So, you’re considering diving into the WSET Diploma? In this post, I’ll share my full WSET Diploma experience — the time, cost, study strategies, and what you can really expect. First of all: kudos. It’s a big commitment, and I completely understand the questions and doubts that come up before you take the leap. I’ve received quite a few DMs about the Diploma over time, so I thought I’d gather my thoughts and answers in one place. Here’s a full overview of what it’s like, how long it takes, how much it costs, and what kind of madness you’re in for.
How much time should you expect to spend on the WSET Diploma experience?
WSET themselves suggest 10–15 hours a week, and I think that’s a pretty accurate average. But let me be clear: when a module is running, expect more like 20–25 hours a week. It takes over your life in those periods.
Personally, I worked reduced hours throughout the entire study period to make it manageable. My study partner ran her own wine shop and had grown-up kids, while I had a 6–9-year-old at home with special needs. Everyone’s situation is different, so it really depends on what you can move around in your life — job, family, hobbies…
Most modules run for 4–6 weeks, so if you can schedule time off work during those periods, that’s a huge help. The monster module — D3 (Light Wines of the World) — runs at full intensity for about 12 weeks and then again for 2 months before the exam. You’ll feel buried in study.
We took the whole thing in three years, thanks to a pandemic that messed up the exam calendar. But you can do it in a year if you’re wild — Marianne Boss Lystrup did!
Is there group work involved?
That depends on the format you choose. I did everything online, so I can only speak for that. When I studied, only D1 had mandatory group work, and even that was limited to a shared written assignment and a couple of Zoom calls.
Most of the time, group work is optional. I was lucky to have a study buddy in the same city (Silkeborg), and we met almost every Monday to taste wine and discuss theory. Some people create online study groups — that can also be a great way to stay motivated.
How often do you need to travel for exams and tastings?
If you’re doing it online, expect to travel to London four times for exams, plus another couple of trips for tasting tutorials. D4 and D5 are usually scheduled on the same day. Due to the pandemic, we only made it to one tasting tutorial in person. But in general, the rule of thumb is: four exam trips, two tasting trips — minimum.
Note: You can also take the Diploma in places like Austria, not just London, if that’s closer or more affordable for you.
How do the exams work? Can you fail and retake them?
Yes, you absolutely can fail — and retake! The first attempt is included in your course fee, but retakes cost around DKK 1,500 (roughly €200), depending on the exam.
My advice? Budget for at least two retakes just in case. If you don’t need them, you’ll be happily surprised!
How big is the step up from WSET Level 3?
Oh. It’s massive.
To give you a sense: the Level 3 book is about 200 pages — total. The textbook for D1 (just one module of the Diploma) is also 200 pages. That sets the tone.
There’s no multiple choice. Everything is essay-based. That said, strong exam technique can take you a long way. And even if it’s hard, you learn so much.
Think of it like this: at Level 3, you become a sommelier. At Diploma, you become the sommelier’s teacher.
How long did I take? And what study format did I use?
I took three years, mostly because of pandemic delays. Most people complete it in two years. One of my friends powered through it in a year — but did literally nothing else that year!
I studied entirely online via the WSET School in London. The course isn’t “live” as such — you follow along week by week, complete assignments, and get feedback. It worked well with my schedule and budget.
I managed to pass all exams on the first try, except for the D3 Theory part. I had to re-take it, but honestly, I’m glad I did. The second time around was a completely different experience: I was calm, focused, and I knew when I handed it in that I would pass. In the end, I graduated with a Pass With Merit. Importantly: your final grade is not affected by retakes.
You receive all materials as PDFs, but I printed mine as binders and highlighted like a maniac — very glad I did that! You don’t need to source your own books, although buying a few extras for different perspectives (or for more enjoyable reading — WSET books aren’t exactly page-turners) can be helpful.
How much does the Diploma really cost?
One of the most surprising parts of my WSET Diploma experience was just how much money I ended up spending beyond tuition fees.
I’ve never had the courage to tally it all up precisely… but if I had to guess? Around DKK 100,000 (~€13,000) over the three years. Flights to London might be cheap, but accommodation and food aren’t.
Don’t tell my partner 😅
The course fee covers materials and your first attempt at exams, but you’ll likely want to buy extra resources like:
- Wine With Jimmy videos
- Region maps
- Extra books
- Essay feedback (which I now offer via my tiny Grapey Minds business 😉)
Oh — and of course, you’ll need to buy all your tasting wines if you’re doing it online.
What kind of wine budget should you expect for tastings?
If you take the Diploma in-person, wines are included in the tuition fee. If you take it online, you’ll need to source them yourself. Don’t worry, you don’t get a list of exact bottles to buy — instead, you’ll see something like acceptable to good Sauvignon Blanc from Loire or very good Chianti Classico.
Here’s a rough idea of what to expect:
- D1: ~12 wines
- D2: ~10 wines
- D3: 50–80 wines (the beast!)
- D4 & D5: ~20 wines each (40 total)
That’s at least 112 wines. If you average €15 per bottle, that’s about €1,680. But before you panic, remember:
- Many wines can be tasted at fairs, wine bars, or by the glass.
- You don’t have to taste all the suggested wines right away — prioritize the ones you need to hand in notes for.
- Coravin is your best friend. It lets you stretch bottles over weeks or even months.
- Find a tasting group to split costs and discuss wines together.
- And yes… you’ll need to buy plenty of €5 supermarket bottles, because WSET is about wines from all quality levels!
I was lucky — I worked in a wine shop, so I often got discounts and sometimes even free bottles. My study partner owned her shop, so that also helped. But overall, budget carefully and be creative. People are usually very generous when they hear it’s for study purposes.
What are the most helpful third-party resources?
This really depends on your study style. Here’s what worked for me:
- Wine With Jimmy videos — I listened to the audio while driving, though the videos themselves are better if you have the time.
- Maps, maps, maps — I bought tons in different styles and made my own.
- Brainscape (Pro version) — Flashcards with spaced repetition; amazing for quick study bursts on the bus or in queues.
- Masterclasses with MWs — Many are free, some paid. Live ones worked best for me, because I needed the interaction to stay awake!
- WSET online workshops — These were gold. Some free, some paid. The essay-writing feedback in particular was what helped me most — and inspired me to start Grapey Minds to help others. Don’t wait as long as I did to crack the essay code!
Should you consider a physical course in London, Austria, or elsewhere?
If I had the time, money, and flexibility (dear young students without kids: I envy you!), I would absolutely have considered doing the Diploma in person. The Weinakademie in Rust, Austria, for example, integrates wine trips into the program.
That said, I loved doing it online. It gave me flexibility and still connected me to a global network of fellow students. Many travel alone to exams and tastings — don’t hesitate to reach out to others for study sessions, dinners, or just moral support. The friendships are part of the journey.
Final thoughts
Looking back, my WSET Diploma experience was challenging but absolutely worth it. The WSET Diploma is intense, humbling, time-consuming, and expensive. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I cried over it. I doubted myself a lot. But I came out of it with a “pass with merit” and more wine knowledge (and humility!) than I ever imagined.
If you’re thinking about it, feel free to reach out, either by mail or on instagram. I’m here to help!
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