A British university has launched a unique undergraduate degree program to train students in winemaking. Edinburgh’s renowned Heriot-Watt University has introduced a four-year BSc (Hons) degree in which students will learn how to make wine, with an annual fee of around £10,000. The university states that the wine industry is rapidly growing in the global economy and becoming a significant part of GDP. According to the university, over 11,000 people are directly employed in Scotland’s Scotch whisky industry, while an additional 42,000 are indirectly involved.
This is the only undergraduate program in the UK that offers students the opportunity to specialize in winemaking. The program also includes optional modules in accounting and finance so that graduates can become experts in all aspects of the industry. The university claims that graduates will find excellent job opportunities in the sector.
However, the launch of this program has sparked a debate on social media, with people expressing concerns about the promotion of alcohol, citing its severe physical, mental, and social consequences. Medical experts warn that alcohol consumption significantly increases the risks of liver disease, heart disease, and cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol consumption is a leading cause of death worldwide, and recent studies show that it causes irreversible damage to brain cells, leading to memory loss and mental health issues.
