With its first distance degree program "Wine Business Management" (MBA), Hochschule Geisenheim University is about to close a major gap in professional training circles in Germany. The degree program, which will be offered from the 2021 summer semester onwards, is the first part-time German-language Master's course aimed at experts and managers employed in the wine business to be offered in Germany - a format that has been in great demand by wine-industry professionals. "By equipping industry professionals to manage companies in a forward-looking manner, the degree program will play a significant role in strengthening the German and German-speaking winegrowing sector", says Professor Otmar Löhnertz, who will be heading up and teaching the new degree program.

The part-time course, comprising twelve modules spreas out over two years, will focus on business management topics such as personnel management and business administration, tax-related issues affecting the wine industry and financial reporting. In addition, it will cover current viticultural and enological issues from a practical angle.

Transfer of knowledge will draw on the advantages of blended learning, a varied mixture of self-study, face-to-face sessions, written and virtual teaching modules. Via a virtual learning platform, participants will have round-the-clock access to teaching materials and additional exercises to consolidate their knowledge. Participants will also attend face-to-face lectures on six to eight days at Hochschule Geisenheim University - Fridays and Saturdays - during each of the four semesters. The aim of the face-to-face training sessions is to intensify and apply the knowledge learned, as well as a personal exchange with Hochschule Geisenheim University's experts. Students will graduate with the state-recognized Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Those looking to expand their professional development on a selective basis can also study individual modules of the MBA course program.

The Wine Business Management MBA will be offered by Hochschule Geisenheim and potentially other national and international partners in cooperation with the zfh - Zentrum für Fernstudien im Hochschulverbund; an application for accreditation by ASIIN e.V. has  been submitted. The degree program comprising a workload of 90 ECTS points will be inaugurated in the 2021 summer semester, with a new intake in each winter and summer semester. Applications for the initial academic year can be submitted via zfh from November 2, 2020.

For further information, please go to www.hs-geisenheim.de/management-in-der-weinwirtschaft-mba

Facts and Figures on the Degree Program

Commences: Summer semester 2021
Qualification: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Duration: Four semesters
Conducted in: German

Entry requirements:

• Completed degree comprising 180 ECTS points or Diplom-Ingenieur (FH)
• Five years of relevant professional experience following initial degree, with a focus on viticulture, enology and/or the wine business
• Interview

Costs:

• Full degree program (12 modules): 12,000 euros
• Individual modules: 1,500 euros each
• Hochschule Geisenheim University's social security contribution per semester

Applications:

Online at: www.zfh.de/anmeldung   
Summer semester: Nov 2 to Jan 15
Winter semester: May 2 to Jul 15