Degree Programs

With a forward-looking range of subjects related to practice and interesting research projects, Geisenheim University offers an optimal start in horticulture whether your interest is rural or urban-based. Natural sciences, economics and technical foundations are all part of the curriculum. In addition, a variety of main topics in all cultivation areas is offered, from the efficiency of resources to organic cultivation and urban horticulture as well as breeding, marketing and sales of plants; rosy career prospects indeed!

From the production to the shopping basket: the students develop a comprehensive understanding of food and supply chains. The theoretical and practical foundation of the production of fresh goods are just as much on the timetable as logistics and storage technology, corporate management and sales management. In close vicinity to the hub of the global flow of goods, at Frankfurt Airport, and nestled in an excellent corporate network, they study at the pulse of the entire industry.

Innovative robotics in the vineyard, the most modern production processes as well as traditional techniques in the cellar and the direct transfer of research findings in the practice characterize the degree program. Budding enologists receive the basic tools for the growing and development of high quality wines as well as their sales. Through many internships and projects they will have the opportunity to gain career-relevant experience. The expertise in organic viticulture in Geisenheim as well as in vine cultivation and climate change research provides the students with a real increase in knowledge – and so does the international network.

Climate impact research, plant stress, phytomedicine, molecular biology and horticultural economics: the Master’s degree in Horticultural Science focuses on current issues. As well as specific research projects, the students’ agenda includes the theoretical principles of their subject, scientific work methods and the development of key qualifications. Students are welcome to complete their generally research-orientated master’s thesis – as well as their second semester – abroad.

The Vinifera EuroMaster program is a joint program offered by a consortium of highly reputed European institutions of higher education (Lisbon Technical University, Portugal; Madrid Polytechnic University, Spain; Montpellier SupAgro, France; consortium of the universities of Turin and Udine, Italy; Hochschule Geisenheim University, Germany) who are active in the fields of viticulture, enology and wine business. The program is coordinated by Montpellier SupAgro.

The first year of study is jointly conducted in English by all partners of the consortium in Montpellier. During the second year, the master's students switch into one of the consortium members' master’s programs, according to their career objectives. All courses in the second year, with the exception of courses in Madrid, are taught in English. The Vinifera program mirrors the diversity of European viticulture and enology, and profits from the wealth of knowledge and experience of its partner institutions.

The program received Erasmus Mundus status in summer 2009. This is an EU-financed scholarship program aimed at highly-motivated Bachelor graduates from Europe and worldwide, who are to be trained to international management level for all sectors of the wine industry as well as for careers in scientific research.

VITIS-VINUM is a double Master's degree program, jointly delivered by a consortium of the renowned Universities of Torino (on behalf of the consortium Torino, Milano, Palermo, Sassari and Foggia), Udine (on behalf of the consortium Udine, Padova, Verona and Bolzano) and Geisenheim.

The program focuses on vine cultivation, winemaking and wine marketing, as well as quality management, analysis and certification. Besides learning about new enological procedures, students are taught how to develop effective marketing strategies – which makes them much in demand as consultants by companies in the wine sector.

Graduates of the VITIS-VINUM German-Italian double degree program are ideally equipped for managerial and leadership responsibilities in nationally and internationally active companies.

The master’s degree program Viticulture, Enology and Wine Business provides in-depth scientific knowledge, research competence, process and production engineering know-how, and entrepreneurial competence in the field of wine business. The main areas of focus are the key physiological and biochemical processes in plant production, risk management in viticulture, sensory evaluation and the development of strategic concepts for wine management. This joint degree qualifies students for managerial and leadership roles in viticultural and enological branches of the industry as well as for an academic career.