BSc (Hons) Viticulture & Oenology Bachelor's degree at Plumpton College
BSc (Hons) Viticulture & Oenology at Plumpton College. You'll study core theory alongside research methods, applied practice, and specialist options, culminating in an independent project.
About this course
Learn the science and master the art of grape growing and winemaking in the heart of the South Downs. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Viticulture & Oenology is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Plumpton College, based in Plumpton. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for General Studies, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Viticulture and Vineyard ManagementCore30 credits
- Wine Science and Sensory AnalysisCore30 credits
- Ethical Sales and Marketing of WineCore30 credits
- Practical and Academic SkillsCore30 credits
Year 2 6 modules
- Establishing a Wine BusinessCompulsory30 credits
- Sustainable Viticulture, Oenology and BusinessCompulsory30 credits
- Research Methods & StatisticsCompulsory15 credits
- Cool Climate WineCompulsory15 credits
- Wine Production & AnalysisOptional30 credits
- Marketing & Content CreationOptional30 credits
Year 3 7 modules
- Research Project/DissertationCompulsory30 credits
- Work PlacementCompulsory15 credits
- Advanced Sensory AnalysisCompulsory15 credits
- Wine FinanceOptional30 credits
- Wine EntrepreneurshipOptional30 credits
- Advanced ViticultureOptional30 credits
- Advanced OenologyOptional30 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course focuses on learning the science and mastering the art of grape growing and winemaking in the heart of the South Downs. A course like this typically progresses from foundational concepts and academic skills in year one through to specialist study and independent research in the final year. You'll usually encounter the interdisciplinary core of viticulture and oenology alongside digital and data literacy, then move into applied projects and optional modules that let you explore breadth across related areas. In the later stages, you'll pursue deeper specialist options, develop professional skills through placement or work experience, and complete independent research or a capstone project that draws your learning together. Specialisations such as applied projects, optional breadth, placement, independent research, and professional skills allow you to tailor your study to your interests.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you have a genuine interest in viticulture and wine production, combined with curiosity about the science behind them. You'll thrive on practical, hands-on learning in a real working environment, and you should be comfortable with both laboratory work and field-based study. This programme appeals to those keen to develop specialised knowledge in a growing industry, whether you're considering a career in winemaking, vineyard management, or wine science, or simply want to deepen your understanding of grape and wine production at an advanced level.
Careers & job market
Graduates of General Studies courses nationally see 85% in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 65% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries of £24,000–£30,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £25,075–£35,400 after five years. These figures reflect typical outcomes across the field; your own path will depend on your chosen specialism, experience, and career direction.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) degree is studied part-time at Plumpton College, a higher education college located in Plumpton. The course is taught in English and is a nationally recognised UK degree-awarding body qualification. As a part-time programme, it allows you to balance study with other commitments.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Professional work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at Plumpton College →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What General Studies graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in general studies · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs General Studies nationally
National figures for General Studies graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How General Studies graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where General Studies graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Employers across sectors
- Public sector
- Corporates & charities
- Startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit General Studies graduates.
General PractitionerMatchMedicsGeneral ManagerParkside RecruitmentGeneral ManagerThe Management Recruitment Group (MRG)General ManagerBite TalentGeneral ForemanCONTRACT SCOTLAND LIMITEDGeneral PractitionerFlexzo AiWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Combined and general studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Plumpton
5 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is General Studies right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Plumpton College from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Plumpton College; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Plumpton College’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Plumpton College and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Plumpton College
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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