How do I register for a course?

• Website: You can register electronically on our website www.vsf.wine (Select "VSF School" > "Wine Courses" / "Saké Courses" / "Spirits Courses")
• Email: You can sign up for a course by email at info@vsf.wine and we will send you the payment details
• In Person: You can also visit us at our office to register in person

Can I spread my payments out?

Yes! It is possible to pay with an installment plan. Please feel free to discuss with us (info@vsf.wine).

When can I get my materials and/or login credentials?

If you choose to pick up your materials, we will let you know via email when they are available to be picked up. Otherwise, we will send out your materials as soon as possible, typically within 2-3 working days. It may take another 2-15 days for you to receive the materials depending on your location. Please understand that the earlier you enrol, the earlier you will receive your materials. For WSET Online courses (including the Level 3 Sake Pre-Study Programme), you will usually receive your login credentials from the WSET directly within 5 working days.

Can I skip the WSET Level 1 Wine/Spirits course and begin directly with the Level 2 Wine/Spirits course?

Yes, you can skip the WSET Level 1 Wine course and begin directly with the Level 2 Wine course. However, we strongly encourage our students to complete the programme step-by-step to avoid any blind spot, especially if you have had limited formal exposure to wine. Similarly, you can skip the WSET Level 1 Spirits course and begin directly with the Level 2 Spirits course.

Can I skip the WSET Level 2 Wine course and begin directly with the Level 3 Wine course?

Yes, however, you can skip the WSET Level 2 Wine course only if you have successfully completed our WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Direct Entry Test

Can I skip the WSET Level 1 Sake course and begin directly with the Level 3 Sake course?

Yes, you can skip the WSET Level 1 Sake course and begin directly with the Level 3 Sake course. However, we strongly encourage our students to complete the programme step-by-step to avoid any blind spot.

Can a credential from the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) qualify me for your Level 3 Wine course?

No. Unfortunately, a Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) credential is not a valid entry qualification for the WSET Level 3 Wine course as the two programmes deal with foundamentally different topics and aspects.

Can I make up classes that I miss?

If you know in advance that you will be missing a class, please email us with your name, course title/level and the date that you will be missing. We can't guarantee that we can run a make-up class for you. However, we will at least try to give you the relevant PowerPoint slides / handouts / exercises.

Can I join the next level before my results come back from the previous level?

You cannot register for the "WSET Level 3 Award in Wines" course without your Level 2 exam results. However, you can sign up for the Level 2 Wines, Level 2 Spirits or Level 3 Sake course without your Level 1 exam results. There are no pre-requisites for these courses.

How long do the exam results take to be returned?

As soon as we receive your exam results, we will e-mail you, and subsequently will post out your certificate/lapel pin to you. Emailed Results (pass/fail notification): Level 1: 4-6 weeks (6-9 weeks during the pandemic) Level 2: 4-6 weeks (6-9 weeks during the pandemic) Level 3: 8-12 weeks (12-14 weeks during the pandemic) Posting of Your Certificate/Lapel Pin (2-3 weeks after the release of exam results): Level 1: 6-9 weeks after the exam day Level 2: 6-9 weeks after the exam day Level 3: 10-15 weeks after the exam day Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the WSET has suspended the printing of certificates. However, you will be provided with a PDF confirmation which serves as temporary proof of achievement. The certificate & lapel pin will be supplied to you once the situation stabilises. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Can I buy a textbook without taking a course?

We may be able to order the textbooks (with or without the Study Guide) from the WSET for you. Please contact us at info@vsf.wine for details.

Can I take an exam without enrolling in and attending a course?

No. You must have attended a course (either online or classroom course) before taking the relevant exam. The only time that you can register for just an exam is when you are re-sitting a failed exam, or when you are transferring from another school.

Transfers / Resits - If I studied with a different WSET school, can I take or re-sit my exam in London at VSF Wine Education?

Yes, it is possible. 1st-Attempt Candidates We will need to verify your exam eligibility with the other school, and you will need to pay for the exam. If no tasting component is involved, i.e. if you are taking the WSET Level 1 or 2 exam only, we are very flexible and can definitely run a paper-based exam during office hours (or, if necessary, in the evening / at the weekend). We can also run a computer-based online exam 24/7. Please contact us at info@vsf.wine with your details at least 3 weeks prior to your desired exam date. Yet, if you wish to take a Level 3 exam with us as a "Transfer Student", the exam date will be subject to the availability of our Internal Assessor. Re-Sit Candidates If you wish to re-sit an exam with us as a "Transfer Student", please send us your score sheet and let us know the following details in your email: Surname: First Name(s): Gender (Male/Female/Other): Shipping Address (including postcode) Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY): Mobile Telephone No.; WSET Candidate Number: Email Address: Original Exam Date Sat: Original Exam Centre (i.e. your previous school): If no tasting component is involved, i.e. if you are taking the WSET Level 1 or 2 exam only, or if you are re-sitting the theory part of the Level 3 exam only, we are very flexible and can definitely run the exam during office hours (or, if necessary, in the evening / at the weekend). Please contact us at info@vsf.wine with your details at least 3 weeks prior to your desired exam date. Yet, if you'd need to re-sit the tasting part of the exam, the exam date will be subject to the availability of our Internal Assessor.

Can I register for a course before I am 18?

18 is the legal drinking age in the UK. You can register for a class before you are 18 only if you will turn 18 before the first day of class. Please note that you must provide a valid government-issued ID proving that you have turned 18 before the course begins.

Do you keep credit card information on file?

No, we do not keep credit card information on file for security and privacy reasons.

Do you run any FREE courses?

Unfortunately not. However, we have compiled a list of FREE online wine/saké courses provided by various organisations. Please refer to this blog entry.

What's WSET? What's SSA?

We are accredited by both WSET and SSA. "WSET" stands for the "Wine & Spirit Education Trust", and "SSA" stands for "Sake Sommelier Association". Learn more: https://www.vsf.wine/about-wset-ssa

Can I take the exam online?

Yes, it is now possible to take the exam online for the following WSET Level 1 and Level 2 courses:

• WSET Level 1 Award in Wines
• WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
• WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits
• WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits
• WSET Level 1 Award in Sake