MSc Wine & Gastronomy

Programme objectives

The programme offers theoretical courses where academic research and advanced marketing principles are juxtaposed with real-life case studies. This premium programme uses high-level academic content coupled with professional workshops in order to better understand, anticipate and respond to marketplace disruptions.

By the end of the programme, students are able to understand the complex dynamics of the food industry as well as the cultural, global and structural issues that influence how and why consumers buy these products.

Skill sets

The programme MSc Wine & Gastronomy, awarding an advanced higher-education degree in international management (DESSMI) provides the skills to:

• Perform a functional analysis and implement an action plan that incorporates digital, sustainable and international components.
• Conduct a scientific study and issue a recommendation
• Develop ethical leadership abilities to strengthen one’s manager posture

The skills blocks of the certification may not be acquired separately. The proposed curriculum covers all skills blocks.

Programme highlights

Experience-based, immersive approach

The programme use innovative pedagogy combining in-depth academic lectures and contributions from industry professionals.

In the classroom, academic research and advanced marketing principles are juxtaposed with real-life case studies sourced in Champagne and abroad. Additionally, students learn by doing in the both classroom and in workshops, allowing them to gain a better understanding of the implications and applications of theoretical concepts to food and beverages categories as well as to hospitality.

Examples of workshops:

• New perspectives on wine tasting, revival of traditional food products
• Managing a collective brand and its promotion
• Winemakers and wine professionals, chefs and producers
• Territorial brand managers and actors in collective initiatives
• Product managers for food and drink and related products (e.g., barrel makers), entrepreneurs

The students are also offered the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Level 2 or Level 3 training in wine, allowing them to certify their wine knowledge with an internationally recognised certification.

Adapted programme for high-level athletes and artists

High-level athletes and artists may benefit from an adapted programme in order to pursue both their studies and their passion.

Discover the 2-year MSc option, the extended course that makes a Master’s degree accessible to students holding a 3-year bachelor’s degree!

Students holding a 3-year bachelor’s degree may pursue this Master of Science in two years by joining our 12-month International Pre-Master programme. To find out more about the programme and its advantages, click on the link below.

2-Year MSc Option

Evaluation procedures

The programme is recognised through a dual validation:

• Ongoing assessment: evaluations conducted throughout the length of the programme in the form of individual or collective reports to be submitted
• A final evaluation: performed at the end of the course, it can be done under different forms – it is, for the most part, individual

At the end of the programme and after a validation of ECTS credits per programme year, the level-7 DESSMI – MSc Wine & Gastronomy is awarded to participants.

If some modules were not validated and thus no credits were earned, the programme participant can redo the evaluation during a period set up for this purpose.

• • Percentage of students sitting final examinations*: 100%
  • Graduation rate*: 100%

Source : ^*2022-2023 Jury

The MSc Wine & Gastronomy has been created to develop a new generation of expert food and drink marketing professionals capable of anticipating change in a complex world and adept at understanding the dynamics surrounding the consumption, marketing and management of food, wine, spirits and beverages.

Targeted professions

A few of the possible jobs students can aim for:

• Director of food and beverage service in the hospitality industry
• Director of a wine brand or house
• Export Manager for a food or wine brand
• Food & Wine Journalist
• Marketing Director for a food or wine brand (e.g., Unilever, LVMH)
• Oenotourism Manager for a winery
• Market Researcher or Analyst in food and wine

Professional experience

This experience can take the form of an internship (4-6 months), a job, or the creation of a start-up company in France or abroad.

Results indicators

Admissions Requirements

1-year course:

• Completion of a 4-year Bachelor’s degree (in business, economics, sciences, etc.) or a 3-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 1 year of professional experience
• Proof of English language proficiency is required during the application process (TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, Duolingo)*

2-year MSc option:

• Completion of a 3-year Bachelor’s degree (Open to all backgrounds)

Proof of English language proficiency is required during the application process (TOEIC, TOEFL ibt, IELTS, Cambridge and Duolingo).*

*Contact us to learn more about the scores required for each test. 

Admissions process

• Complete the online application: apply.neoma-bs.fr
• Provide scanned copies of all original documents in English or French (CV, motivation letter, transcripts, etc.)
• Candidates who meet the admissions requirements will be asked to complete a deferred interview
• Admissions results are sent by email within two weeks of the interview.

Application fee: €100

Admissions calendar

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, from September 2023 with a final deadline for submissions in mid-July 2024. Applicants will be informed of the admission jury’s decision two weeks following the interview.

However, given the limited number of places, candidates are advised to apply as early as possible.

Additional recommendations

Candidates should demonstrate an interest and/passion for food and wine via certifications, membership to associations, courses, etc. Candidates should have basic marketing knowledge and some notions of business. They should be able to communicate with confidence in English, participate in group work, demonstrate initiative, strong interpersonal skills, enjoy meeting people and having new experiences.

Candidates should be able to communicate with confidence in English, participate in group work, demonstrate initiative, strong interpersonal skills, enjoy meeting people and having new experiences.

2-Year MSc Option

Discover the 2-year MSc option, the extended course that makes a Master of Science accessible to students holding a 3-year bachelor’s degree!

Delivered on the Rouen campus, this programme serves as a gateway to a Master of Science for students with a three-year higher education qualification (French Licence or Bachelor’s degree). The programme is also open to students with academic backgrounds in non-business-related fields. This first year of study in the International Pre-Master provides an overview of the core areas of business studies and culminates with the selected Master of Science in the second year. Please indicate your preferred Master of Science programme when preparing your application.

Layout of the programme

This course was designed to…

• Open access to MSc degrees for profiles missing qualifications for direct entry
• Guarantee success at the MSc level by laying strong foundations during the Pre-Master year
• Diversify career orientation by switching to a new field of specialisation
• Overview the main areas of knowledge included in an undergraduate business degree

Evaluation procedures

The programme is recognised through a dual validation:

• Ongoing assessment: evaluations conducted throughout the length of the programme in the form of individual or collective reports to be submitted
• A final evaluation: performed at the end of the course, it can be done under different forms – it is, for the most part, individual

At the end of the programme, the programme participants have to validate 60 ECTS credits.

If some modules were not validated and thus no credits were earned, the programme participant can redo the evaluation during a period set up for this purpose.

Professional experience

The two-year programme includes two mandatory professional experience, one at the end of the International Pre-Master year (min 4 months) and one at the end of the MSc year (min 6 months). Professional experiences can take place in France or abroad, subject to approval by the programme director and based on the relevance to the MSc programme and course content.

5 good reasons to join the programme

Prepare your entrance to a prestigious MSc by consolidating and sharpening your knowledge of business and management, in an intensive, one-year International Pre-Master programme.