The University of Adelaide’s acclaimed Agriculture, Food and Wine programs

For those who wish to delve into agriculture, food and wine studies, you’ll be intrigued to know that the University of Adelaide is a leader in the field. Here, the Waite Campus accommodates a stimulating and unique environment for all ambitious learners, allowing them to specialise and ultimately thrive.

In previous years, questions surrounding global sustainability have come to light. How can we safely develop a nutritious food supply? How do we successfully maintain our farming systems and monitor crop production?  In what way does wine link to our quality of life and a balanced diet? The questions are extensive…

That’s why agriculture, food and wine programs remain relevant, opening a gateway of solutions to help improve agricultural systems worldwide. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations report, “one of the greatest challenges the world faces is how to ensure that a growing global population – projected to rise to around 10 billion by 2050 – has enough food to meet their nutritional needs.” By studying agriculture, food or wine at the University of Adelaide, you’ll get the chance to tackle these figures and produce revolutionary research.

Agriculture at Adelaide

The Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences degree ranks in the global top 40. As the figure stands, around 91 percent of graduates secure full-time employment within a few months of graduation, so spaces on Adelaide’s agriculture, food and wine programs are sought-after and competitive. In fact, there are five jobs available, on average, for every graduate of this degree. With a firm grip on your career aspirations, the program encourages you to effectively plant seeds during your studies so that you can reap the future benefits as soon as you graduate.

As the third-largest agricultural research institute in the world, your studies will be worthwhile at the Waite campus. What’s fascinating about this space is that it houses the Waite Research Institute (WRI), where disciplines such as soil sciences, agronomy, plant biology and agriculture economics are examined. Agricultural students also spend time at the internationally-recognised Roseworthy campus, acknowledged for its excellence in natural resource management and animal production. Here, you’ll work alongside industry partners and gain exclusive access to the latest technologies. Furthermore, you’ll obtain exceptional knowledge about the physical, biological, technological and economic bases of modern agricultural systems.

Every student at the University of Adelaide can make use of the free Careers Service. With your welfare in mind, the service provides workshops and one-to-one sessions to prepare you for the working world. Your Adelaide degree in agriculture will steer you towards an assortment of roles. You could end up working in business consultancy, banking, agronomy, agricultural production or even rural finance positions. There’s no limit on how far you’ll go with your Adelaide accreditation.

Food and Nutrition at Adelaide

As the best Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Science degree in South Australia and third-best in Australia, Adelaide sits at the top of the education hierarchy. Keeping up with the rapidly-changing industry, there’s a huge demand for food and nutrition scientists who are confident in their abilities to meet global expectations. With this course, you’ll learn the fundamental aspects of a sustainable and healthy food supply. Plus, by formulating, producing and packaging foods, you’ll adopt a practical study approach.

As CSIRO states, “Australia exports over $40 billion worth of food and beverages each year and is a trusted supplier of sustainable, authentic, healthy, high quality and consistent products”. That’s why it’s fundamental to opt for a degree that offers a hands-on experience so you can stay ahead of fellow graduates. Fortunately, Adelaide offers a 120-hour food, nutrition or health work placement where you can go behind the scenes and acquire new skills.

To continue your degree at Adelaide, you may decide to apply for the Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business postgraduate programme. As an AQF Level 9 qualification, the maximum duration of this scheme is six years and you’ll be trained in the increasingly complex national, local and global value chain networks. There’s also prime flexibility to tailor this degree to your career objectives, a component that sets Adelaide apart from other academic institutions.

Viticulture and Oenology at Adelaide

Revitalise your study path with a Viticulture and Oenology Bachelor or Masters degree at the University of Adelaide. Seventy percent of all Australian grape and wine research is conducted on the Waite campus, making it the ideal learning environment. By joining this program, you get to make wine in the Hickinbotham Roseworthy Wine Science Laboratory.  This will give your repertoire a real boost as you’ll witness scientific and technological aspects of viticulture and winemaking.

Another cutting-edge element to the degree is the industry placement opportunity. At Level 4, students must complete a placement in either oenology and/or viticulture at various commercial vineyards or wineries. With this to add to your CV, you’ll make a lasting impression with companies looking to hire fresh graduates. Much like the agricultural degree, there’s also the option to study overseas via the Global Learning Office. Through this program, you don’t only get a taste of fine wine but you’ll also get a taste for adventure.

For students with a relevant Bachelors degree, the Master of Viticulture and Oenology enables you to become a qualified wine maker in just two years. Like the alternative degrees, you’ll get to study alongside more than 150 university researchers and co-located partners in wine and grape science. Surrounded by innovative minds, you’ll transform into a confident viticultural explorer. Or, if you’d rather become an integral part of the cutting-edge research at the University of Adelaide, the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production is based at the Waite campus and there are ample opportunities to pursue a PhD and further research studies.

While the University of Adelaide prepares you for your career in agriculture, food and wine, forward-thinking research encourages you to think outside the box. The future of agriculture, food and wine is closely linked with recent fears of climate change and global consumption rates. That’s why now is the ideal time to pursue a degree in this subject. The University of Adelaide will help you turn your career aspirations into a reality.

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