Frequently Asked Questions

This area of the site is to try and help you answer some of those questions that crop up whilst you are studying for your diploma. If the following does not help you then please do not hesitate to contact the WSET and we will endeavour to assist you with your queries.

Two of the most important documents that you should read whilst studying for your diploma are the 'Candidate Assessment Guide' and the 'Diploma Specification, which gives full guidance on all aspects of the Diploma course.

Examinations

Unit 2 is very technical are there any books that I should read that will assist with my studies?

A Yes - The required recommended reading for this Unit is 'Understanding Wine Technology' by David Bird this can be purchased from our online shop. www.wset.co.uk or it will be included with your other materials depending on your diploma APP.

Do I need to pass Units 1 and 2 before taking any other units?

No, Unit 1 is awarded automatically upon completion of 4 (four) coursework assignments. You must take the Unit 2 exam before any other exam, however if you fail you may continue with your course and re-sit the exam at a later date.

Where can I find a list of diploma exam dates?

Your Approved Programme Provider (Diploma centre) should have given you a list of these days. Please contact the APP you are registered with directly:

What exactly can I expect from all the examinations?

Unit 1 = 4 x coursework assignments between 1500-2000 words on a topic set by WSET Awards

Unit 2 = 100 multiple choice questions on vinification and viticulture, you will have 90 minutes to complete this paper.

Unit 3 Tasting = 2 papers, each consisting of 6 wines, you will have 1 hour to complete each paper

Unit 3 Theory = You will need to answer 1 compulsory question and 4 additional questions which you may choose from a choice of 6. These written questions may take the form of an essay or paragraph answers depending on the instructions in the question. You will be given 3 hours to complete this closed book exam.

All portfolios must be HAND written.  Although these are not formally assessed you will be required to submit them to your APP for feedback.

Unit 4,5 & 6 Practical Tasting Exam = You will have 1 hour to complete tasting notes for the 3 samples you are given as well as answering a written question on the relevant unit.
Eg U4 = Spirits, U5 = Sparkling & U6 = Fortified wines.

Studying and Revision

I am attending a diploma course but how much private study should I be doing?

Each unit of the Diploma carries a specified number of credits. Each credit equates to 10 hours of tuition and personal study combined.

It has been a considerable time since I have been in formal education and have forgotten all my revision techniques.

There are some excellent tips on how to tackle your revision on page 5 of the 'Candidate Assessment Guide'.  Click here to download some helpful Revision Tips

Course Work Assignments

It states in the Candidate Assessment Guide that the coursework assignments for Unit 1 should be between 1,500 & 2,000 words. Will it make a difference is I fall short or exceed these word limits?

It is imperative that you stick to the specified word count. An assignment submitted with less than 1,500 words will receive a FAIL. Any work over 2,000 words will not be marked.

Do I need to submit a bibliography with each of the course work assignments?

Yes - it states very clearly in the candidate assessment guide that a bibliography is necessary. If a bibliography is not submitted this will result in a FAIL

Will I receive additional guidance on how to write each coursework assignment?

Yes, each coursework assignment title will be accompanied by an assignment brief detailing what is required and how the weighting of marks will be allocated.

When can I hand my coursework assignments in?

There will be two submission dates in each academic year these will be the second Tuesday in November and April.  Please contact your APP for further information on the registration process.

Do I have to inform my APP when I want to hand in a piece of coursework?

Absolutely, it is imperative that you inform your APP which titles you will be submitting.  This is important as your APP will need to register you with WSET Awards 4 weeks before the actual submission date.  If you fail to do this your assignment may not be valid for submission.

What if I fail a Course work assignment?

If you receive a FAIL grade you will have to submit a different title either later in the academic year i.e April or the following academic year.  If you do receive a fail you will not be able to achieve a grade higher than a pass for your resubmitted assignment.

Do I receive my assignment back?

No, you will only receive your front cover, which will inform you of your grade and the markers comments.

When will I know what the assignments for Unit 1 are going to be?

The assignments will be issued at the beginning of the course alternatively they will be available on the WSET website from the end of May for the following academic year.

What will happen if I hand in an assignment late?

Unless you have already been awarded an extension by WSET your work will not be marked, and you will either have to wait until April or re-submit a new title in the following academic year.

Where can I view past Unit 3 exam questions and examples of course work assignments?

These can be viewed on the Examinations Papers page of the Diploma Student Area on the Global Campus. The examiners report will be available at the end of the year and will provide students with an insight into the standard expected by the examiners to obtain the WSET Level 4 Diploma.

Results

When can I expect to receive my examination results?

A Unit 2 - Results are issued within 2-3 weeks

All other units will take up to 12 weeks, please note that the 12 week date is taken from the time that WSET Awards receives your assignment, normally a week following your submission.

I do not understand why I received a lower grade than I was expecting?

The WSET Awards team will be able to provide feedback for any component that you would like further guidance on. Please contact the exams department and they will forward you a feedback form exams@wset.co.uk

I feel that there may have been a judgemental error made in the marking of my exam and I would like to enquire against my awarded grade.

This is rare as scripts are marked by an external marker and then verified internally, however you may request a re-mark. Please contact the exams department who will forward you an enquiry against results form exams@wset.co.uk.

What happens if I want to postpone my studies?

Once a candidate has reached the end of their registration period, they can decide to postpone their studies.  No forms are required to be completed.  When the candidate wishes to continue they will need to re-register.  At this point WSET Awards will review all passes attained by the candidate, if the syllabus has changed greatly since the pass was gained, WSET Awards may require the candidate to resit and pass the unit again.