Document Actions

Wine Economics (MSc)

Bild zur Illustration: Weinwirtschaft
Bild zur Illustration: Weinwirtschaft
Wine Economics (M.Sc.)

This Master degree programme is offered in cooperation with the Geisenheim University. You can start your studies in Giessen as well as in Geisenheim.

Degree
Master of Science (MSc)

Duration of studies
4 semesters - 120 credit points (cp)

Accreditation
since 10 December 2010

Aims of study

The aim of the Master`s degree course in Wine Economics is to qualify graduate students from the Bachelor`s degree course of Vinicultural Economics and Viniculture as well as of Beverage Technology and Nutrition Science for economic executive functions in businesses and institutions within the national and international wine industry. The graduates of the course should also have acquired the ability to conduct applied research projects in various fields of vinicultural economics. In keeping with this purpose, the programme of studies involves general and business orientated economic and research methodical areas of concentration.

Students spend one semester each at Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) and Hochschule Geisenheim University (HS Geisenheim), where they acquire the necessary course-specific basic knowledge in the core modules. Building on this, they can design their studies individually and flexibly according to their goals and wishes through the freely selectable profile modules at both locations. 

Entrance requirements

The entry prerequisite for a Master’s degree course is a Bachelor’s degree with a relevant subject profile.
Relevant Bachelor degree courses of a German university are:

  • International Wine Economy
  • Wine Business Management
  • Viniculture and Oenology

In the context of the application and admission process the Examination Board may recognise other final degrees as equivalent on a case-to-case basis.
Students must have a good basic knowledge in the following areas:

  • Economics
  • Business Administration
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Business Law
  • Controlling
  • Viniculture
  • Wine Technology
  • Microbiology
  • Wine Chemistry
  • Mathematics, Statistics and Data Processing

The core modules are compulsory, while the profile modules can be chosen from the entire range of courses offered by JLU's Faculty 09 and other departments at JLU and HS Geisenheim, Department of Oenology and Viticulture.  It does not matter how many profile modules are taken at JLU and how many at HS Geisenheim. It is also possible, for example, to complete the entire number of profile modules at one of the two locations. 
One semester (the 2nd semester at the start of the winter semester) serves as a mobility window and consists entirely of profile modules. Students can choose whether they would like to study this semester in Geisenheim, Giessen or abroad.
Specialization is possible through the choice of profile modules. The course is successfully completed when all modules have been passed. 

The core modules (compulsory modules) at JLU are

  • Applied Econometrics
  • Sustainable corporate management and reporting
  • Corporate Communication
  • International agricultural and food policy

The core modules (compulsory modules) at HS Geisenheim are

  • Cooperatives in the wine industry
  • Applied wine market research
  • Organization and modern organizational development
  • Special oenology
  • Process strategies in viticulture 

Application and admission
  • The intake capacity of this degree programme is not limited internally by the university.
  • The general application deadlines of JLU Gießen end on July 15 for the winter semester and on January 15 for the summer semester.
  • Please note that the application period for the Master's course can be extended. This information will be published here (in German).
  • Special regulations apply to foreign applicants or those who gained their university-entrance qualifications abroad. More on this...

Commencement of studies

Possible in the winter and in the summer semester.
Students can choose whether they start their studies at JLU or HS Geisenheim. It is strongly recommended that students begin their studies in the winter semester. Please contact the Student Coordinator or the Student Advisory Office for more advice. 
 

Composition of degree programme

The course is divided into two sections. The first takes place at the Justus Liebig Universität Gießen (JLU), the second at the Geisenheim University.

The course consists of 20 modules:

  • 9 core modules (mandatory)
  • 7 specialisation modules (eligible)
  • a written Master`s thesis (corresponds to 4 modules).

Half the class-based modules are mandatory (core modules), the other half can be selected from the classes of faculty 09 of JLU, the Geisenheim University, faculty oenology and vinicultural economics (specialisation modules).

At least four specialisation modules must be completed in Gießen, and at least two specialisation modules in Geisenheim.

Specialisation is possible through the selection of specialisation modules. The course has been successfully completed when a pass has been gained in all modules.

The core modules (mandatory) of the first year of study at JLU are:

  • Applied Econometrics
  • Theory and Practice of Economic Development
  • Advanced Market Theory 
  • Business Management in the Agricultural- and Food Industry

The core modules (mandatory) of the first year of study in Geisenheim are:

  • Strategic Management in Vinicultural Economics
  • Selected Wine Markets of the World
  • Cooperatives in Vinicultural Economics
  • Applied Wine Market Research

Career Options

Professional fields
The combination of scientifically sound and practice-oriented training in the Master's degree program in Wine Business makes graduates internationally sought-after experts. They are ideally qualified for management and leadership roles in the wine and beverage industry.
Graduates work in responsible positions and as managers in various companies in the wine industry, such as wineries, wine trading companies, sparkling wine cellars, companies in the beverage industry, the food retail trade or the supply industry. 
Typical areas of responsibility are:

  • Production
  • Quality control
  • Quality management
  • Wine tasting and evaluation
  • Purchasing, sales and marketing
  • Human resources
  • Customer service


Graduates can also work as independent consultants or in wine marketing and communication areas. Other tasks in winemaking include optimizing production processes, selecting grape varieties and marketing wines.
The degree program also enables graduates to carry out applied research projects in the various areas of the wine and beverage industry. The path to a doctorate is therefore also open to them after graduation.

Further information

Subject advisor

Subject advising in the first study section takes place at Justus Liebig Universität Gießen:

Prof. Dr. Ramona Teuber
Department of Agricultural Policy and Market Research
Zeughaus, Senckenbergstr. 3
35390 Giessen
Tel. +49 (0) 641 - 99 37020
Office Hours: by appointment

Subject advising in the second study section is held by the Geisenheim University:

Prof. Dr. Jon H. Hanf
Department of International Marketing & Management
Von-Lade-Strasse 1
65366 Geisenheim
Tel. +49 (0) 6722 502 393
Office hours: by appointment

Links