WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Distance Learning

For students living more than 100 kilometres from one of IWEG’s classroom locations, or otherwise unable to attend scheduled lectures, the Independent Wine Education Guild offers online study courses.

The WSET Level 3 Award In Wines offers in-depth knowledge of a wide range of wines and is open to students holding the WSET Level 2 Award In Wines & Spirits, or completion of an equivalent course.

This qualification is ideal for trade employees working in a supervisory capacity, advising management, answering customer queries and making informed selections of wines in a wide variety of situations. This course is also the next step for the wine enthusiast wishing to build on knowledge gained on WSET Level 2.

The course is based around a 9-week structured online programme with a recommendation of 10 hours study per week to cover the online activities and read the relevant chapters in the textbook. It will be assumed that students have basic computer literacy, internet navigation skills and a good level of English.

The course follows a weekly structure, but it allows the student to work ahead or catch up on the activities and forums. There are no set times to log into the course as there are no live chats or webinars.

The course prepares the student for the qualification and is guided by a WSET educator. The student can contact the educator any time for the duration of the scheduled course, should they have any questions.

Each week includes a series of independent and/or group activities that guide the student through the key wine regions of the world looking at the factors in the vineyard and winery that influence wine styles.

Students are advised to taste a range of wines during their studies. A list of recommended tasting samples can be found in the specification. Students can post their tasting notes in the Online Classroom for review by the educator.

Students will require access to a computer (recommended) and/or HTML5 compatible mobile or tablet with the following minimum requirements: Internet Explorer 10, Firefox 25.0, Safari 6, Chrome 30.0 or other HTML5 compatible; web browser with Javascript and cookies enabled; Adobe Reader XI or equivalent; Internet access (broadband recommended).

Programme Schedule

Week 1: Factors influencing Style, Quality and Price
Consider the key factors influencing the style, quality and price of wine from vineyard to bottling.
Week 2: Tasting Technique
Learn to taste and describe wines using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting. Includes a tasting day which is arranged by the APP.
Weeks 3-5: The influences affecting the wines of Europe
Learn about the key influences and how they produce the resulting wine styles in the key wine regions and districts of Europe.
Weeks 6-7: The influences affecting the wines of the New World.
Learn about the key influences and how they produce the resulting wine styles in the key wine regions and districts of the New World. Learn about the key regional grape variety specialties of the new world. 
Week 8: Sparkling Wines, Fortified Wines
Learn about the methods of production and the main styles of sparkling wines from the key wine producing countries.
Learn about the methods of production and the main styles of fortified wines from the key wine producing countries.
Week 9: Revision
Revision & Examination Preparation.

In addition to the WSET on line classroom assignments students will also have access to study tools and materials through their personal IWEG student account.

Students will receive their study pack upon confirmation of registration and payment of tuition so they can start reading right away. Then the week prior to the course start date students will receive an email from the WSET on line classroom providing them with on line access codes to the online classroom and correspondence.

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is a challenging and demanding programme, it is important that you do keep on track with your study schedule and avail yourself to all of the study tools provided.  You will find that the WSET Distance Learning is very thorough and you will receive different tools to help with review and learning but also available to you are the Course Materials available to you through your IWEG student account.

IWEG now offers an alternative to Pay Pal; to charge tuition directly to your credit card please call into the office at 416-534-2570.

IWEG's Cancellation and Refund policy:

Withdrawal prior to WSET registration: Refund of tuition, less $150 administration fee, up to deadline date.  No refund after student is registered with WSET.  Please note all course materials are paid upon registration, and are non-refundable.

Policy on changing your exam date to an alternative date.

Please note IWEG's policy on changing your exam date:

When you register for a WSET or WSG course, you are booked to take your exam on a specific date, which is indicated in your Course Schedule. You can view this before registering, and when you register, you will be reminded.

If you decide not to write your exam on the date you are registered for, this is what you must know:

·  For WSET Levels 1 to 3 and WSG courses, you have to ask to change the date at least 15 days before the exam date, by writing to admin@iweg.org.

·  For WSET Level 4 Diploma you have to ask to change the date at least 75 days before the exam date, by writing to admin@iweg.org.

·  You must pick a new exam date within 12 months from the start of your current course.

·  You may change your exam date a maximum of two times during the 12 months. You can choose from any exam dates/re-sit dates listed on the course page of the IWEG website. It is possible that your first choice may not work, if the exam is full.

· Each time you change your exam date, there is a $150 fee.

· After the 12-month period, from the start of your current course, if you still need to sit the exam, you will be charged an exam “re-sit” fee, which varies depending on the course, as well as the $150 fee.

·  The only exception to this policy is in case of a valid and verified personal or family emergency, subject to approval from WSET and WSG.