiology, topics in oenology and advanced oenology. Each course is worth 20 credits, giving four courses and 80 credits in total.
Students combine courses to suit their interests, from vine biology and plant protection to fermentation microbiology and supply chains, with a course advisor making sure the programme is coherent. The Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences publishes a list of possible Honours research projects.
It suits high-achieving graduates who want a deeper understanding of grape and wine science and to carry out their own research in the field.
Entry requirements
- An approved bachelor's degree with at least a B+ in 300-level courses.
- Overseas qualifications are assessed under the university's entry criteria.
- Additional English language requirements apply if English is not your first language.
What you study
- WINE 601 Grapevine Physiology
- WINE 602 Topics in Oenology A
- WINE 604 Advanced Oenology
- PLPT 611 Integrated Plant Protection
- PLPT 613 Plant Pathology
- MICR 604 Advanced Microbiology
- ECOL 608 Research Methods in Ecology
- MKTG 608 Supply Chain Theory
- Dissertation (40 credits)
Post-study work visa
About 1 year
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 09/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the Lincoln University website