What is WSET Level 4 - Diploma
A course that builds expertise theoretically and practically through comprehensive study of a large number of wine regions and tasting a large number of wines. The course deepens your understanding of how and why wine production and business factors influence the style, quality and price of wines.
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.
Course Information
This qualification has a minimum requirement of 500 hours of study time:
- Minimum 116 hours of delivery time
- Minimum 370 hours of personal study and revision, including preparing an independent research assignment (D6)
- Examinations for each unit (excluding D6) totaling 11 hours 50 minutes
It normally takes between 12 months and 3 years to complete WSET Level 4. Each unit is weighted differently in terms of hours of study required, the list below shows the minimum guided learning time, private study time and the weighting applied against each unit.
The diploma education is arranged every other year.
- 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.
From 9.00 am – 5.00 pm every day
Day 1, 2 and 3:
15 august 2022 - Welcome, general info, tasting technique and introduction to viticulture and vinification and business of wine exams w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
16 august 2022 - D1 – Viticulture w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
17 august 2022 - D1 - Vinification w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
Day 4 and 5
4 October 2022 - D2 - Business of Wine w/Mai Tjemsland MW
5 October 2022, - D2 and D6 - Business of Wine and research paper w/Mai Tjemsland MW
Day 6 and 7
16 January 2023 - D4 - Sparkling wine w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
17 January 2023 - D5 - Fortified wine w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
Day 8 and 9
27 March 2023 – D3 - Burgundy, Beaujolais, Jura and South West w/Alexander Hojem
28 March 2023 – D3 - Exam technique D4 and D5 w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
Day 10 and 11
17 April 2023 – D3 - Germany and Austria w/Caro Maurer MW
18 April 2023 – D3 - Bordeaux and South of France w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
Day 12 and 13
5 June 2023 – D3 - Rhône, Alsace and Loire w/Alexander Hojem
6 June 2023 – D3 - Spain and Portugal w/Tone Veseth Furuholmen
Day 14 and 15
21 August 2023 - D3 - Italy w/Tone Veseth Furuholmen
22 August 2023 - D3 - Italy w/Tone Veseth Furuholmen
Day 16 and 17
16 October 2023 - D3 - Italy, Greece and Tokaj w/Mai Tjemsland MW
17 October 2023 - D3 - South Africa, South America and China w/Mai Tjemsland MW
Day 18 and 19
22 January 2024 - D3 - North America w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
23 January 2024 - D3 - Australia and New Zealand w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
Day 20
11 March 2024 – D3 exam technique w/Heidi Iren Hansen MW
From 9.00 am – 5.00 pm every day
Implemented subject to sufficient registration.
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 74.500,- 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.
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 3000) 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.
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 3000,-)
- Heidi Iren Hansen MW
- Mai Tjemsland MW
- Caro Maurer MW
- Sebastian Bredal MW
- Tone Veseth Furuholmen
- Alexander Hojem
All course days will be thought in English
Paula Pinilla works as a Portfolio manager for Symposium Wines. She graduated WSET Diploma. Read about her experience here.
Bente Vamråk jobber i Winning Brands og har tidligere tatt WSET Diploma hos oss. Les om hennes erfaringer her.
Svein Mjøen er lege og har ingen direkte forbindelse til restaurantbransjen, men har en stor lidenskap for vin. Han har studert WSET Level 2, 3 og Diploma hos oss. Les om hans erfaringer her.
We send you information about new wine courses, activities and other exciting things happening here at the Culinary Academy.
For more information about WSET, visit their web-page
Have any questions?
Get in touch with us
Jenny Pettersson: jp@kulinariskakademi.no
