Learn about sake with the new WSET Level 2 Award in Sake at WSET School London. This interactive course is intended for anyone wishing to learn about the different styles of sake and how they are made.
Course information
If you're keen to explore the world of sake, then WSET's new Level 2 Award in Sake is the right course for you.
This qualification is intended for anyone wishing to learn about the different styles of sake and how they are made, as well as those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake.
Upon completion you will gain a globally-recognised qualification and the skills to select, taste and describe sake with confidence.
The WSET Level 2 Award in Sake focuses on how the ingredients used by brewers are processed and combined to create the many different styles of sake.
It will also teach you how to describe and assess the quality of the sakes you taste. If you are a sake or hospitality professional, you’ll be able to offer valuable guidance on selection and service to your colleagues and customers. If you are a sake enthusiast, you’ll know exactly what to look for when choosing sakes for any occasion.
- How to describe and assess the quality of sake using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake ® (SAT)
- The ingredients used to make sake:
- This includes the ingredients that brewers are required to use and the ones they can choose. We also cover the varieties of rice that are used to make sake.
- Processing the raw materials:
- We cover how steamed white rice and koji (a type of fungus used for fermentation) are made and how different styles of sake require rice with different polishing ratios and different styles of koji.
- How sake is made:
- We explore all of the main techniques that are used from fermentation starter to dilution and packaging and how different choices are made when making the different styles of sake.
- Common labelling terms, including how some of the most important ones are written in Japanese.
Your learning will be assessed by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in 60 minutes.
This qualification is graded:
- Pass: 55% - 69%
- Pass with Merit: 70% - 84%
- Pass with Distinction: 85% or more
WSET is committed to making our exams fair and accessible, and ensuring that no candidate is placed at a disadvantage. If you have any special requirements or need to request reasonable adjustments, please let us know.
This qualification is regulated by Ofqual.
Successful students will receive a WSET certificate.
This qualification is suitable for beginners as well as those with some foundational sake knowledge. If you are completely new to the subject we recommend starting with the Level 1 Award in Sake, though this is not a requirement.
You must be at least 18 years old to enrol on any of our courses.
This qualification combines guided and private study. It requires you to undertake a recommended minimum of 11 hours of private study time in addition to your guided learning hours.
The only necessary study material for this course is the WSET Level 2 Award in Sake study guide, which will be sent to you on booking or can be collected from WSET School London.
Study options
We currently have one study option available for this course at WSET School London. Online courses are coming soon (August 2024)!
We recommend selecting the option that best suits your own schedule, factoring in both attendance and private-study requirements. If you are unsure which option will suit you best, please feel free to get in touch.
- Where: WSET School London
- Duration: 9:00am-5:00pm over three consecutive days (includes exam)
- Private study: 11 hours. We recommend completing the majority of home study before the course begins
- Samples: In-class sake samples included
- Includes: Your workbook, 18 sake samples, six tasting glasses, 16 hours of tuition, access to WSET School London additional resources on WSET’s Online Classroom, your examination, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
- Who: Those who want to complete the course as quickly as possible. This is the most intensive study format
Browse intensive courses
- Where: Online via WSET’s Online Classroom, with exam in London or online*
- Duration: Five weeks self-guided study to be completed around your schedule
- Private study: At least six hours a week
- Samples: Sake not included. We recommend you taste a minimum of 25 sake and you‘ll get guidance on what styles to taste
- Includes: Access to WSET's Online Classroom for one year (where you can participate in online lessons, activities, tests and forums), a dedicated online tutor who is available to answer your questions during the course, your examination, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
- Enhanced features: Revision videos, flash cards and exam tips
- Who: Those who need a flexible study option, international students or those far away from our classroom centres
- Technology requirements: We recommend that you use a laptop or desktop device and have a reliable internet connection. To sit your examination online you will also need one additional smart device such as a smartphone or tablet
*More information on how online examinations work will be shared with you once you enrol. If you are a student in Mainland China or the UAE, it’s not possible for you to take the exam online due to technological restrictions.
While the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake is an introductory course, Level 2 takes you on a deeper adventure into the world of sake - a great course for those of you interested in sake, giving you a more comprehensive knowledge and tasting experience of a greater number of sake samples. You will want to travel to Japan and visit sake breweries on your own!
Ayuko Yamaguchi, WSET Sake Educator, Kyoto, Japan