Program calendar icon Program Length

  • 1 Year

Program credential icon Credential

  • Certificate

Program location icon Location Offered

  • Nanaimo

Is it time to harvest your future career in the wine business? The BC wine industry is bustling with an increasing need for wine business professionals who understand the marketing, sales, exporting, and tourism aspects of wine.

The one-year Wine Business program at VIU provides hands-on experience covering the basics of viticulture and business practices, including visits to local vineyards and wineries to get a real taste for the wine life.

The Wine Business Certificate can be taken as stand-alone certification or as credit towards either the Hospitality and Tourism Management or Bachelor of Business program.


The Wine Business Certificate Program

1 year full-time or 2 year part-time

The purpose of the program is to provide recognition for students who complete a series of courses related to the wine industry, the process of wine making, wine appreciation (product knowledge), wine marketing, wine tourism and other knowledge related to the business of wine. The certificate will help graduates find employment in some aspect of the wine business, which could be a vineyard, a winery, a wholesaler, a retailer, a food service establishment or a special event planner. Although this is a stand-alone certificate, the courses may also be taken as credit courses toward a degree or diploma.

The certificate may also be taken concurrently with a diploma or degree.

This seven course program may be completed full–time in one year or spread out over two years.

Wine CertificateCredits
Select one of the following courses:
HOSP 215 - (Principles of Services Marketing)
MARK 160 - (Introduction to Marketing)
RMGT 101 - (Intro to Marketing in Recreation and Sport)
TOUR 101 - (Introduction to Tourism Marketing)
3
MARK 352 - (Wine Marketing)3
HOSP 133 - (Beverage Theory) or,
MGMT 252 - (The Wine Industry)
3
MGMT 352 - (Wine Appreciation)3
TRMT 398 - (Management of Wine Tourism)3
Select two courses from the following three categories. Please note: each course must be from a different category. 
Consumer Behaviour
HOSP 311 - (Consumer Behaviour: The Guest Experience)
MARK 260 - (Buyer Behaviour)
TRMT 311 - (Consumer Behaviour in Recreation and Tourism)
Entrepreneurship 
HOSP 421 - (Hospitality Entrepreneurship)
MGMT 381 - (Entre/Intrapreneurship)
TRMT 421 - (Entrepreneurship in Recreation and Tourism)
Festivals 
TRMT 441 - (Management of Festivals and Special Events)
6
Total Credits21

Further Studies

Students who wish to continue on to the Business Administration, Hospitality Mangement, or Tourism Management diplomas or degrees should consult with the program's Degree Advisor.

Notes on Admission

  • Principles of Mathematics 11 or Applications of Mathematics 11 with a "C" is recommended. Students without Mathematics 11 should consult the program coordinator.
  • Preference will be given to candidates already enrolled in the Faculty of Management degree or diploma program.
  • Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program if space is not available.

Developing a wine program at VIU is part of our vision to provide students credentials for entry into those careers influenced by the wine industry including (not limited to):

  • Winery/Vineyard Management
  • Retail Sales
  • Wine Marketing Representative
  • Restauranteur
  • Hotelier
  • Culinary
  • Agri-tourism development
  • Special Events

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees - 21 credits Amount
Tuition (21 credits x $163.14 per credit) 3,425.94
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) 137.04
Student Services fee (21 credits x $7.21 per credit) 151.41
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month) 212.72
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) 265.00
Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies 700.00
Lab fees 135.14
Notes

* Students taking more than two semesters to complete the certificate should add Students’ Union fees for each additional semester.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees - 21 credits Amount
Tuition (2 semesters x $10870.72 per semester) 21,741.44
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester) 926.80
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month) 212.72
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) 265.00
Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies 700.00
Lab fees 135.14
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

* Students taking more than two semesters to complete the certificate should add Students’ Union fees for each additional semester.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Next Intake(s):

The Wine Business Certificate program has one start date each Fall.

Application Fee:
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Colleen Doyle
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2280
Email: Colleen.Doyle@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Peter Briscoe
Phone: 250.740.6226
Email: Peter.Briscoe@viu.ca
Comments:

If you are currently in the Bachelor of Hospitality Management program, please contact Colleen.Doyle@viu.ca before applying.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Chair Contact:
Name: Peter Briscoe
Phone: 250.740.6226
Email: Peter.Briscoe@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: Study@viu.ca
Comments:

If you are currently in the Bachelor of Hospitality Management program, please contact Study@viu.ca before applying.

Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.

The program has only one intake each Fall (September).

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.