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The WSET wine courses: levels, costs and which to take
What the Wine & Spirit Education Trust is, what each wine level covers and how it is examined, what it costs, how to book, and which level to start with.
Updated October 2026
Rewritten by Alper Billik, Advanced Sommelier
5 min read
The short answer: WSET, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, is a London-based charity, founded in 1969, that sets wine, spirits, sake and beer qualifications. Its wine courses run from Level 1 to the Level 4 Diploma, and approved course providers teach them around the world, in a classroom or online. Levels 1 and 2 have no entry requirements; Level 2 is recommended before Level 3; Level 3 is required for the Diploma.
I passed WSET Level 3 with Merit in February 2013, the year after my Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory. Here is how the wine levels work, and how I would choose.
The four wine levels
| Level | Who it's for | Study time (WSET's minimum) | How it's examined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Award in Wines | Complete beginners | At least six hours with a course provider | 30 multiple-choice questions, closed book |
| Level 2 Award in Wines | Beginners, and anyone building on Level 1 | 28 hours: 16 taught, 11 of your own study, 1 for the exam | 50 multiple-choice questions in one hour |
| Level 3 Award in Wines | Wine professionals and serious enthusiasts; Level 2 recommended | 84 hours, including 30 taught | 50 multiple-choice questions and short written answers, plus a blind tasting of two wines |
| Level 4 Diploma in Wines | Professionals going deep; Level 3 required | 500 hours, normally over 18 months to three years | Six units, from production to a research paper; pass and you can use DipWSET |
- Level 1 Award in Wines
- Who it's forComplete beginners
- Study time (WSET's minimum)At least six hours with a course provider
- How it's examined30 multiple-choice questions, closed book
- Level 2 Award in Wines
- Who it's forBeginners, and anyone building on Level 1
- Study time (WSET's minimum)28 hours: 16 taught, 11 of your own study, 1 for the exam
- How it's examined50 multiple-choice questions in one hour
- Level 3 Award in Wines
- Who it's forWine professionals and serious enthusiasts; Level 2 recommended
- Study time (WSET's minimum)84 hours, including 30 taught
- How it's examined50 multiple-choice questions and short written answers, plus a blind tasting of two wines
- Level 4 Diploma in Wines
- Who it's forProfessionals going deep; Level 3 required
- Study time (WSET's minimum)500 hours, normally over 18 months to three years
- How it's examinedSix units, from production to a research paper; pass and you can use DipWSET
Source: WSET's own qualification pages for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Course lengths vary by provider; these are the minimums WSET sets.
What each level teaches
- Level 1: the main types and styles of wine, the key grapes, storing and serving wine, food pairing basics, and how to describe a wine with WSET's tasting method, the Systematic Approach to Tasting.
- Level 2: eight principal grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah) and wines from over 70 places around the world, plus sparkling and fortified wines, labels, service and pairing.
- Level 3: why wines taste the way they do: the vineyard, the winery and maturation, for still, sparkling and fortified wines. You must explain, not just recall, and taste accurately. My guide to passing Level 3 covers it in detail.
- The Diploma: the whole world of wine in depth, the business included. See the WSET Diploma explained.
WSET also runs spirits and sake qualifications from Level 1 to Level 3, and beer at Levels 1 and 2.
What it costs
Prices are set by each course provider, so they vary by country and city. As a guide, at WSET School London, WSET's own school, as of October 2026:
| Course | In the classroom | Online |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Award in Wines | £250 | £210 |
| Level 2 Award in Wines | £630 | £465 |
| Level 3 Award in Wines | £995 | £755 |
- Level 1 Award in Wines
- In the classroom£250
- Online£210
- Level 2 Award in Wines
- In the classroom£630
- Online£465
- Level 3 Award in Wines
- In the classroom£995
- Online£755
The Diploma is priced per semester. For the full picture, with the Court of Master Sommeliers alongside, read how much sommelier certification costs.
How to sign up
- Find a course provider with the search on WSET's website, by level and location. Courses are taught by approved providers, including WSET's own school in London.
- Choose classroom or online. Online fits around work; a classroom puts you at a table with other students to taste and talk with.
- Check what is included: the exam fee, the study pack and the wines for the tastings.
- Be of legal drinking age in your country to taste the wines.
Which level should you start with?
- Never studied wine, and not sure you will love it: Level 1. It is short and friendly.
- Already enjoy wine and want real knowledge: go straight to Level 2. There is no entry requirement.
- Working in wine, or set on a career: Level 2, then Level 3, which adds written answers and a blind tasting.
- Working on a restaurant floor: consider the Court of Master Sommeliers too, because only the Court examines service. Read WSET vs CMS before you choose.
Is WSET worth it?
If you want a structured, recognised way to learn wine, yes. WSET's wine, spirits and sake qualifications from Level 1 to Level 3 are regulated in the UK by Ofqual, apart from Level 3 Spirits, and they are widely used in the wine trade. The certificate is not the whole value, though. What you keep is the habit of tasting with a method and describing a wine clearly, and that helps you in any wine job.
For daily theory practice at any level, SOMM DIGI AI has 3,000+ exam-prep questions, built for the WSET and Court paths.
Questions people ask
How long does WSET Level 1 take?
WSET sets a minimum of six hours of teaching with a course provider. The exact length depends on the provider.
Can I skip WSET Level 1?
Yes. Level 2 has no entry requirements, so you can start there.
How hard is WSET Level 3?
It is a big step from Level 2: at least 84 hours of study, written answers as well as multiple choice, and a blind tasting of two wines.
Is WSET a professional qualification?
Yes. It is widely used in the wine trade, and its Level 1 to 3 wine qualifications are regulated in the UK by Ofqual. The Level 4 Diploma lets you use the letters DipWSET.
Can I take WSET online?
Yes. Course providers offer the wine levels online as well as in a classroom.
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