The Wine and Spirits Education Trust provides globally-recognised qualifications in wines and spirits. Their courses provide excellent introductions for wine lovers, trade professionals and enthusiastic hobbyists alike. Attending a WSET-approved programme with the Oxford Wine Company will set you up with the knowledge to choose and appreciate wine with confidence!
Dates and details of our course calendar commencing September 2024 are live on our events page, comprising a full programme of in-person evening class courses at Levels 1,2 and 3 in Wines held at our Jericho Wine Rooms.
Each class has a maximum of 16 places and has a specified booking deadline date.
Places are available to book via our online shop.
At The Oxford Wine School we teach and examine the WSET Award in Wines Level One, Two and Three. Level One is taught as a single day course and is aimed at beginners. Level Two takes place over nine evenings and is suitable for enthusiastic amateurs and professionals. Level Three is an intensive eight week course which will leave you with an advanced knowledge of wine.
About the course: This hands-on course will teach you to understand more about wine through sight, smell and taste. By the end of the course you’ll be able to taste wine using a systematic approach, identify key styles of wine and know the characteristics of important grape varieties. You’ll also learn the key principles of food and wine pairing and how to apply these to your own food and wine choices.
Successful students will receive a WSET certificate.
Do I need any prior knowledge? No prior knowledge is required. All classes are delivered in English therefore a good level of English is beneficial.
Assessment – The exam takes place in the last session of the course. The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes. To pass you must correctly answer 70% of the questions. This qualification is Ofqual regulated.
Cost – £250 – The cost includes all study materials, wine samples, tuition, examination, provision of service equipment during the course and VAT. Study materials are issued at the start of the course.
Students who wish to re-sit the exam can do so by prior booking at a cost of £125, payable in advance.
About the course: This structured and informative course explores the major grape varieties and important regions that define the world’s key wines. You’ll learn about production, key labelling terminology and major classifications to help you identify wines with confidence. This course is fantastic CV material for those pursuing a career in Wine or hospitality. For the amateur consumer it will provide invaluable knowledge and expertise – meaning that you will be able to choose and appreciate wine with confidence!
Successful students will receive a WSET certificate.
What’s Covered
Do I need any prior knowledge? No prior knowledge is required. All classes are delivered in English therefore a good level of English is beneficial. Students completely new to wine and spirits study may wish to complete the Level 1 Award in Wines first. However, this is not essential.
Course delivery – This qualification has a minimum requirement of 28 hours of study time, including 16 hours of classroom time. There will be eight classes lasting two hours each.
Assessment – Assessment is by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in one hour. 55% correct answers is a Pass. 70% is a Pass with Merit. 85% is a Pass with Distinction. The exam will take place in week 9, the final session of the course. This qualification is regulated by Ofqual
Cost – £600 – The cost includes all study materials, wine and samples, tuition, six ISO tasting glasses, examination, postage and VAT.
Students who wish to re-sit the exam can do so by prior booking at a cost of £145.
An advanced level qualification for professionals working in the wine industry and for wine enthusiasts. For individuals seeking to delve deeper into the world of wines, this qualification provides a detailed understanding of grape growing and wine making. Upon completion you will be able to assess wines accurately, and use your understanding to confidently explain wine style and quality.
Our experienced educators will assist you to develop your analytic tasting abilities through a carefully selected series of 82 wine samples.
Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin, and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.
What you’ll learn
Unit 1
Unit 2
Course delivery
This qualification has a minimum requirement of 84 hours of study time, including 30 hours of classroom time.
Students should note that this is a demanding course and are advised to allow adequate self-study and revision time. A minimum of 60 hours of study time is recommended, in addition to classroom attendance.
It is essential that all 16 classes are attended.
Assessment
Unit 1 is assessed by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions and a short-written answer paper. Unit 2 is assessed by a blind tasting of two wines.
This qualification is regulated by Ofqual
Entry requirements
It is recommended that you hold the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits or can demonstrate the equivalent level of knowledge.
Cost – £995 – The cost includes all study materials, wine and samples, tuition, six ISO tasting glasses, examination, postage and VAT.
Students who wish to re-sit the exam can do so by prior booking at a cost of £175 for theory or £125 for tasting.
Our WSET Courses are also available in an online study format. To find out more about online WSET study, click here
We hold WSET Courses throughout the year.
For the most up to date information regarding upcoming courses, see our events calendar.
John Shuckburgh DipWSET is responsible for The Oxford Wine School’s programme of courses. He has over thirty years’ professional experience in the wine trade and is an experienced consultant and educator. He conducts freelance tastings for professionals and novices alike, including at Radley College, where he leads the Grapevine Wine Tasting Society. John specialises in providing informative and approachable wine education to fellow enthusiasts!
Tim Bradley DipWSET has been working at The Oxford Wine Company for five years, and joined our education team in 2021. He holds the WSET Diploma and Spanish Wine Scholar award. Tim teaches The Oxford Wine School’s Level One courses.
The Oxford Wine School Terms and Conditions
Full payment must be made at time of booking – we do not accept provisional bookings and places will only be confirmed once payment is received.
Cancellations of confirmed places are accepted up to 10 working days prior to the start of the course. The full cost of any study materials supplied will be deducted and the remainder of the course fee refunded to the payee. Transfers of a confirmed booking either to another course or applicant can be made up to 10 working days before the course start date.
Courses must reach a minimum number of attendees in order to proceed. In the event that this number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the course. Ten working days’ notice will be given should this be necessary.
Punctuality is important and considerate to all participants. If you know you are going to be late or unable to attend a session please notify the course tutor via the venue telephone as soon as possible. Starting times will not be flexible for any more than ten minutes.
Your constructive feedback will be sought during and at the end of all courses. This is a mandatory requirement and will be used for continuous improvement of our educational offering.