Welcome to New Zealand's leading provider of internationally recognised WSET wine courses.

Level 4 Diploma

About the WSET

The Trust is a registered charity and was created to promote, provide and develop high quality education and training in wines, spirits and other alcoholic liquors for those in the wine and spirit trade or intending to join it. The ‘trade’ is defined broadly, and includes that part of the hospitality sector with an involvement with alcoholic beverages, as well as the more traditional wine and spirits wholesale and retail activities.

  • The WSET offers the highest standard of wine education in the world.
  • The courses have been running for over thirty years.
  • Approximately 15,000 people per year take the courses worldwide.

Why do the WSET Diploma?

The Diploma is the highest course level offered by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and is an internationally recognized professional qualification. The Diploma Programme is an intensive course of study that covers in great depth the world of wine and spirits from a business, theoretical and practical standpoint. The Diploma is a prerequisite to the ultimate qualification, the Master of Wine.

The Diploma is a modular course with six separate units:

Unit 1
The Business of Wine
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

How is the Diploma examined?

Unit 1
One Course work assignment (50%) and one closed book examination (50%)
Unit 2
100 question multiple-choice examination
Unit 3
Theory exam of 5 written questions and a 12 Wine Tasting Exam
Unit 4
Theory exam of 1 written question and a 3 Spirit Tasting Exam
Unit 5
Theory exam of 1 written question and a 3 Sparkling Wine Tasting Exam
Unit 6
Theory exam of 1 written question and a 3 Fortified Wine Tasting Exam

Unit 2 must be completed before continuing on to units 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

What support will you receive from us?

We will offer:

  • Mentoring
  • Tasting tutorials
  • Lectures

Students should be aware that a very high degree of personal study is required. The WSET study materials cover the syllabus but are not thorough enough for students to gain the required knowledge. The best all round textbook (and in our opinion compulsory reading) is:

Oxford Companion to Wine
Jancis Robinson
ISBN-10: 019866236X
(the 3rd Edition)

The standard textbook for the Unit 2 viticulture/vinification examination is:

Understanding Wine Technology
David Bird
ISBN 0-9535802-1-0
(make sure you get the latest edition)

Wine samples

To complete the portfolio of tasting notes students will be expected to taste widely in their own time. It is important to recognise that the 'recommended samples' list supplied by the WSET in the syllabus is only a guideline. You need to taste as widely as you can (the 2006 students had a Californian Blush Zinfandel in their Unit 5 exam — a wine not available in the NZ market). You must be prepared for every eventuality.

What is the Global Campus?

Global Campus is the area of the WSET website that brings together all individuals and organisations that come into contact with WSET®. Institute of Wines & Spirits (IWS) is part of this Global Campus and is the professional membership area of WSET®. The IWS is supported entirely on the website. Many of the benefits are only available on-line.

The Institute of Wines & Spirits is a valuable online resource that caters for the educational and professional needs of Diploma students and graduates. It is a source of highly relevant information and an essential communication platform for members, supporting students whilst studying and helping them maintain their knowledge through a process of Continual Professional Development once they have graduated.

What is the Diploma Preparation Scheme?

The scheme is designed to help students prepare for the WSET Diploma examinations. Successfully completing DAPS will not guarantee that you pass the Diploma but students over the years have found DAPS an invaluable help in reaching the required standard.

There are four types of DAPS test:

  • Self-assessed multiple choice questions for Unit 2 (wine production)

For units 3, 4, 5 and 6:

  • Closed book tests to be completed under examination conditions.
  • Open book questions.
  • Lists of samples on which tasting notes are to be written.

Before the start of your course, your APP will provide WSET School with the Diploma timetable and examinations for your course. WSET School will, in turn produce a schedule of DAPS tests and submission dates appropriate for your timetable. You will be sent your test one month before the submission date. Each test will include instructions on how it is to be completed. Those instructions will include the e-mail address to which the completed test is to be returned. You may submit work before the stated date but any submission received after the stated date will not be marked. No more than three weeks after the submission date you will receive back your marked test. Your returned test will also be annotated with marker’s comments.

How will the Diploma programme be administered?

Course dates and payments will be published in due course, please check the website regularly.


These payments cover:

  • Candidate registration with the WSET in London
  • Admission to the Diploma Assessment Preparation Scheme
  • Two year’s student membership of the Institute of Wines and Spirits via the Global Campus
  • Complete WSET Study Materials for Units 1 – 6
  • All examination fees (but not examination re-sit fees)
  • Tasting samples for tutorials
  • Lecturing
  • Venue hire
  • In addition we are always available by email for any queries you may have
     

Schedule for WSET Diploma Level 4 - 2010 intake

Please re-check this soon, when the up to date 2010 intake information will be available.  If you are enquiring about the 2010 intake then please provide your WSET Candidate number and the date you passed your Advanced certificate. Thanks.

Download the Diploma Specification Booklet.

More information can be found at the WSET website.

Enquire about or enrol in this program.

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