What is the Diploma in Wine and Spirits?
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, theoretical and gustatory standpoint. The Diploma is viewed universally as the stepping-stone to the ultimate qualification, the Master of Wine.
How is the new diploma structured?
The Diploma is divided into seven 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- Liqueur Wines of the World
Unit 7- Individual Research Project
Unit 7 is an optional Unit leading to the Honors Diploma. It may only be attempted after successfully completing Units one through six.
Despite the fact that Diploma is divided into Units, we encourage students to approach the program as a whole. You begin your participation in Diploma by registering for Units 1 & 2, which are offered as one class, and sitting for the Unit 2 multiple-choice examination. You are also registered for a three-year period, which begins when you sit for the Unit 2 exam. You may sign-up for the remaining Units and attempt the various assessments associated with the Program as many times as necessary.
Do people typically finish within the three-year registration period?
Most people who complete Diploma do so within two years, unless they have suspended their Diploma studies for personal or professional reasons.
Why don’t you offer all the Diploma Units in one year?
Diploma study requires you to develop expert knowledge of the principal wines and spirits of the world and the commercial factors that influence their manufacture and sale. We have found that students who have success in the Diploma program expend the appropriate effort to complete the work. This is very difficult for most people to accomplish in one year’s time while holding down a part-time or full-time job.
What are the Diploma examinations like?
You are required to pass certain exams for each Unit of Diploma. They are as follows:
Unit 1 - Four Course Work Assignments (research reports) of 1,500 to 2,000 words
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 of 1 written question and a 3-Spirit Tasting Exam
Unit 5 - Theory examination of 1 written question and a 3-Sparkling Wine Tasting Exam
Unit 6 - Theory examination of 1 written question and a 3-Liqueur Wine Tasting Exam
In the case of Units 1 & 3 it is possible to obtain passes in part, but not all, 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.
I have other questions about how the Diploma Program operates.
To learn all of the details about how the program operates please visit the website for the WSET® at www.wset.co.uk and follow the links for Qualifications: Diploma and download the document labeled Specification. If you still have questions after you have read this document then please give us a call at 707-265-5884.
Are there any additional costs associated with Diploma Study?
Unlike the Intermediate or Advanced Certificate courses all of the materials necessary to pass Diploma are NOT included in your study materials package. The point of the Diploma is to explore and do research on 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. Required texts include the Oxford Companion to Wine and Understanding Wine Technology.
It is also strongly recommended that students form study/ tasting groups, this will 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.
What are the advantages of in-class study over home study?
For those who are able to attend classes, the in-class option provides several advantages over home study. These advantages include: the increased discipline that classes bring to your studies, networking with other students, interacting with experienced second-year students, the opportunity to have questions answered by instructors, winetasting instruction, and winetasting practice at each class.
For more information, please call the WSET Hotline at 707.265.5884 or email wset@copia.org