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At a glance

The Department of Wine, Vine and Beverage Sciences was established in 2018 with the establishment of the University of Western Attica (it is the evolution of the Department of Oenology & Beverage Technology, which was founded in 1985 at the T.E.I. of Athens) and is located in Building Complex K11 of Campus 1, in the Area of ​​Egaleo Park. 

 

The subject covered by the Undergraduate Study Program (USP) is included in two internationally established scientific fields of Higher Education, according to the UNESCO international categorization of fields of study in education (ISCED 2013): 072 Manufacturing and Processing and 081 Agriculture, with a purpose to meet the modern requirements of research and teaching in Greece in the knowledge subjects of the sciences and branches of Oenology, Viticulture and Beverage Technology in accordance with the standards of international academic practices. 

 

For the development of the USP, the Department followed the principles established by both Greek legislation and the International Organization of Vine & Wine (OIV) and harmonizes with the USP of corresponding University Departments internationally (FRANCE, ITALY, SPAIN, GERMANY, AUSTRALIA, etc.), while at the same time, the Department has been an active member of the International Association of Universities of the Viticulture Sector (Association Universitaire Internationale du Vin et des Produits de la Vigne –AUIV). 

 

The USP includes theoretical and laboratory courses distributed over eight (8) semesters, including the preparation of a Bachelor’s Thesis and a supervised practical training in workplaces of wine applications and beverages (wineries, vineyards, distilleries, breweries, distilleries, agricultural cooperatives, analysis laboratories, research centers , HEI laboratories, public bodies, etc.), which results in obtaining a 4-year degree with 240 ECTS (Level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework). 

 

The focus of the USP is specialized and covers the knowledge subject of the application of biological and natural sciences in the following areas: production and processing of grapes and other raw materials of agricultural origin that can undergo fermentation or other processing for the production of wines and beverages. Processing and utilization of agricultural products, water and by-products of agricultural industries for the production of raw materials for the production of beverages, also giving them the opportunity to expand their knowledge in subjects directly related to the previous ones, such as the development of new products and the protection of the environment . 

 

Upon completion of their studies, the graduates of the Department acquire the necessary scientific and technological knowledge, abilities and skills, in order to be active in particular in the following fields (in summary): 

  • Production, processing, quality assurance, hygiene, quality certification and appropriateness and quality control of wine products, beverages and waters. 
  • Organization of wine businesses, as well as brewing and distilling businesses. 
  • Establishment and operation of wine and beverage tasting laboratories, beverage analysis laboratories, as well as waste and water control laboratories. 
  • Design and implementation of research and development programs, as well as drafting of economic and technical studies in the fields of oenology, beverage technology and water. 
  • Technical support of issues related to the environmental and legal obligations of wine and beverage businesses at national and international level. 
  • In the context of collective work with other specialists or individual activity, preparation of economic and technical feasibility studies for the establishment, construction or expansion and design of wine, beer and beverage industries, establishment and cultivation of vineyards and other species used in the production of beverages, the utilization of their by-products and the treatment of waste from the wine and beverage industries. 
  • Acting as an expert in commercial or other courts and in control services for the certification of the quality and suitability of wines and beverages. 
  • Employment at all levels of the Government and Education, in accordance with current legislation. They can also be employed in the planning and implementation of research and development programs. 
  • Exercise of any other activity that appears with the evolution of oenology and beverage technology and is demonstrably covered by the subject of their specialty. 

 

In addition, the Department of Wine, Vine and Beverage Sciences provides: 

  • Master’s Degree Program leading to a master’s degree (Level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework). 
  • Doctoral studies leading to a doctoral degree (Level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework). 
  • Postdoctoral Research