One of the most frequently asked questions by students is- how hard is the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines? Many students do not know where to place this intermediate-level course in terms of difficulty. It sounds more difficult than WSET Level 1 but how much more effort does it need? Can a student directly pursue WSET Level 2 certification without doing WSET Level 1 course? Let’s take a look at various aspects of this popular wine certification, which will help you make an informed choice.
What is WSET Level 2 Award In Wines?
Awarded by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in the UK, this beginner-to-intermediate-level qualification. It is suitable for professionals and enthusiasts wishing to learn about a wide range of wines or those seeking to build on introductory knowledge. Students do not need to have any previous wine qualifications to pursue this course. Since this course involves tasting wines, students must be of legal drinking age in their country.
While it is available in multiple languages, such as German, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, etc., in India, you can pursue it in English. The course is available through Approved Programme Providers- organisations that WSET approves to offer its courses and exams.
Upon successfully passing the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, students receive a WSET certificate along with a lapel pin which showcases expertise in the subject of wine.
What Will You Learn In This Course?
- Explore key grape varieties and wine regions worldwide
- Understand how production methods impact wine styles and quality
- Learn advanced wine tasting using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT)
- Develop food and wine pairing expertise
- Build confidence in buying, storing, and serving wines professionally
Is the WSET Level 2 Hard?
The institute recommends a minimum requirement of 28 hours of study time for this qualification. This includes:
- 16 hours of delivery time with a WSET course provider (classroom or online)
- 11 hours of personal study and revision
- A 1-hour examination
If you find this breakdown of the course intimidating, or if you do not know wines, we would recommend that you pursue the WSET Level 1 course first. However, if you are willing to dedicate prescribed hours to learning and have some knowledge of wines or experience working in the industry, then you can pursue this course.
To sum it up, the course will seem less challenging if you have basic knowledge of the subject and put in effort to study and revise the course material.
Like every wine or spirits certification, the WSET Level 2 course has a certain degree of difficulty to it. But with the right preparation and correct guidance, you can ace the course.
At the Sonal Holland Academy, we provide students with interactive learning with guided tasting sessions that help them build both theoretical and practical knowledge of wine. Over the 16 years, the academy has committed itself to making beverage courses affordable and accessible to students and professionals alike.
Our online courses and hybrid learning programs offer flexibility and convenience to students, so they can continue upskilling without taking a break from work or routine.
Click here to know more about our upcoming batches for the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines.
