WSET Level 1 Award in Wines at WSET School London

WSET Global Home
WSET School London
WSET courses
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

The perfect wine course for beginners to start exploring the world of wine.

Course information

This course is an ideal starting point for wine enthusiasts wanting to get to grips with the basics, or those embarking on a career in wine or hospitality.

In a short space of time, you’ll find yourself feeling much more confident tasting wine, navigating a wine list, buying bottles and pairing wine with food.

This course is suitable for students with little to no wine knowledge who wish to explore, with confidence, the main styles of wine.

The course provides a solid foundation which can be built on further on the Level 2 Award in Wines.

What will I learn?

The course will cover:

The main types and styles of wine
Common wine grapes and their characteristics
How to make food and wine pairings
Tutored tasting of nine wines (except online courses)
How to store and serve wine
How to describe wine using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)

By the end of the course you’ll be able to taste wine using a globally recognised approach, identify key styles of wine and characteristics of important grape varieties. You’ll also learn the key principles of food and wine pairing and how to apply these to your own food and wine choices.

View the qualification specification

Assessment

The Level 1 Award in Wines exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes.

To pass you must correctly answer 70% of the questions.

Successful students will receive a WSET digital certificate.

This qualification is Ofqual regulated.

You'll receive your results approximately four weeks after the exam. Exam and results FAQs.

Do I need any prior knowledge?

No prior wine knowledge is required, just enthusiasm!

All our classes are delivered in English therefore a good level of English is beneficial.

You must be at least 18 years old to enrol on any of our courses.

How should I prepare?

There is no need to prepare anything before starting your Level 1 Award in Wines course.

However, anyone embarking on a WSET qualification should familiarise themselves with the qualification specification. This document will help you understand what to expect and what you will get out of the course.

Study options

We have four study options available for this course at WSET School London.

1. Day release course | £250

Where: WSET School London
Duration: 9:00am-5:00pm on one day (includes exam)
Private study: Not required. There are recapping and revision exercises throughout the day
Samples: In-class wine samples included
Includes: Your workbook, nine wine samples, six hours of tuition, your exam, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
Who: Those who want to complete the course as quickly as possible

Browse day release courses

2. Evening courses | £250

Where: WSET School London
Duration: 6:30-8:30pm once a week for three weeks (includes exam)
Private study: Not required, but this format gives you the flexibility to pre-read or recap topics between classes
Samples: In-class wine samples included
Includes: Your workbook, nine wine samples, six hours of tuition, your exam, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
Who: A popular option for those working close to London Bridge or those who are unable to study in the daytime

Browse evening courses

3. Saturday course | £250

Where: WSET School London
Duration: 10:30am-2:00pm over two consecutive Saturdays (includes exam)
Private study: Not required, but this format gives you the flexibility to pre-read or recap topics between classes
Samples: In-class wine samples included
Includes: Your workbook, nine wine samples, six hours of tuition, your exam, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
Who: A popular option for those wanting to explore the local area or those who are unable to study on weekdays

Browse Saturday courses

4. Enhanced online course | £210

Where: Online via WSET’s Online Classroom*
Duration: Four weeks self-guided study to be completed around your schedule
Private study: At least three hours a week
Samples: Wines not included. We recommend you taste a minimum of six wines and you‘ll get guidance on what styles to taste
Includes: Access to WSET's Online Classroom for one year, a dedicated online tutor, your exam, and exclusive offers via our Student Deals Card
Enhanced features: Revision videos, flash cards and exam tips
Who: Those who need a flexible study option, international students or those far away from our classroom centres
Technology requirements: We recommend that you use a laptop or desktop device and have a reliable internet connection. To sit your exam online you will also need one additional smart device such as a smartphone or tablet

*More information on how online exams work will be shared with you once you enrol. If you are a student in Mainland China or the UAE, it’s not possible for you to take the exam online due to technological restrictions.

Online study FAQs

Browse online courses

Course dates

Start date	Study option	Location	Price	Booking deadline	Availability
Saturday 25 Jul 2026	Saturdays	WSET School London	£250	Wednesday 22 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Wednesday 29 Jul 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Tuesday 28 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Friday 31 Jul 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 19 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 03 Aug 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 26 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 03 Aug 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 19 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Tuesday 04 Aug 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Tuesday 28 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Saturday 08 Aug 2026	Saturdays	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 02 Aug 2026	10+	Book Now
Wednesday 12 Aug 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 26 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 17 Aug 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 26 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Tuesday 25 Aug 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Tuesday 18 Aug 2026	10+	Book Now
Friday 28 Aug 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Wednesday 12 Aug 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 31 Aug 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 26 Jul 2026	10+	Book Now
Thursday 03 Sep 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Monday 17 Aug 2026	10+	Book Now
Saturday 05 Sep 2026	Saturdays	WSET School London	£250	Thursday 27 Aug 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 07 Sep 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Wednesday 02 Sep 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 14 Sep 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 06 Sep 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 14 Sep 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Thursday 27 Aug 2026	10+	Book Now
Thursday 17 Sep 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Thursday 10 Sep 2026	10+	Book Now
Saturday 26 Sep 2026	Saturdays	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 13 Sep 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 28 Sep 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 20 Sep 2026	10+	Book Now
Wednesday 30 Sep 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 13 Sep 2026	10+	Book Now
Tuesday 06 Oct 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Friday 18 Sep 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 12 Oct 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 04 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Wednesday 14 Oct 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Thursday 01 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Friday 16 Oct 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Thursday 01 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Thursday 22 Oct 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Thursday 08 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Saturday 24 Oct 2026	Saturdays	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 18 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 26 Oct 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 18 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Wednesday 28 Oct 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Monday 12 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 02 Nov 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Thursday 15 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 02 Nov 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 25 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 09 Nov 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 01 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now
Thursday 12 Nov 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Monday 26 Oct 2026	10+	Book Now
Tuesday 17 Nov 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Monday 09 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now
Saturday 21 Nov 2026	Saturdays	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 15 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 23 Nov 2026	Online	Online (exam via Remote Invigilation)	£210	Sunday 15 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now
Tuesday 24 Nov 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Saturday 07 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now
Wednesday 02 Dec 2026	Evenings	WSET School London	£250	Tuesday 24 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now
Friday 04 Dec 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Tuesday 17 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now
Saturday 05 Dec 2026	Saturdays	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 29 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now
Saturday 12 Dec 2026	Saturdays	WSET School London	£250	Sunday 06 Dec 2026	10+	Book Now
Monday 14 Dec 2026	Day Release	WSET School London	£250	Monday 30 Nov 2026	10+	Book Now

The course was a great introduction to the world of wine. I especially enjoyed the tastings and pairing food with wine. I definitely recommend to everyone interested in wine!

Jedrzej, Level 1 Award in Wines student, 2020

Wines

Spirits

Sake

Beer

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines