WSET Level 4 – Diploma

From 9.00 am – 5.00 pm every day

This schedule is subject to change.
Please be aware that the subjects and instructors listed in this study plan may be adjusted.

Day 1, 2 and 3:
19 august 2024 – Welcome, general info, tasting technique and introduction to viticulture and vinification and business of wine exams
20 august 2024 – D1 – Viticulture: Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW
21 august 2024 – D1 – Vinification: Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

Exam: 7 October 2024
D1 – Wine production 09.30 – 11.00
All students starting in 2024 will automatically be registered for this exam unless the student withdraw from the exam within the withdrawal date.

Day 4 and 5:
8 October 2024 – D2 – Business of Wine: Mai Tjemsland MW
9 October 2024 – D2 and D6 – Business of Wine and research paper: Mai Tjemsland MW

Exam: 22 january 2025
D2 – Wine business 11.30 – 12.30
All students starting in 2024 will automatically be registred for this exam unless the student withdraws from the exam within the withdrawal date.

Day 6 and 7:
23 January 2025 – D5 – Fortified wine introduction: Demetri Walters MW
24 January 2025 – D3 – Bordeaux and South of France: Demetri Walters MW

Day 8 and 9:
10 March 2025 – D4 – Sparkling wine: Heidi Mäkinen MW
11 March 2025 – D3 – Burgundy, Beaujolais, Jura and Southwest of France: Heidi Mäkinen MW

Day 10 and 11:
28 April 2025 – D5 – Continued and exam technique D4 and D5: Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW
29 April 2025 – D3 – Rhône, Alsace and Loire: Alexander Hojem

Exam: 11 June 2025
D4- Sparkling wines 13.30 – 15.00
D5 – Fortified wines 15.30 – 17.00
All students starting in 2024 il automatically be registred for these exams unless the student withdraws from the exam within the withdrawal date.

Day 12:
12 June 2025 – D3 – South Africa, South America and China: Natalia Stratan

Day 13, 14 and 15:
18 August 2025 – D3 – Italy: Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW
19 August 2025 – D3 – Italy: Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW
20 August 2025 – D3 – Spain and Italy: Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW

Day 16 and 17:
13 October 2025 – D3 – Germany and Austria: Caro Maurer MW
14 October 2025 – D3 – Portugal, Greece, Tokaj: Caro Maurer MW

Day 18 and 19:
19 January 2026 – D3 – North America: Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW
20 January 2026 – D3 – Australia and New Zealand: Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

Day 20:
9 March 2026 – D3 exam technique: Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

Exam: 12 and 13 May 2026 – D3 exam
12 May 2026: D3 Wines of the world, Theory
13 May 202: D3 Wines of the world, Tasting
All students starting in 2024 will automatically be registered for this exam unless the student withdraws from the exam within the withdrawal date.

• D1 Wine production
  20% weighting – classroom 16 hours – self study 80 hours

• D2 Wine business
  10% weighting – classroom 8 hours – self study 40 hours
• D3 Wines of the World
  50% weighting – classroom 70 hours – self study 170 hours
• D4 Sparkling Wines
  5% weighting – classroom 8 hours – self study 16 hours
• D5 Fortified Wines
  5% weighting – classroom 12 hours – self study 16 hours
• D6 Indipendant Research Assignment
  10% weighting – classroom 2 hours – self study 48 hours

Successful graduates acquire exceptional analytical skills and proficiency in evaluative wine tasting, gaining global recognition as authoritative wine specialists. Should a student wish to progress to the Master of Wine programme, he/she will be well-prepared.

The Diploma is delivered in six mandatory units covering a broad range of topics including wine production, wine business, and still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world.

D1 – Wine production

• Vine requirements
• Anatomy of the vine and grape
• Grape growing options and how these options affect grape yields, quality and the final wine produced
• Natural factors in the vineyard and how they influence the vine’s ability to produce grapes for wines of different styles, quality levels and price
• Winemaking and post-fermentation options and how they influence the style, quality and price of wines

D2 – Wine business

• The types of businesses engaged in wine production and the options for getting wine to the point of sale
• Factors that contribute to the price of wine
• Key considerations in wine marketing

D3 – Wines of the world | D4 – Sparkling wines | D5 – Fortified wines

In each of these Units you will learn:

• How grape-growing, winemaking, maturation, wine law and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the wine
• How to taste and evaluate wines using the WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)

D6 – Independent research assignment

• How to research a specified wine-related subject

Total NOK 77.500,- including course days, all wines tasted during the course, access to online study material, obligatory exam fees, coffee- and lunch breaks. All prices are subject to change without prior notice due to currency fluctuation.

The study fee will be split on two invoices, one due before the course start and one after approximately 8 months. We offer more flexible payment plans both for the individuals and businesses. Enquiries can be directed to our wine coordinator Hanna.

Cancellations of confirmed places are accepted up to 30 working days prior to the start of the course. However, an administration fee of NOK 1500,- plus the full cost of the student registration (approximately NOK 4000) will be invoiced.

Cancellations of confirmed places later than 14 working days prior to the start of the course is not accepted and the full study fee will be invoiced.

Find the planned exam dates for the WSET Level 4 Diploma here. 

Candidates must hold either the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines or the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits to enroll on the WSET Level 4 Diploma.
No other course or education qualifies for admission.

Candidates whose first language is not English are strongly recommended to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above or be able to demonstrate an equivalent ability level.

Exams: 

Students will be registered to sit exams according to the scheme found under «Exam dates», unless otherwise agreed. Students can choose not to sit on the scheduled date, or to sit exams in other cities of the world on the dates set by the WSET.

If a student withdraws from an exam after the deadline he/she has used one examination attempt. If the student has been registered for the same exam previously, the full exam fee will be invoiced. All registrations/withdrawals from exams must be done via email to the study contact.

Students must pass five examinations and one assignment to pass the study. From the start of the program, students are registered for three years. As so, students have three years to complete the entire study program before a new student fee will be invoice (Approximately NOK 4000,-)

Welcome to our course program, where we stand out from other providers in several ways. While course materials and exams are standardized worldwide, we offer a unique adaptation that provides students with the best possible experience. Our attention to detail extends to the selection of wines during the course, where we not only follow WSET’s recommendations but also prioritize style and quality, even if it may incur additional costs.

Throughout our courses, participants benefit not only from instruction by world-class educators but also enjoy unlimited access to premium coffee, tea, and Purezza water, complemented by delectable lunches or dinners expertly crafted by our chefs.

Our dedicated staff, with expertise and knowledge exceeding requirements, ensures an engaging and educational experience. When it comes to pricing, we prefer to maintain a sustainable approach that reflects our belief in quality. Our experience and dedication to quality make us the ideal choice for those seeking a thorough and rewarding study experience.