I have completed a Sommelier Course elsewhere, will I be eligible to register for WSET® Level 3 Advance Certificate Program at Vendange Institute?

If you possess qualifications, such as successful completion of another college, university or professional association course, you may be eligible for enrolment in a WSET® Level 3 Advance Certificate Program at Vendange Institute. Copies of transcripts and completed course outlines are required at the time of application. Decisions are made based upon a case by case evaluation.

 

At what time are the courses?

Level 2 Intermediate and Level 3 Advanced Classes begin at 6:30 and run until 9:00pm.

 

Where can I park? Is public transportation available?

There is a parking lot adjacent to the building accessible from Slater Street between Bronson and Bay. Street parking is also available in the area at metered spots. OC Transpo is very accessible; Albert Street and Slater Street are main arteries for the public transportation system in Ottawa with stops right across from the front doors of Vendange Institute.

 

What are the procedures for a Make-Up Examination?

If you are not able to take your examination on the scheduled date, you may participate in the next scheduled exam, space permitting (the exam dates are listed in the courses page); unless you give us four weeks notice prior to the date of your original exam date, additional fees apply. If you want to arrange for a private make-up exam at another time, proctor fees apply in addition to any exam fees.

Please call or email us for more information. You can refer to the exam dates listed on the courses page.

 

How is the WSET® Diploma structured?

The Diploma is divided into seven units.
Unit 1- The Global Business of Alcoholic Beverages
Unit 2- Wine Production
Unit 3- Light Wines of the World
Unit 4- Spirits of the World
Unit 5- Sparkling Wines of the World
Unit 6- Liqueur Wines of the World
Unit 7- Individual Research Project

 

Is the WSET® Diploma fee for one year's study or for two?

The fee covers Diploma study and testing for one year only. To study the entire Diploma syllabus you must register for two years and pay two fees.

 

If I register but don't take the WSET® Diploma exam, can I take the Diploma exam another year?

If you don't take the Diploma exam the year when you register for Diploma study, you forfeit the exam fees that you paid as part of your registration, and have to re-register to take the exam in a future year.

 

If I register as a WSET® Diploma student at Vendange Institute, can I take the exam in London England?

No. Your registration at Vendange Institute covers only examinations at our venue.

 

Can I earn a partial pass on the WSET® Diploma exam?

A pass in any part remains valid for three years while you re-take the other parts.

 

INTERESTED IN TAKING THE WSET DIPLOMA IN OTTAWA?
Here’s what you need to know!

The WSET Diploma is an advanced course of wine study divided up into 6 units, generally taking students 2 years to complete (but they may take up to 6 years). The Diploma is very much a self-directed course. It is not like a traditional course with weekly classes. The Study Pack consists of a series of Study Guides outlining activities and readings from the primary resource for the course, The Oxford Companion to Wine. There is no textbook per se for the course (as there is for the WSET Intermediate and Advanced Certificates). Students must draw the required information from the Companion and make their own “textbook”.

There is a recommended minimum amount of time to be spent on each unit—for example Unit 2-Wine Production, is recommended as taking 60 hours (6-10 weeks). Students can work at their own pace, and have flexibility as to the order in which they’d like to do the units (with a couple of exceptions).

The Vendange Institute has recently been approved as an exam centre for the Diploma, acting as a “satellite” of IWEG (The Independent Wine Education Guild) in Toronto. This means that Ottawa students will be enrolled in IWEG’s “Home Study Programme”. ALL ADMINISTRATION for this course will be done through IWEG.

Exams will take place in Ottawa only if there is a sufficient number of people registered (the minimum number has yet to be determined but will probably be around 12-15 people). If there are not enough people registered, students will have to go to Toronto to write their exam(s). In the event that there are enough students for an exam in Ottawa, there will be an extra fee charged by the Vendange Institute to cover use of the room, invigilator’s travel costs etc, and administration.

WSET offers Home Study students, for an additional fee, an optional programme called DAPS (Diploma Assessment Preparation Scheme). This programme allows you to have practice essays and tasting notes evaluated for feedback by a mentor/marker. In addition to this service, Ottawa students will also have the opportunity to meet once/month (in Ottawa) with their mentor/marker and other Diploma students for a study session.

There will also be the opportunity (again, given sufficient interest) for 5 or 6 “mock tasting exams” to be held at the Vendange Institute for an additional fee.

Excluding extra fees for DAPS, exams in Ottawa and tastings, IWEG’s current total cost for Diploma Home Study Programme is $2,625.00, with that price subject to change without notice. Students generally pay for separate units as they go. Initially, students will pay for registration, and Units 1 and 2 (which must be done before the other units).

With regard to scheduling, the Vendange Institute would like to run a Unit 2 (Wine Production) exam in spring 2007, pending sufficient registration.

 

What should you do next?

Go to wset.co.uk/qualifications/diploma and scroll down to the very bottom to the Diploma Specification. Read the entire Specification (46 pages). If you decide that the Diploma is for you, email Mary Varey at iweg@bellnet.ca and ask for Home Study Diploma info. Also include in this email that you are in Ottawa and would like to write your exams here. Please CC Allyson Bycraft on this email: abycraft@rogers.com.