Stellenbosch University Table and Raisin Grape Short Courses
The Stellenbosch University Table and Raisin Grape Short Courses are presented in collaboration with SATI and Raisins SA.
Since July 2023, the SU Table and Raisin Grape Short Courses (previously known as the Modular Course) have been housed at Stellenbosch University as accredited short courses of the Department of Viticulture and Oenology.
Accredited at NQF level 6, these courses are designed to equip industry professionals with the latest knowledge and best practices.
The courses are aimed at people already working in the table or raisin grape industry (supervisors, foremen and production managers), as well as experienced farm workers who have the potential to progress to these positions in future. Typically, these candidates already have practical experience of table or raisin grape production, but have no formal academic qualification in viticulture.
The aim of this course is primarily to teach the target groups the “why’s” behind production practices. The course makes agricultural training accessible for applicants from all communities, as well as those who cannot attend full time agricultural training programmes, due to financial and/or practical reasons.
SATI allocates funds for subsidising the course fee, subjected to certain criteria. Application required. First-come, first-served basis.
Elsenburg training institute
Table Grape Production is presented at Elsenburg as a complete Viticulture module both within the B Agric programme (3 year degree programme) and the Higher Certificate programme (2 year certificate programme).
For more detail about the programmes offering Viticulture and specifically Table Grape production at Elsenburg visit:
Stellenbosch University
Table Grape Science is presented at both Stellenbosch University and Elsenburg as a complete Viticulture module both within the BSc Agric programme (4 year degree programme) and the B Agric programme (3 year degree programme). On average around 100 students per year are enrolled for Table Grape Science as a subject (40 BSc Agric 4th year students; 30 BSc Agric 3rd year students; 30 B Agric 3rd year students).
The Viticulture (Table Grape Science) lecturing post at Stellenbosch University has been funded by the SA Table Grape Industry since 1986. Eunice Avenant (SATI Training Manager) has been appointed in this position since August 2012.
As part as the required course work for the degree B Sc Agric in Viticulture and Oenology, or Viticulture in combination with another major subject, the student must do a practical internship. The Viticulture (Table Grape) internship, comprises 4 months in total, allocated from July in the 3rd academic year to June in the 4th academic year, in line with vineyard activities, as well as the student’s programme at the university.
The internship includes the following:
Practical work in the vineyard and pack store (production practices, harvesting and post-harvest-handling of export table grapes).
Exposure to human resource management in a table grape production context.
Executing a small research project in the vineyard.
For more detail about the programmes offering Viticulture and specifically Table Grape Science at Stellenbosch University and Elsenburg, visit: Stellenbosch University / Elsenburg