MRes (Science) Viticulture & Oenology

Course overview

Advance your expertise in grape and wine science through postgraduate
research.
 

Plumpton College, in partnership with the University of Greenwich, is
launching a new Master’s by Research (MRes) in Viticulture and Oenology. This
research-focused master’s degree is designed for graduates and experienced
professionals in viticulture, oenology, and related sciences who want to deepen
their knowledge and skills through independent research.

This course allows you to follow a structured route into scientific research.
The course is suited to students interested in a postgraduate research
qualification and who want to strengthen their insights into the mechanics of
research in viticulture and oenology.

The course is centered around a substantial independent research project,
allowing you to investigate a specialist area of grape or wine science under
supervision. Projects are often co-developed with vineyard, winery or industry
partners, addressing real-world challenges including climate adaptation and
sustainability. As part of the taught element, you’ll develop advanced skills in
research methods, statistics, ethics and scientific communication.

This course is subject to validation by the University of Greenwich and sits
within the internationally recognized Faculty of Engineering and
Science.

Modules

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules:

• Advanced Research and Professional Development (30 credits)
• Research Proposal (30 credits)
• Independent Research Project (120 credits)

The Research Project is the major research component of the course and represents a substantial individual effort.

How will I be assessed?

The programme is a research-intensive postgraduate degree designed for graduates and experienced professionals with prior disciplinary knowledge who wish to develop advanced research capability in grape and wine science. Building on the University of Greenwich and Plumpton College’s partnership, and the established national profile of wine research and education at Plumpton, the programme provides a dedicated postgraduate research route. The programme follows a structured route into scientific research. It combines a taught element designed to prepare students with advanced skills to produce a major industry-style research project.

What is it like to be a student on this course?

Students would be part of a research-intensive environment where advanced scientific enquiry is grounded in the practical realities of vineyard and winery practice. Rather than studying research in the abstract, they would be developing the skills to investigate live industry questions, supported by Plumpton’s established national profile in wine education and research and its partnership with the University of Greenwich.

Industry links

Students benefit from Plumpton’s exceptionally strong links with the wine industry through its specialist Wine Division, commercial vineyard and winery facilities, and close connections with leading producers and sector bodies. A particularly important relationship is with WineGB, the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry. Plumpton has a long-standing connection with WineGB, and Sam Linter, appointed as Plumpton’s Wine Director in September 2023, served as Chair of WineGB for four years, underlining the College’s close engagement with the sector.

Students also benefit from links across the wider wine sector, including commercial vineyards and wineries, industry researchers, alumni working throughout the trade, and organisations connected to training, sustainability and sector development. These include producers and employers across the English and Welsh wine industry, as well as professional connections shaped through Plumpton’s work with WineGB, industry conferences, applied research, and employer-informed teaching.

Progression routes