The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses. If you cannot find your country on this list, please contact international@gre.ac.uk.
Wine Production (QA only), FdSc (Plumpton College)
Study a course that will help you develop an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the production of international wines and their global markets.
Passionate about the wine industry? With the finest facilities and courses available in the UK, you’ll be able to gain all of the knowledge you’ll need to be successful in this highly competitive global industry.
Over your three years of study you will develop a deep understanding of core business management skills, wine trade knowledge and an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the most important wines of the world.
This degree course will help prepare you for a successful career in wine business and management where situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility, and decision-making in complicated and unpredictable circumstances, are required.
UCAS points
56 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
P600
Interested in a different year?
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We received Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. This recognises our outstanding performance in student experience and outcomes.
Location
Duration
- 2 years full-time
- 4 years part-time
Start month
September
Home/international fees 2025/26
TBC /TBC
What you should know about this course
What you will study
Validated / Quality Assured (QA) Programmes: these are programmes approved (‘validated’) and quality assured by the University of Greenwich for delivery by one of our Partner Colleges. They lead to a University of Greenwich award.
About the course team
You will be taught by an expert team whose experience and knowledge closely reflects the course modules. The team consists of leading academics, and experienced industry professionals, along with diverse industrial networks to external international experts who deliver guest lectures on individual modules, and career guidance.
Entry requirements
Typical Offer: 56 Points
Qualifications: two A-Levels/Extended Diploma/combination of A-Level and Diploma/A-Levels and Extended Certificate/International Baccalaureate/Access to HE.
We consider a wide range of Level 3 qualifications with UCAS Tariff points, specifically:
A-Level: two subjects (CD).
BTEC National: Extended Diploma (MPP).
International Baccalaureate: 24 Points overall.
Access to HE in Chemistry and/or Biology: 56 Points
We also consider alternative qualifications at Level 3, such as OCR Cambridge Technical, AQA Tech-Level, and a range of international qualifications at Level 3 equivalent.
We also consider applicants with relevant industrial experience if over 21 years of age.
We expect GCSE Mathematics and English at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the A*-G system), as well as WSET Level 2 Award in Wines (Pass).
Students with English as a second language will be required to have gained IELTS at 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
We welcome applications from mature students.
For more information, contact the HE Office (HEoffice@plumpton.ac.uk).
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
First-year courses may be shared across a number of programmes within the wine division, resulting in larger lecture groups of up to 45 students. Subject specific courses are smaller, for example a typical FdSc in Wine Production intake would have 10 students in a dedicated cohort. Similarly, in the second year, some core courses taken by all students will be equally large, while subject specific courses will be smaller, between 5-10 students per group, enabling close interaction with lecturers.
Independent learning
Students are also encouraged to undertake their own personal study. Whilst this enables the student to pursue their own areas of interest, this time also sets the foundation for a future of lifetime learning - an essential in this rapidly evolving industry.
Overall workload
You should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job.Each module you study towards this degree is worth 15 or 30 credits. These represent around 150 or 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 100 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 200 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assignments taken at the college and to release examination results within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, contact the HE office (HEoffice@plumpton.ac.uk)
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | TBC | TBC | N/A |
| International | TBC | TBC | N/A |
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Field trips
The cost of field trips is activity dependant. Some are free, while others may require a contribution. You are not obliged to pay for field trips in order to complete your course.
Resources
Course texts and other study resources are available from Library. You may wish to purchase your own copies. You receive a small allowance for printing costs, which you can top up if required.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
Students go to a range of vineyards and wineries of varying sizes for their placements, including large multi-national wine firms, cooperative wineries, and artisanal vineyards and wineries, and this might be undertaken throughout the second year of study.
- Previous students have worked in: Rathfinny Wine Estate, Winston Estate, Greyfriars Estate, Bolney Wine Estate, Kingscote Wine Estate etc.
- We have a dedicated hub that informs students about relevant opportunities.
How long is my placement?
Students must undertake a placement for between 6 weeks and 3 months, which is related to a credit rated course at Level 5.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Our graduates tend to top-up their foundation degrees within 3 years of graduation, and have been well placed for employment in both in wine production and the wine trade sectors, in addition to teaching, academia, consulting, governmental agencies such as DEFRA and the Food Safety Agency, research including the postgraduate study of wine production, wine tourism, and wine business.
Do you provide employability services?
We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
The College’s Inclusive Learning and Development Department offers dedicated support for HE students, this can take the form of one-to-one support, exam access arrangements. Students who have a learning disability are able to access support with making an application to the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) from the College’s Inclusive Learning and Development Department.
Support from the department
The Library boasts a collection of over 8,000 books, covering a range of key subject areas within land-based curriculum. The Library also provides students with access to a variety of magazines, periodicals and academic journals through online databases.
Learning technology is central to the learning experience of students at Plumpton College and therefore is supported by dedicated staff within the College Teaching and Learning Team. The responsibilities of this team are to help support students with learning technology to enhance the overall learning experience.
Mode of study
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