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.
Building on the knowledge and skills gained from the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, the Diploma deepens your understanding of how and why wine production and business factors influence the style, quality, and price of wines.
Your expertise is built both theoretically, through comprehensive study of a large number of wine regions, and practically, by developing your wine tasting skills to an expert level. Successful graduates acquire exceptional analytical skills and proficiency in evaluative wine tasting, gaining global recognition as authoritative wine specialists. Should you wish to progress to the Master of Wine programme, you will be well-prepared.
The six units of Diploma:
- 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.
What you’ll learn:
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
Course fee:
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.
Entry requirements:
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,-)
Why you choose us!
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.
Course delivery:
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.
Diploma 2024-2026:
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 and 13:
12 June 2025 – D3 – South Africa, South America and China: Natalia Stratan
13 June 2025 – D3 – Spain and Italy: Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW
Day 14 and 15:
18 August 2025 – D3 – Italy: Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW
19 August 2025 – D3 – 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.