Online WSET Wine and Spirits Courses
The Distillers’ Company has a strong relationship with the WSET (The Wine & Spirit Education Trust) which is the leading global provider of courses and qualifications in wines and spirits. The WSET was established in 1969 as a charitable trust to serve the educational needs of the UK’s wine and spirits industry, with founder funding provided by both the Distillers’ and Vintners’Companies. Its home for the first 36 years was Five Kings House on Upper Thames Street, just next to Vintners’ Hall.
Today, the WSET is based near London Bridge, in Bermondsey Street and its courses are now available in over 70 countries, both to industry professionals and drinks enthusiasts eager to learn more. Last year, over 100,000 people worldwide took a WSET qualification.
The WSET is still very much associated with, and supported by, both the Distillers and the Vintners, and has continued to work closely with City Livery Companies throughout the last 50 years. Its CEO, Ian Harris MBE, is proud to be a senior member of both the Distillers’ Company and the Vintners’ Company.
During these recent unsettling months, and while the WSET’s School has been closed for classroom courses, many people have chosen to study via one of its online courses. Online learning can be a great way to gain new skills, indulge a long-held interest, or simply connect with people with similar passions.
The WSET are extending a 20% discount to alI Livery Company members (and their families and friends) with the code: LIVERY20. This code can be used on all WSET online Level 1 and 2 courses starting before the end September 2020, through the WSET School in London. Click here to download information about the courses included in this offer and how to book. All of these courses are suitable for beginners and can be completed 100% online.
Please see comment by Assistant Ian Sabin who has completed several of these courses:
“I am a fan of WSET courses. Of the two levels they are offering discounts on, only the Level 2 is worth considering. Level 1 is extremely basic and can be completed in one day with an online examination at the end. Currently this is being offered for £180 on the WSET website
Level 2 is a good introduction to the world of wine and is where most students start. Passing Level 2 is the usual requirement for progression to Level 3 (although there is an online test for anyone who thinks they have a good enough knowledge to enter at Level 3). Although a step up from Level 1, Level 2 is still relatively easy, requiring 16 hours of directed learning, 11 hours of personal study and a 1 hour examination (multiple choice and now possible online).
Currently the prices offered are £315 for the enhanced online course (no wines provided), rising to £470 for the other formats which also include 40 wine samples for tasting notes.
I note that Levels 3 and 4 are not part of the 20% discount offer – which when you consider the entry fee to Level 4 is now over £4000 would make a big difference, but I guess the basic problem with offering these entirely online is the need to sit the examination and undertake the tastings in a controlled environment. My final examination for Level 4 was supposed to have happened last week, but is currently scheduled for October – assuming the 400 individuals sitting it are allowed to be in the same room by then!”