WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines®

The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines aims to give students specialist knowledge and understanding of the core principles of production and business of wine. Diploma graduates will have the product knowledge and the analytical tasting skills to explain and evaluate wines.

Prior to preregistration, applicants should be familiar with the information contained within the Specifications (which contain the Diploma Learning Outcomes), the 2026-2028 programme, as well as the associated information found on our website.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Online preregistration period
• Internal application analysis and candidate interviews
• Communication of the application results
• Final inscription and full payment online*

*A discounted price of 8.950€ will be applied for Level 3 Alumni of The Wine Studio.

INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION

The course fees include:

• Access to the WSET Global Campus and official online materials for a period of three (3) years
• Administrative fees and one (1) examination sitting per unit
• A total of 140 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), comprising tutor-led instruction and supervised assessments delivered by qualified specialists. These hours include:
  • A 2-hour revision session prior to the examination for Units D1, D2, D4 and D5, designed to consolidate key concepts and practise theory-based exam questions
  • For Unit D3, a total of four (4) 2-hour revision sessions delivered throughout the unit, together with an initial session focused on tasting technique. All such sessions will be delivered online, recorded, and made available via The Wine Studio’s website for ongoing student access throughout the programme
• The organisation of three educational visits to wine regions during the programme, aligned with the following units:
  • A visit towards the end of Unit D4 to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
  • A visit towards the end of Unit D5 to Jerez de la Frontera
  • A visit during Unit D3 to a region to be confirmed
  • Travel and accommodation costs associated with these visits are not included in the course fees
• The tasting of more than 180 wine samples in accordance with the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines Specification
• Five (5) mock examinations (one per unit, excluding Unit D6), with feedback provided by WSET-approved examiners
• For mock examinations in Units D3, D4 and D5, comprehensive tasting notes will be provided as reference material to support independent study
• Optional homework assignments for each unit (excluding Unit D6), accompanied by model answers to support self-assessment
• Two (2) group coaching sessions per academic year delivered by Certified Health Coach and Director of The Human Studio, Elisa Errea, in accordance with the published schedule

LANGUAGE

The WSET Level 4 Diploma is ONLY TAUGHT IN ENGLISH. Candidates whose first language is not English should have IELTS at 6.5 / B2-C1 CEFR or above or be able to demonstrate an equivalent ability level. If you are uncertain about the language skills required to start the course, you can contact us and check your level at one of the following websites:

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/test-your-english/
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/online-english-level-test

ASSESSMENT

To complete the Diploma you must pass all six units, successfully meeting the rigorous assessment requirements across the syllabus. All exams will be held in Madrid. Assessment varies by Unit:

D1 – WINE PRODUCTION
1½ hour closed-book examination made up of open-response questions

D2 – WINE BUSINESS
1 hour closed-book examination made up of open-response questions

D4 – SPARKLING WINES
1½ hour closed-book examination made up of open-response questions and a blind tasting of three sparkling wines

D5 – FORTIFIED WINES
1½ hour closed-book examination made up of open-response questions and a blind tasting of three fortified wines

D3 – WINES OF THE WORLD
A theory and tasting examination to be held over two consecutive days:
Day one – A two-part theory exam formed of open-response questions to be completed in 3 hours 20 minutes (one 2-hour paper and one 80-minute paper)
Day two – A two-part blind tasting examination of 12 wines to be completed in 3 hours (two papers of 1½ hours)

D6 – INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT
A single research assignment of 3,000 words

Those who successfully complete the Diploma will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the post-nominal “DipWSET” and associated WSET certified logo. You will also become a member of the WSET Alumni Body, with access to their quarterly reports and a number of exclusive events.