PlovdivWineUni Master
PlovdivWineUni Master ‒ Joint MSc program in “Technology of Wine and Wine-Based Beverages” (2 years│128 credits)
Applications open on 1-st September of each year. Application deadlines: Please see How to apply?
Overview
The program was developed in cooperation with the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) following the successful experience of the l’Institut Agro Montpellier (France) and UC Davis (USA). It complies with the OIV resolutions for training programs of oenologists. The program, called – PlovdivWineUni is organised by a consortium of three Bulgarian universities the University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv, Agricultural University – Plovdiv and Medical University – Plovdiv. Leading academic and non-academic experts from all over the world will be part of the program as invited guest lecturers.
The Master-Oеnologist in Technology of Wine and Wine-Based Beverages is a highly qualified specialist with extensive background in the area of oenology and viticulture, analysis, management and control of wine and high-alcohol beverages, having knowledge based on the latest Bulgarian and world achievements in the area of winemaking. In accordance with the Grape-to-Glass approach, the program will enable the students to actively participate in the vineyard design and agronomic management, and to control all winemaking processes, such as stabilization treatments and packaging. The program also aims to enable the young professionals to formulate recommendations in the field of marketing and commercialization, to be aware of regulation and legislation procedures in the wine sector and to take responsibility for implementing and administering quality management.
Consortium members:
Associate partners:
Study courses
The courses included in the curriculum provide interdisciplinary knowledge and skills connected with the processes, products, quality and management of the sub-branches in the food industry related to the produc-tion of wine and wine-based beverages. The curriculum has been developed in modules which are in conformity both with the OIV requirements and with the Republic of Bulgaria’s national requirements for training and award of a Master’s education and qualification degree:
- VITICULTURЕ (4 courses with a total of 210 academic hours and 21 credits)
– Viticulture (6 credits)
– Ampelography (6 credits)
– Grapevine management (3 credits)
– Agroecology and climate change (6 credits)
- OENOLOGY (10 courses with a total of 570 academic hours and 54 credits)
– Fundamentals of winemaking (6 credits)
– Winemaking (6 credits)
– Treatment and stabilization of wine (6 credits)
– Evolution of wine (3 credits)
– Technology of sparkling and special wines (6 credits)
– Technology of distillates and high-alcohol beverages (6 credits)
– Wine microbiology (6 credits)
– Oenological engineering (6 credits)
– Sensory analysis (6 credits)
– Wine analysis (3 credits)
- ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT, LAW, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION (3 courses with a total of 135 academic hours and 12 credits)
– Wine regulations (6 credits)
– Wine consumer behavior and wine marketing (3 credits)
– Wine tourism (3 credits)
- QUALITY, FOOD SAFETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (4 courses with a total of 180 academic hours and 12 credits);
– Hygiene and beverage safety (3 credits)
– Quality management in the wine supply chain (3 credits)
– Sustainable wine systems (3 credits)
– Wine and health (3 credits)
- WINE QUALITY PRACTICUM, INTERNSHIP AND MASTER THESIS
– Wine quality practical conducted by study trips during the harvest and processing campaigns (7 credits)
– Pre-graduation internship: 2 weeks (8 credits)
– Technological case study (2 credits)
– Master thesis (15 credits)
Academic calendar
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER – 15 WEEKS
Period of online lectures: October to December
Period of practical training (at the UFT campus and visits to vineyards and wine cellars): January for 2 weeks
Period of exam sessions: in January after the practical training
SECOND SEMESTER – 15 WEEKS
Period of online lectures: February to May
Period of practical training (at the UFT campus and visits to vineyards and wine cellars): Juin for 2 weeks
Period of exam sessions: in June-July after the practical training
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER – 15 WEEKS
Period of online lectures: October to December
Period of practical training (at the UFT campus and visits to vineyards and wine cellars): January for 2 weeks
Period of exam sessions: in January after the practical training
SECOND SEMESTER – 15 WEEKS
Period of Master Thesis Preparing: February to May (readiness for the first defence session)
The Master thesis submission deadlines: at the beginning of June, September and January
Defense sessions: at the end of June, September and January
Internship: 2 weeks in a Winery (between first and second year)
Within the online lectures, classes are planned mainly on working days (from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.).
Admissions
Entry requirements
Аs a minimum requirement, one should hold a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) in the fields of:
– Food science and technology;
– Agriculture;
– Biotechnology;
– Chemistry;
– Biology;
– Agri-food business;
– or other closely related fields.
English language proficiency is required at a minimum level B1 (CEFR). If certification is not available, language tests could be organized by the UFT Language Training Centre.
How to apply?
Applications Deadlines for fall 2026 | |
A. Application documents for EU and EEA applicants | Deadline – end of July 2026 |
B. Application documents for non-EU applicants | Deadline – end of March 2026 |
C. Application documents for applicants graduated from UFT | Deadline – end of September 2026 |
STEP 1: PREPARATION
A. Application documents for EU and EEA applicants:
1. Diploma (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree).
2. Diploma Supplement. In case there is no grading scale attached to the diploma, candidates have to present an official document with the grading system description.
3. English language certificate ( minimum level B1) or certificate from the UFT Language Training Centere.
4. Copy of ID or passport.
5. Application form and Application form for diploma verification.
In case the applicant has graduated from a higher education institution outside Bulgaria, documents specified in points 1 and 2 must be:
- Notary-certified copies.
- Certified in accordance with international requirements:
- for countries with a mutual legal assistance agreement with Bulgaria concerning the certification of documents, the corresponding agreement requirements shall apply;
- for member countries under the Hague Convention, documents are certified with Apostille stamps.
B. Application documents for non-EU applicants:
1. Diploma (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree).
2. Diploma Supplement. In case there is no grading scale attached to the diploma, candidates have to present an official document with the grading system description.
3. Copy of passport/ID card.
4. Application form and Application form for diploma verification.
5. Six passport photos (dimensions: 4.5/3.5 cm).
6. Europass CV.
Documents specified in points 1 and 2 must be:
- Notary certified copies.
- Certified in accordance with international requirements:
- for countries that have a mutual legal assistance agreement with Bulgaria concerning certification of documents, the corresponding agreement requirements shall apply;
- for member countries under the Hague Convention, documents are certified with Apostille stamps;
- for all other countries, documents must be certified by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the applicant’s country of residence and by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the respective country.
- Translated into Bulgarian language with legalized translation in Bulgaria. It is necessary to send the translated documents for certification of the translator’s signature to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
STEP 2: SUBMISSION
1. Submit the application documents electronically to: international_students@uft-plovdiv.bg
2. Pay the application fee (when applicable).
Tuition Fees
The tuition fees are 2,500 euro per year (5,000 euros in total). The fees are paid in four instalments: before the start of each semester.
Students can pay a reduced fee based on recognition of subjects studied in previous study periods.
The experts from the international office in the University can give you information regarding any available financial aid options for international students (see contacts below).
The tuition fees include:
– Course study materials;
– Travel costs for practical training visits and tasting sessions held at the UFT.
The tuition fees do not include:
– Living expenses;
– Travel costs to/from Plovdiv;
– Health insurance.
Contacts
Submissions, Applications and Fees Information
international_students@uft-plovdiv.bg
+359 32 603 731
Denitsa Horeva
Expert International Student Office
d_horeva@uft-plovdiv.bg
Aksel Boshnakov
Expert International Student Office
a_boshnakov@uft-plovdiv.bg
Curriculum and Academic Plan Information
Assoc. Prof. Nadezhda Blagoeva
Program coordinator
n_blagoeva@uft-plovdiv.bg
