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Bachelor's degree in Viticulture and Oenology
Master of Science in Life Sciences specialization Viticulture and Enology
In brief
Master degree
Full time
Semester duration
4 semesters
ECTS credits
120
Course language
English
Title delivered
Master of Science HES-SO in Life Sciences, major Viticulture and Enology, as well as Vinifera EuroMaster Diploma
One Master, two training centers
The Viticulture and Enology Major (VE) of the Master of Science in Life Sciences (MLS) is offered as a joined diploma between the the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland HES-SO and The Vinifera EuroMaster. Students following this 120 ECTS programme will spend the first year in HES-SO. Their second year will be spent in one of Universities from the Vinifera EuroMaster Consortium.
The Major VE provides students with the tools to analyze and resolve complex problems in Viticulture and Enology, from grape to wine, from management to market, on a strategic and operational level.
Successful candidates are awarded the Graduate Degree “Master of Science HES-SO in Life Sciences, specialization Viticulture and Enology” based on 120 credits ECTS as well as The Vinifera EuroMaster diploma.
Watch the presentation of the major:
The schedule is available here and the modules with their descriptions can all be found here.
Group
Number of modules
Number of credits
Project
2 compulsory modules
10
Specialization modules
5 compulsory modules
20
Cluster specific
Minimum 3 modules in the cluster of the major
-
Core competences
Minimum 4 modules
30
Additional offer
Optional
-
Group
Number of modules
Number of credits
Objectives
The Viticulture and Enology specialization aims to provide students with the following skills:
Understand, analyze and judge geological, pedological, and climatic components of the terroir of a vineyard
Evaluate the genetic variability within vineyard blocks, the plant’s state of health, and the match of the rootstock- grape variety combination as a function of agronomic and enological aptitude
Understand the chemistry and analysis of key wine molecules and macromolecules and their importance for winemaking techniques, wine stability, color and aroma
Direct and coordinate the design of a winery
Evaluate environmental risks linked to the grapevine production and a company’s vineyard structure
Acquire competences for the restructuring of a company related to viticulture or enology
Develop valorization techniques through sensory analysis and learn innovative sensory evaluation techniques
Admission to the Master
Admission to the Master program is based on the candidates’ educational level and/or professional experience. The candidate’s application is reviewed by the admission commission of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland. A Bachelor degree is the minimum educational level to apply to the Master’s degree.
A Bachelor in Viticulture or Enology or an equivalent education with practical experience in vineyard and winery are admission prerequisites. Candidates with a Bachelor in a other discipline may be required to acquire additional work experience or to follow complementary courses in viticulture and enology prior to joining the program.
Tuition fees
Students accepted into the Master’s program will benefit from an educational subsidy reducing the tuition/administrative fees to
CHF 750.- per semester.
Starting in the Fall semester of 2025:
For Swiss students (as defined by AHES, this refers to students of Swiss nationality or those fiscally domiciled in Switzerland), a semester costs CHF 950.- which includes:
CHF 700.- : tuition fee
CHF 250.- : contribution to study costs for certain services.
For foreign students (those considered foreign under the AHES agreement are individuals of foreign nationality who do not have their fiscal domicile in Switzerland at the time of enrollment), a semester costs CHF 1300.-, which includes:
CHF 1050.- : tuition fee
CHF 250.- : contribution to study costs for certain services.
Students should budget about CHF 250.- per semester for study materials.
Housing and support
Limited housing is available on the Changins campus
Feedback from former students
Apply for the Master's programme in Life Sciences
Person to contact if you have any questions
Isabel Baehler
Executive assistant and admissions officer