Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology
Follow your palate
Great wine is central to South Australia’s identity. In fact, Adelaide is one of the great wine capitals of the world with over 200 cellar doors within an hour of the CBD.
70 percent of Australian wine research happens at the University of Adelaide’s Waite campus. Our winemakers are innovators and cultural leaders within a sector helping drive the nation’s economy.
What will you do?
Our Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology teaches best-practice techniques for growing wine grapes and making wine. You will:
- get your hands dirty in our on-campus vineyard and learn to make wine at Australia's largest teaching winery
- build practical skills through an industry placement in viticulture and/or oenology
- study at the largest agricultural teaching and research precinct in the Southern Hemisphere
- learn from more than 150 researchers and partners in wine and grape science
- access cutting-edge research at the Australian Research Council Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production.
There are also opportunities to study and gain experience overseas.
Where could it take you?
You’ll graduate as a fully trained winemaker or viticulturist. You could manage your own winery or vineyard. You might work with the latest technologies to develop innovations and efficiencies in related industries. Perhaps you’ll focus on sustainable and natural practices, building an organic, biodynamic or solar-powered future for the wine industry.
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 324611 |
|---|---|
| 2023 CSP ATAR | 67.1 |
| 2023 CSP IB | 24.25 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR | 75 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - IB | 27.5 |
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
| Assumed Knowledge | SACE Stage 2: Chemistry and Mathematical Methods IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) and Chemistry. |
Selection Criteria
| Recent Secondary Education | Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Study | You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | 60.45 |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | 80.25 | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | 98 | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 67.1 |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | 83.6 | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 98 | |
| Minimum eligibility score | 65 | |
| Additional criteria considered | Selection rank only | |
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Admissions Transparency Data
Student Profile
Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023 Number of students Percentage of all students (A) Higher Education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)14 35.9% (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/A (C) Work and life experience
(admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)<5 N/A (D) Recent secondary education: - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
14 35.9% - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
N/A N/A - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
N/A N/A International students 8 20.5% All students 39 100.0% - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
Ready to Apply?
Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.
Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.
ApplyFees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $7,005
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
Careers
Career Readiness
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.
As a qualified viticulturist and oenologist, you’ll be able to direct and develop winemaking and viticultural practices in areas such as:
- viticultural management
- winemaking and winery management
-
food and beverage technology
-
hospitality and tourism.
We offer 2 week long tours exploring the wine regions of the US, Canda, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and many more.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Industry Placement
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Winemaking; Brewer; Nursery Manager; Vineyard Operator; Vineyard Supervisor; Beverage Technologist; Viticulture Officer; Wine Exporter; Wine Scientist; Government or Corporate Policy Adviser ...
Degree Structure
- Core courses to the value of 84 units
- Elective courses to the value of 12 units
- Level I courses not exceeding 30 units
- Work based training / extra mural studies
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Example Study Plan
| Level I | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: | BIOLOGY 1101 Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells BIOLOGY 1202 Biology I: Organisms SOIL&WAT 1000WT Soils and Landscapes I STATS 1004 Statistical Practice I (Life Sciences) OENOLOGY 1018NW Foundations of Wine Science I |
| and courses to the value of 6 units from the following: | CHEM 1100 Chemistry IA CHEM 1200 Chemistry IB or CHEM 1611 Foundations of Chemistry IA (Ag and Vit) CHEM 1621 Foundation of Chemistry IB (Ag and Vit) |
| and courses to the value of 3 units from the following: | PHYSICS 1008 Physical Aspects of Nature I PHYSICS 1101 Physics for the Life and Earth Sciences IA |
| Level II | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: | AGRIC 2500WT Agricultural Biochemistry II AGRIC 2510WT Agricultural Genetics II OENOLOGY 2501WT Microbiology for Viticulture and Oenology II OENOLOGY 2503WT Introductory Winemaking II OENOLOGY 2502WT Sensory Studies II PLANT SC 2510WT Foundations in Plant Science II VITICULT 2500WT Viticultural Science II SOIL&WAT 2500WT Soil and Water Resources II |
| Level III | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: | OENOLOGY 3007WT Stabilisation and Clarification III OENOLOGY 3047WT Winemaking at Vintage III OENOLOGY 3037WT Distillation, Fortified and Sparkling Winemaking III OENOLOGY 3046WT Fermentation Technology III OENOLOGY 3530WT Engineering for Viticulture and Oenology III PLANT SC 3510WT Plant Health III VITICULT 3021WT Viticultural Science III VITICULT 3044WT Viticultural Methods and Procedures III |
| Level IV | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: | OENOLOGY 3500WT Industry Experience (Viticulture and Oenology) III OENOLOGY 3016WT Cellar and Winery Waste Management III OENOLOGY 3520WT Advances in Wine Science III OENOLOGY 3003WT Wine Packaging and Quality Management III |
Work based training/Extra Mural Studies
To satisfy the requirements for Work Based Training / Extra Mural Studies students must complete industry experience to the value of 10 weeks full-time (approximately 375 hours) in either viticulture and / or oenology as part of OENOLOGY 3500WT Industry Experience (Viticulture and Oenology) III.
Assessment
- Varies with individual courses and includes a combination of oral presentations, written assignments, practical work and/or examination work
Related Degrees
Testimonial
The degree is highly recognised around the world's wine regions, just tell them you where you have studied and you will be welcomed with open arms.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023
