Question 1

What's WSET?

Accepted Answer

We are accredited by WSET, which stands for the "Wine & Spirit Education Trust". Learn more: https://www.vsf.wine/about-wset

Question 2

How do I register for a course?

Accepted Answer

Website: You can register electronically on our website www.vsf.wine (Select "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

Question 3

Can I spread my payments out?

Accepted Answer

Certainly! You have the option to conveniently make your payment using a 4-installment plan through PayPal.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Rest assured, your materials will be promptly dispatched, usually within 2-3 working days. Once shipped, the delivery time varies based on your location. For addresses within the UK, you can typically expect delivery within 1-2 days after dispatch, while non-UK addresses may experience a delivery time of 3-15 days.
 
We kindly request your understanding that enrolling sooner will result in an earlier receipt of your materials.

Regarding WSET Online courses, including the Level 3 Sake Online Preparation Course (OPC), typically, you can anticipate receiving your login credentials directly from WSET within 5 working days.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Regarding the Level 3 Wines course, the option to bypass the WSET Level 2 Wine course is available exclusively to those who have successfully cleared our WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Direct Entry Test

In the case of the Level 3 Spirits course, we strongly advise prior completion of the Level 2 Spirits course, given its significantly advanced content and complexity.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How long do the exam results take to be returned?

Accepted Answer

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: 2-12 weeks
Level 2: 2-12 weeks
Level 3: 8-18 weeks
 
Posting of Your Certificate/Lapel Pin (2-3 months after the release of exam results):
Level 1: 6-24 weeks after the exam day
Level 2: 6-24 weeks after the exam day
Level 3: 12-36 weeks after the exam day

Question 11

Can I buy a textbook without taking a course?

Accepted Answer

We may be able to order the textbooks (printed or eBook version) from the WSET for you. Please contact us at info@vsf.wine for details.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

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 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 invigilators/assessors. 
 
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 invigilators/assessors.

Question 14

Can I make up classes that I miss?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

Can I register for a course before I am 18?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

Do you keep credit card information on file?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Do you run any FREE courses?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Can I take the exam online?

Accepted Answer

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
Unfortunately, there is no online exam for Level 3 qualifications due to the fact that there is a tasting component. Both the tasting & theory portions of Level 3 exams can only be taken in person at our school in London.
 
VSF students can book their online exams here: https://www.vsf.wine/product-page/wset-online-exam-registration
 
If you are not a VSF student but wish to take an online or in-person exam with us, please send us an email at info@vsf.wine

Frequently asked questions