Bachelor of Wine Business

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Wine Business course is designed to develop knowledge and skills in winemaking, wine science, viticulture, wine appraisal and business.

This course is designed to develop knowledge and skills in winemaking, wine science, viticulture, wine appraisal and business. Students can complete their studies while working in the wine industry, studying by distance education.

Students not wishing to study the business element of the degree, may elect to exit after four years of part-time study and graduate with an Associate Degree in Winegrowing.

CSU is recognised as producing knowledgeable practically-oriented graduates that meet the highest expectations of the wine industry.

Residential school

Students are required to attend residential schools, of two to five days duration for most subjects, at the University. These schools provide intensive teaching on the practical aspects of the course. 

Study through CSU Wangaratta

The Diploma of Production Horticulture (Viticulture), Diploma of Viticulture or Diploma of Wine Technology at Goulburn Ovens TAFE (GOTAFE) provide a pathway to CSU's Bachelor of Wine Business. Graduates of these TAFE qualifications will receive credit towards their CSU degree. Students in North East Victoria who are undertaking the Bachelor of Wine Business may be able to complete some subjects by supported distance education. Support for each subject usually includes recorded lectures, a range of documents and resources, online meetings, interactive video teaching, face-to-face tutorials or field exercises at Wangaratta. The rest of the course will be completed by distance education using a range of online study resources and communication tools, and may include some residential schools at CSU's Wagga Wagga Campus. Students should apply for this supported distance education course using the Wangaratta code on the Apply Now tab.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Facilities

Students have access to an array of on campus facilities, including:

• state-of-the-art laboratories
• an extensive and well equipped experimental winery
• a fully operational modern commercial winery with 28ha of vineyard, processing about 200 tonnes of fruit per annum and producing award winning wines
• tasting rooms for state-of-the-art wine sensory assessment
• extensive computer facilities

Course Structure

School Core Subjects
AGB110 Agricultural Economics
AHT231 Agricultural Business and Financial Management
AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture
AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling
AHT101 Professional Experience in Agriculture and Horticulture
AHT274 Industry Practice OR SCI301 International Practical
PSC104 Soil Science

Additional Compulsory Subjects
AGB450 Agriculture Business Risk and Investment
AGR237 Property Planning and Development
AGR375 Agribusiness Planning
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
PSC103 Botany
VIT211 Viticultural Science
WSC101 Wine Science 1
WSC201 Wine Production 1
WSC210 Sensory Science
WSC310 Wine Sensory Assessment
HRM210 Human Resources Management
LAW110 Business Law
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology

Restricted Electives
AGB320 Supply Chain Management
ENG210 Food & Beverage Engineering
ENG302 Winery Engineering
MKT220 Buyer Behaviour
MKT260 International Marketing
VIT402 Vine Physiology and Performance
VIT405 Integrated Vineyard Management
WSC301 Wine Production 2
WSC406 Wine Microbiology

Enrolment pattern

Part time Distance Education Enrolment pattern

Year 1
Session 1
AHT101 Professional Experience in Agriculture and Horticulture
CHM108 Chemical Fundamentals
Session 2
AGS107 Precision Agriculture and Data Handling
PSC104 Soil Science

Year 2
Session 3
AGB110 Agricultural Economics
PSC103 Botany
Session 4
MCR101 Introduction to Microbiology
WSC101 Wine Science 1

Year 3
AHT231 Agricultural Business and Financial Management
VIT211 Viticultural Science (commenced)
WSC201 Wine Production 1 (commenced)
Session 6
VIT211 Viticultural Science (completed)
WSC201 Wine Production 1 (completed)
AGR202 Food, Environment and Culture

Year 4
Session 7
AGR237 Property Planning and Development
WSC210 Sensory Science
Session 8
LAW110 Business Law
[] Restricted Elective

Students can exit with the Associate Degree in Winegrowing, students continuing on will enrol in the following pattern

Year 5
Session 9
AGB310 Agricultural Marketing
AGB450 Agriculture Business Risk and Investment
Session 10
AHT274 Industry Practice or SCI301 International Practical
[] Restricted Elective

Year 6
Session 11
AGR375 Agribusiness Planning (commenced)
WSC310 Wine Sensory Assessment (commenced)
HRM210 Human Resources Management
Session 12
AGR375 Agribusiness Planning (completed)
WSC310 Wine Sensory Assessment (completed)

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2