FdSc Wine Production Foundation degree at Plumpton College
FdSc Wine Production at Plumpton College. You'll study core theory and research methods alongside hands-on practice with vines and fermentation, develop specialist knowledge through focused options, complete an independent project, and build the professional skills needed in this…
About this course
Start you career in vines and wines, in the heart of the South Downs. From the provider’s course page.
FdSc Wine Production is a Foundation degree (FdSc) 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 5 modules
- Viticulture & Vineyard Management
- Wine Science & Sensory Analysis
- Ethical Sales & Marketing of Wine
- Practical & Academic Skills for Wine Degrees
- French for Wine StudentsOptional
Module details
Assessment: non-assessed
Year 2 7 modules
- Wine Production & Analysis
Module details
production-focused
- Sustainable Vineyard & Winery Design
Module details
production-focused
- Marketing & Content Creation
Module details
business-focused
- Strategic Management & Consultancy
Module details
business-focused
- Sparkling & Cool-Climate StylesOptional15 credits
- Industry Work PlacementOptional15 credits
- Research Methods and StatisticsOptional15 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 Foundation degree will establish your knowledge of vineyard management and wine production in the South Downs. You'll usually start with core concepts in viticulture and winemaking, along with the academic skills you'll need throughout the course. Early study introduces the subject's main strands, from growing vines to cellar work and quality control, alongside practical data literacy. As you progress, you'll undertake applied projects based on real industry briefs, select optional modules to broaden your understanding, and gain hands-on experience through placement. Towards the end, specialist options let you deepen your knowledge in areas such as fermentation science, vineyard operations, or wine business, culminating in independent research that draws together what you've learned.
Who it's for
You're drawn to plants, soil, and the science of flavour. You have curiosity about how wine is made, from cultivation to bottle, and you want to learn by doing. Part-time study suits your situation, balancing learning with work, practical experience, or other commitments. You're motivated to understand both the biology and business of a thriving UK wine sector, and you're ready to take on roles that blend practical skill with technical knowledge. This course will feel like a mix of classroom learning, time in vineyard and cellar, and the chance to shape your own specialist focus.
Careers & job market
Across General Studies foundation degrees nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 65% of those working are in highly skilled roles or continued study. Graduate earnings data show that starting salaries typically fall between £24,000 and £30,000; after five years, the range is £25,075 to £35,400 (national figures for General Studies). Many go on to roles in vineyard management, winemaking, cellar operations, hospitality, or quality control, or progress to honours degrees in related fields.
University & format
The FdSc Wine Production is taught at Plumpton College, a higher education college in Plumpton, located in the South Downs. The course is studied part-time and taught in English. It is a Foundation degree (FdSc award), recognised by a UK degree-awarding body, so your qualification is nationally recognised.
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
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
This course lists IELTS Level 6.5 overall with Level 6.0 in writing. 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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