The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Viticulture is to provide a programme that meet the demand for an applied, industry-relevant, New Zealand based graduate level qualification. The programme builds on the student's knowledge of science and aptitude for studying, emphasising the specific scientific, technical and managerial aspects of grapegrowing.

The Graduate Diploma in Viticulture is designed for people to pursue careers as viticulturists, vineyardcontractors, owner/operators of vineyards and wineries, technical consultants, in grower liaison positions, and as researchers. Its aim is to provide students with an excellent technical understanding of viticulture through provision of a relevant and coherent body of grapegrowing and viticulture knowledge and practice, and industry-relevant skills. The principal objective of the Graduate Diploma in Viticulture will be for students to develop the following desirable knowledge, skills and values. * An understanding of the grapegrowing process, for all major varieties, including how grape production is influenced by demands of cost, quality and volume of wine production. * Knowledge of how viticultural practices and management influence grape quality. * An awareness of how scientific principles in the disciplines of biology, biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, microbiology, and physics influence technical aspects of grapegrowing and winemaking. * An appreciation of the factors that have shaped the viticulture industry of New Zealand and the world and the current direction for development. * An ability to inter-relate scientific concepts and principles to grape production processes so that issues can be quickly identified and managed. * The practical skills to work in a vineyard and operate specialised equipment. * The development of sensory evaluation skills that permit reliable assessment of wine quality and characteristics in relation to grapegrowing processes. * The development of science professionals who are sensitive to the needs of society, with an understanding and appreciation of the history of their profession, current philosophies of safety in the workplace, and ethical values pertaining to the exercise of their knowledge and skills. * Enthusiastic life-long learners in grapegrowing and winemaking.

Further study in viticulture

Entry requirements for each of the Graduate Diploma programmes are as follows: People wishing to enrol in the programme must * have completed a 3-year degree or equivalent qualification; or * be able to demonstrate significant in-depth work and professional experience in science. Any applicant wishing to enrol in this programme who does not have a degree from a country where English is spoken as a first language is required to have attained an acceptable level of English language fluency. This may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including successful study in English, approved scores on TOEFL or IELTS (6.0 Academic) tests or completion of accepted international equivalents, or completion of an EIT assessment. Students who have enrolled in, but not completed, the Bachelor of Viticulture or the Bachelor of Wine Science will be unable to enrol in either the Graduate Diploma in Viticulture or the Graduate Diploma in Oenology. Exceptions are permissible with the approval of the Head of School of Applied Science.