Frequently Asked Questions about the WSET Diploma Program

Question:
1) What is the Diploma in Wine and Spirits?
Answer:
The Diploma is the highest course level offered by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET®) and is an internationally recognized professional certification. The Diploma Program is a rigorous course of study that covers in great depth the world of wine and spirits from a business, theory, and tasting standpoint. The Diploma is viewed universally as the stepping-stone to the ultimate qualification, the Master of Wine. *

Question:
2) Is this a course of study for me?
Answer:
The goal of Diploma study is to develop expert knowledge of the principal wines and spirits of the world and the commercial factors that influence their manufacture and sale using a thorough system for the professional evaluation of wines and spirits. People who take Diploma work in the wines and spirits industry at all levels and capacities or are consumers who are deeply dedicated to wine and wine education.* We have found that all students who meet the entry requirements outlined below have great success in the Diploma program provided they expend the appropriate effort to complete the work.

Question:
3) What are the entry requirements for the Diploma Program?
Answer:
The WSET® Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits is a prerequisite for entry into the Diploma Program.*

Question:
4) Are there any exceptions to the Advanced Certificate requirement?
Answer:
No

Question:
5) I am currently taking Advanced Certificate, what are my options?
Answer:
International Wine Center must be able to verify that you've passed your Level 3 Award (Advanced Certificate) before you are permitted to enroll in the Diploma program. If your exam results are not made available prior to the Diploma Unit 2 enrollment deadline, you will not be eligible to enroll in the class.

Question:
6) How is the Diploma structured?
Answer:
Diploma study is divided into six required units:

Unit 1- The Global Business of Alcoholic Beverages
Unit 2- Wine Production
Unit 3- Light Wines of the World
Unit 4- Spirits of the World
Unit 5- Sparkling Wines of the World
Unit 6- Fortified Wines of the World

After completion of the six required units of the Diploma, students have the option of submitting a dissertation topic and research paper resulting in the awarding of the Honors Diploma.


Despite the fact that Diploma is divided into Units, we encourage students to approach the program as a whole. You must begin your participation in Diploma by registering for Unit 2 and sitting the Unit 2 multiple-choice examination. You are also registered for a three-year period in which you may sign-up for the remaining Units and attempt the various assessments associated with the Program as many times as necessary. WSET suggests you enroll in Unit 1 immediately after Unit 2, as knowledge of the markets can be of benefit before moving on to product knowledge Units.

Question:
7) Do people typically finish within the three-year registration period?
Answer:
Most people who complete Diploma do so within two years, unless they have suspended or postponed their Diploma studies for personal or professional reasons.*

Question:
8) What are the Diploma examinations like?
Answer:
Each Unit in the Diploma program has its own exam(s). You must pass all exams in all 6 Units to achieve Diploma. The formats for each exam are as follows:

Unit 1 - One Course Work Assignment (research report) of 2500 to 3000 words, and one closed-book Case Study Examination.
Unit 2 - 100 question multiple-choice examination
Unit 3 - Theory examination of 5 written questions and a 12-wine Tasting Exam
Unit 4 - Theory examination with written questions and a 3-Spirit Tasting Exam
Unit 5 - Theory examination with written questions and a 3-Sparkling Wine Tasting Exam
Unit 6 - Theory examination of with written questions and a 3-Fortified Wine Tasting Exam

In the case of Units 1 & 3, it is possible to obtain a partial pass of your assessments. In this case those passes will be valid for the remainder of your 3-year registration period, and you will have to re-take only the portions you did not pass.

Question:
9) I have other questions about how the Diploma Program operates.
Answer:
To learn all of the details about how the program operates please visit the website for the WSET® and follow the links for Qualifications: Diploma and download the document labeled Diploma Specification. If you still have questions after you have read this document, feel free to call IWC at 212.239.3055.

Question:
10) How much does Diploma cost?
Answer:
The quoted fees include all associated study materials and examinations. In-class study includes wines to be tasted and lectures. Students are responsible for the cost of traveling to New York to sit the examinations.

Unit
In-Class Price
(+ tax)
ONLINE Price
(+ tax)
1

$608

$648
2*

$1388

$1118
3

$2,838

$1,868
4

$988

$578
5

$638

$508
6

$638

$508

*Includes three-year Diploma Registration.
All prices include WSET® Diploma Assessment Preparation Scheme (DAPS) for stated in-class units (except Unit 1).
Prices are valid for courses and exams offered during the academic year ending July 31, 2013 and are subject to change without notice.

Question:
11) Are there any additional costs associated with Diploma Study?
Answer:
Unlike the Intermediate or Advanced Certificate courses, not all of the materials necessary to pass Diploma are included in your study materials package. The point of the Diploma is to explore and research the body of knowledge outlined by the study materials. At a minimum, you will need access to a well-stocked wine library and the Internet.

The required text is the Oxford Companion to Wine. Highly recommended, but not absolutely required, is David Bird's Understanding Wine Technology (3rd Edition) (highly recommended for Unit 2).

It is also strongly recommended that students form study/ tasting groups, which help spread the cost of wine for tasting and foster an exchange of ideas. We advise Home Study students to do the same because tasting is an essential part of Diploma, and you are not going to have the benefit of tasting with a class.

Question:
12) What are the advantages of In-Class study vs Online study?
Answer:
Both formats provide a structured, supported mode of study. For those who are able to attend classes, the in-class option provides the advantages of networking with local students, insights into course topics gained during lectures, more frequent wine-tasting instruction, and wine-tasting practice at each class. The price of in-class studies also includes the wines that you taste during each class; online students must purchase the wines they taste. However, online study provides flexibility to study when and where you wish, within the time limits of each Unit that you take.

Question:
13) When and where are the Diploma Classes held?
Answer:
For a complete current schedule of Diploma Classes offered by International Wine Center just click on the individual Unit pages. New Students should look at the Unit 1&2 pages for class schedules.

All classes are held at International Wine Center, 350 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1201 (unless otherwise specified) and typically run from 6:00PM until 9:00PM.

Question:
14) Are Diploma Classes offered anywhere else in the United States?
Answer:
The information on this page pertains only to classes held at, and offered by, International Wine Center. Six other Diploma centers exist in the United States. There are Diploma centers located in Northern California and Boston, both administered by Grape Experience, one located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offered through Philly Wine, two in Southern California: Neptune School of Wine and Wine House, and one in Washington, DC offered through Capital Wine School . Please contact the individual centers for information relating to their Diploma offerings.

Question:
15) How do I register for the Diploma Program?
Answer:
If you have read all the information on this page as well as the Specification Guide from the WSET® website, then please call us at the Center (212.239.3055) from 9:30AM till 6:00PM and we will be happy to register you for the Diploma.
* WSET qualifications are part of the UK qualifications framework, and the education courses leading to WSET qualifications are an invaluable source of information for students to enhance their knowledge of wines and spirits. WSET qualifications are not a guarantee of employment or career progression, nor do they form part of any regulated qualifications framework outside UK.