WSET Diploma Course: Units 1 and 2
Units 1 and 2: Introduction
Unit 1 is "The Business of Wine." Through the 2007-08 academic year it has no exam, but is assessed by four coursework assignments of 1500-2000 words on topics that change each year.
Unit 2, "Wine Production," is assessed by a multiple-choice exam. Diploma students must take this exam before submitting any Unit 1 assignments or taking any other Unit exams. This test is given on several occasions during the year; it is possible to take the Unit 2 exam and one or more other Unit exams on the same day. Please note that it is not necessary to PASS the Unit 2 exam before going on to other Unit exams or Unit 1 assignments. It is only necessary to TAKE the exam. Although we have a high pass rate for the Unit 2 exam, occasionally students have failed on their first try but have successfully gone on to Unit 3 or other Units and have taken and passed the Unit 2 exam at a later date.
We offer Units 1 and 2 as a combined class each fall. In years when there is sufficient interest, we also offer Unit 2 classes in the winter/spring semester. (Winter/spring students can attend Unit 1 classes the following fall.) See our schedule for upcoming course and exam offerings.
Fall Combined Class for Units 1 and 2
We offer ten or more classes covering Units 1 and 2 from early September through late November. Most of our Diploma students begin their studies with these fall classes.
Unit 2 classes cover viticulture, vinification, and wine maturation, plus 22 "commercially significant" grape varieties. The first hour of a Unit 2 class is lecture-discussion of textual material. The second hour involves tasting the 22 commercially significant grape varieties.
Unit 1 classes cover "The Global Business of Alcoholic Beverages," "The Local Business of Alcoholic Beverages," and "Marketing Alcoholic Beverages." WSET issues extensive written and electronic materials that students should consult in writing their coursework assignments. The Unit 1 class sessions introduce, explain and discuss these materials. Tastings during Unit 1 weeks are usually blind, to illustrate various concepts.
See the typical weekly topics and wine categories for the Unit 1-2 course.
Winter/Spring Class for Unit 2 Only
In years when we have enough students interested we will also offer Unit 2 classes in the winter semester. Since the prime candidates for these classes are students who took their Advanced Certificate exams in the prior December, we delay the start of the Unit 2 classes until March to ensure that Advanced Certificate results have been received.
From our list of each week's topics and wines for Units 1 and 2, our winter/spring course includes only the Unit 2 classes. Students in the winter/spring course can attend Unit 1 classes in the fall.
The winter/spring course is shortened for good reason: Since no Diploma student can submit a Unit 1 coursework assignment during his or her first semester -- i.e., before having taken the Unit 2 exam, students who begin their Diploma studies in the winter-spring will not be eligible to submit coursework assignments until November at the earliest. Students in our winter/spring classes can sit for the Unit 2 exam in June, then attend Unit 1 classes with the new students in the following Fall semester, to prepare them to submit Unit 1 coursework assignments in later semesters.
Students beginning their Diploma studies in the winter semester should note that WSET operates on an Academic Year (August to July) basis, and their registrations will in effect be for only 2 1/2 years (e.g., registrations in winter, 2008 will be effective through July, 2010). Also, Unit 1 coursework assignments cannot be submitted until the November following their registration, as the April due date will occur before they take their Unit 2 exam (required before submitting any coursework assignments). For the benefit of those students, they will be invited to attend Unit 1 classes in the fall semester to assist with their coursework assignments.