Why Study / Key Benefits

• The programme combines advanced wine science with business knowledge, covering both grape growing and winemaking.
• Students develop advanced knowledge in viticulture, oenology, microbiology and sensory science.
• The programme also develops knowledge of marketing, accounting, finance and business management, giving it a broader commercial focus than a purely technical wine qualification.
• Students can develop industry knowledge, networks and partnerships relevant to wine and wine-related businesses in New Zealand and internationally.
• Lincoln states that its viticulture and oenology programmes have contributed to the development and international reputation of New Zealand's wine industry.
• The programme is particularly suitable for graduates who already hold a related bachelor's degree and want to progress towards management or supervisory positions in the wine sector.
• The online format can be advantageous for eligible overseas students because the programme can be studied remotely without relocating to New Zealand. However, the online programme is not available to international students who are already in New Zealand. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Lincoln's current programme page states that students complete nine postgraduate courses over 12 months in the typical full-time structure, although the overall qualification regulations allow 12 or 18 months depending on when the student starts.

Typical structure:

Semester 1:

• WINE 601 – Grapevine Physiology – 20 credits
• WINE 602 – Topics in Oenology A – 20 credits
• MICR 604 – Advanced Microbiology – 20 credits

Semester 2:

• WINE 604 – Advanced Oenology – 20 credits
• FOOD 607 – Sensory Science and Techniques – 20 credits
• One of:
  • BICH 634 – Plant Cell Physiology – 20 credits
  • MKTG 608 – Supply Chain Theory – 20 credits
  • MKTG 681 – Managing Marketing – 20 credits

Summer Semester:

• COMM 601 – Principles of Managerial Economics – 10 credits
• COMM 602 – Principles of Accounting and Finance – 10 credits
• COMM 603 – Principles of Business Management – 10 credits
• COMM 604 – Principles of Marketing – 10 credits
• WINE 698 – Research Essay – 20 credits

Alternative Dissertation Option

Students who demonstrate sufficient academic ability may be permitted to replace two COMM papers and WINE 698 with WINE 660, a 40-credit dissertation. This option is subject to academic permission and therefore should not be assumed to be automatically available to every student.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not advertise separate formal specialisations. Instead, it integrates several disciplines:

• Viticulture / grape growing
• Oenology / winemaking
• Grapevine physiology
• Microbiology
• Sensory science
• Plant cell physiology
• Supply-chain management
• Marketing
• Managerial economics
• Accounting and finance
• Business management
• Wine-industry research

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit taught Master's.
• Online delivery.
• Focus on both grape growing and winemaking.
• Advanced study of viticulture, oenology, microbiology and sensory science.
• Integrated business education covering economics, accounting, finance, management and marketing.
• Research component through WINE 698 Research Essay.
• Potential 40-credit dissertation option for academically eligible students.
• Current standard full-time duration of 1.5 years, with a possible 12-month completion pathway depending on start and course sequencing.
• Designed to support progression into management and supervisory positions in vineyards and wine-production businesses.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln specifically identifies opportunities including:

• Management positions in vineyards.
• Supervisory positions in vineyards.
• Management positions in wine-production businesses.
• Supervisory roles in wine-production businesses.
• Wine-industry business and commercial roles.
• Roles requiring combined technical and business knowledge across wine-related enterprises.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme page lists the next start date as 22 February 2027.
• The programme is currently listed as online.
• International students already residing in New Zealand cannot enrol in the online version.
• A relevant science background is specifically required.
• Wine-industry experience is advantageous rather than stated as mandatory.
• Students with sufficient academic ability may be considered for the dissertation alternative, but this requires academic permission.
• Lincoln warns that programme information, staffing, courses and regulations can change and advises prospective international students to confirm policies, fees and procedures with its Enrolment Office.
• Lincoln University was ranked 419th globally in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, according to a June 2026 university announcement. It is New Zealand's specialist university focused on land-based sectors. This is university-level information rather than a ranking specifically for the Master's programme. 

International Student Visa Requirements

There is an important distinction for this particular programme: the Master of Wine and Viticulture is currently an online programme, and Lincoln states that its online version is not available to onshore international students already in New Zealand.

Therefore, an overseas student studying the programme entirely from outside New Zealand would generally not need a New Zealand student visa merely to study online from their home country.

If Lincoln confirms that a student must or may study in New Zealand, the relevant immigration route is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa. Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or evidence of a scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Evidence of genuine study intentions.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Health and character requirements where applicable.

Current Immigration New Zealand financial requirement for tertiary students:

• NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses when studying for one year or more.
• NZD $1,667 per month where the period of study is less than one year.

Current visa information:

• Fee Paying Student Visa cost: from NZD $850.
• Maximum visa duration: up to 4 years, depending on circumstances.
• International students are strongly encouraged by Immigration New Zealand to apply around 3 months before intended travel.
• The visa generally allows full-time study in the approved programme.

Work rights:

• Current student visas may allow up to 25 hours of work per week during study and full-time work during scheduled holidays, subject to the conditions actually placed on the individual visa.
• Immigration New Zealand confirms that visas granted from 3 November 2025 can include the increased 25-hour-per-week term-time work right.
• Work rights should not be assumed simply from programme enrolment; students must check their individual eVisa conditions.

Insurance:

• International students must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for their stay, from the start of the course through the relevant visa period, subject to the applicable requirements.