Viticulture & Oenology
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Postgraduate Study

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​The South African Grape and Wine Research Institute ​​/ Department of Viticulture and Oenology offers the postgraduate programmes in Viticulture, Oenology and Wine Biotechnology to obtain the following degrees:

  • MSc or MScAgric
  • PhD
  • DSc

878   MScAgric

The master's programmes in Food and Wine Production Systems leads to one of the following qualifications: MScAgric (Oenology), MScAgric (Viticulture), MSc (Wine Biotechnology or Food Science). The programme entails two years of master's studies if the student holds an applicable four year BScAgric degree.

33103 878 MScAgric in Oenology

Programme Description

Topics for the master’s degree are determined in consultation with the relevant lecturer for each prospective student. Research projects can be selected from one of the following themes: wine microbiology; wine chemistry; analytical method development, and sensory methodology and analyses. A further objective is the deepening of subject knowledge through self-study. An oral defense is conducted.

33103 : Oenology878(180): Master's thesis


33081 878 MScAgric in Viticulture

Programme Description

Topics for the master’s degree are determined in consultation with the relevant lecturer for every prospective student. Research projects can be selected from one of the following themes: molecular aspects of key processes in grapevines; advanced grapevine physiology; climate change; analysis of spatial patterns; berry ripening and table grapes. A further objective is the deepening of subject knowledge through self-study. An oral defense is con​ducted.

33081 : Viticulture878(180): Master's thesis


978   PhD 

Programme Description

This programme lead to one of the following qualifications: PhD (fields: Oenology, Viticulture or Wine Biotechnology). A dissertation containing original research in one of these fields is required. The programmes focus strongly on research in various specialist fields of Food and Wine Production Systems and they train students to become subject specialists in the fields of food science, oenology, viticulture, grapevine biotechnology and wine biotechnology.

For each field of study a relevant and practically oriented research project is chosen which puts the student in contact with the industry, leading to problem solving in the industry concerned, and also prepares the student to enter the research or professional ​market. They thus become professionals who can play, either as a team member or individually, a meaningful role in national or international research, teaching and policy making in specialist fields concerned with sustainable and environmentally friendly food production and food safety.

Course content
The student is expected to write a dissertation that contains the results of original research. An oral defense is conducted.

33103 : Oenology

978(360): Doctoral dissertation

33081 : Viticulture

978(360): Doctoral dissertation

998   DSc 

Programme Description

The degree DSc is awarded to candidates who have held the PhD or PhD (Agric) degree of this University, or some other equivalent (in the opinion of the Senate) qualification for at least five years, or who have held the MSc or MScAgric degree of this University, or some other adequate (in the opinion of the Senate) qualification for at least seven years, and who have produced advanced original research and​/or creative work in Food Science or the Agricultural Sciences, have submitted original and previously published scientific paper(s) of a high standard which indicate(s) that the candidate has made a real and high-quality contribution to the enrichment of the knowledge in Food Science or the Agricultural Sciences and, if required by the examiners, has taken an oral examination to the satisfaction of the University.

33103 : Oenology

998(360): DSc research collection

33081 : Viticulture

998(360): DSc research collection