Who are we?
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Watch our film: Discover WSET and build your passion and expertise in drinks
WSET is an awarding body and registered charity devoted to the development and delivery of qualifications and courses in beer, sake, spirits and wine.
Established in 1969 for the UK wine trade, WSET has since grown to become the global industry leader in drinks education.
Our qualifications are designed for those who are just starting out in their careers, as well as established professionals, and the many enthusiasts who have a passion for beer, sake, spirits and wine.
As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, our education products offer impartial and sound learning on which individuals and businesses can build knowledge and expertise.
Social responsibility is a part of all of our teaching programmes, therefore WSET is proud to support Wine in Moderation and DrinkAware.co.uk.
WSET qualifications are available through a network of over 800 Approved Programme Providers (APPs) working in over 70 countries and in 15 languages.
We also run our own flagship school, WSET School London in Bermondsey Street, London. The school offers the full suite of WSET qualifications alongside tasting sessions, career talks and bespoke programmes.
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Our purpose and vision
WSET ultimately exists for the benefit of the people who are experiencing the learning - our students. Our impact will be different for each person but we aim to empower them to progress their career, find their dream job in the drinks trade or simply pursue their passion for drinks.
We do this through inspiring learning experiences: we want to be much more to people than exams and qualifications.
We want the products and services we offer to be accessible to as many people as possible all over the world.
Our values
Our values shape everything we do - how we behave and how we think as an organisation.
- They are the foundation for creating an inclusive and purposeful culture where our people feel valued
- They are the guiding principles and fundamental beliefs that inform how we work to achieve our purpose
- They contribute to enhancing everyone's WSET experience - whether for an employee, student or APP
- They help to strengthen our brand internally and externally
Our credentials
We are committed to delivering qualifications to the highest standard. We achieve this through a quality assurance programme where all course providers must meet rigorous approval criteria and on-going monitoring requirements.
WSET is recognised as an awarding body by the English regulator for qualifications, examinations and assessments, Ofqual. It is also a member of the UK's Federation of Awarding Bodies.
In addition, we work closely with the industry to ensure our qualifications and education products are job-relevant. Many of the industry's leading brands support our work through our Corporate Patronage Programme.
AN AWARDING ORGANISATION
WSET is an awarding organisation (exam board)
We are responsible for the creation, processing and quality assurance of WSET qualifications. The qualifications are delivered to candidates through our global network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs).
As the awarding organisation, WSET is responsible for ensuring that APPs deliver our qualifications according to our standards and requirements.
Governance and quality management
WSET is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual, the English regulator for qualifications and exams.
The WSET Supervisory Board (ASB) is a commitee of the Board of Trustees that oversees the activity of WSET as an awarding organisation to ensure:
- the continued integrity of WSET qualification
- that WSET continually reflects best practice in all aspects of its operations, meeting regulatory criteria
THE WSET TEAMS DELIVER THESE CORE FUNCTIONS:
Quality assurance
Responsible for managing our APP approval process and for quality assurance and compliance, supporting our APPs to ensure best practice in their delivery of WSET qualifications.
Educator training
Responsible for the design and delivery of WSET's Educator Training Programme (ETP). In practical terms, ETPs form the training component of WSET's quality assurance system for APPs. Each APP must have an ETP trained educator who takes responsibility for ensuring that their APP meets the teaching standards required by WSET.
Qualifications
Responsible for the setting WSET exams. They design WSET's qualification specifications and decide the assessment format and content at all levels. The team also marks, verifies and moderates WSET assessments.
Product development
Responsible for creating and developing all WSET teaching materials, such as session plans, textbooks and the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT). Also works with the Qualifications team on the content of the qualification specifications.
Translation
Responsible for translating all supporting learning materials (session plans, textbooks and SATs, etc). The team also supports the Qualifications team in the translation of all examination scripts and with the Product Development team to ensure clarity and consistency in all WSET teaching materials.
Exams
Responsible for processing exam orders, issuing results and dispatching our exams and certificates to APPs around the world.
Zero tolerance policy
WSET has a reasonable expectation that its staff and those represented WSET at our Approved Programme Providers (APP) will be treated professionally and respectfully as they carry out their jobs.
Inappropriate behaviour including verbal or physical abuse, persistent or unrealistic demands or threats that cause stress to staff will be viewed as misconduct and we will take appropriate action that is available to us including permanent exclusion from WSET qualifications.