Courses / WSET Wines / Level 1 online
Level 1 · Wines · Online
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, online
The beginners’ qualification, studied from home. Recorded lessons, an educator to answer your questions, and the exam online or in Barcelona. In English or Spanish.
Book this course
€185 incl. 21% IVA
Who it is for
Is this the right level?
- You are new to wine and want a first recognised qualification.
- You need the basics for your work and cannot give up a day for a class.
- You prefer to study at home, at your own pace.
No entry requirements.
What you will cover
What you will cover.
- What wine is and how it is made
- The main types and styles of wine
- How to taste and describe a wine
- How to store and serve wine
- How to match wine with food
- The main grape varieties and their wines, plus preparing for the exam
The facts
Everything you need before you book.
Price
€185 including 21% IVA. Includes the in-person exam in Barcelona. You get the workbook or the ebook, not both, plus the exam and the certificate.
Payment
In full when you book.
Exam
In person in Barcelona, included in the price, or online for €50 extra (English only). First in-person exams: 28 November 2026 (English), 29 November 2026 (Spanish). Dates can change if that classroom course does not run; get in touch about other dates.
Resit
€150, only if you do not pass or you cancel the exam.
Length
Guided study at your own pace, within your 12 months of access. About 5 hours of material.
Access
Access starts when you book. The 12 months run from your first login.
Lessons
Recorded. There are no live classes, so you study when it suits you.
Language
English or Spanish. The online exam is in English only (WSET rule). If you study in Spanish, you sit the exam in person in Barcelona. In-person exams take place on the last day of our classroom courses: write to us when you are ready and we send you the dates.
Group discount
Not on this course. It is priced as a first step.
Entry requirements
None.
Start
Any time. You get access to the online classroom as soon as you book.
How it runs
At your own pace, at the times that suit you.
You start any time. As soon as you book, you get access to the online classroom. You watch the recorded lessons and work through the modules when it suits you, and you keep access for 12 months.
Guided study
Three parts. What wine is and how it is made, with its main styles. Tasting, storing, serving and food pairing. The main grape varieties, and getting ready for the exam.
Tasting at home
Videos on how to taste and how to pair wine with food, and a list of wines to buy, with advice on where. Tasting is optional, but it helps a lot. Send your tasting notes to your educator for feedback.
An educator to ask
One of our educators reads your homework and tasting notes and answers your questions, by email. You also get 1 hour with a private tutor, by video call, to ask your remaining questions.
The exam
At home, or in Barcelona.
The exam is 30 multiple-choice questions, closed book. You need 21 correct answers (70%) to pass. You can sit it in person in Barcelona at no extra cost, or online for €50 extra (English only), any time within 12 months of booking. In-person exams take place on the last day of our classroom courses. When you are ready, write to us and tell us you want to sit the exam: places are limited, so tell us early. We send you the dates and you choose one. The first dates are 28 November 2026 for an English course and 29 November 2026 for a Spanish one. If that classroom course does not run, the exam date can change. Get in touch about other possible dates. If you do not pass, or you cannot sit it, a resit costs €150. You need a computer with a camera, a second device such as a phone, and a quiet room with no posters or images on the walls. An online invigilation programme watches the exam. The online exam costs 50 euros extra and is in English only. WSET does not allow it in Spanish. If you study in Spanish and want an exam, write to us and we find a way, for example an in-person exam in Barcelona.
Course specification
The official specification.
WSET publishes the official specification for this qualification: the learning outcomes, the exam rules and sample questions. Read it before you book.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines specification (PDF, English) →
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines specification (PDF, Spanish) →
Start
Whenever you like.
Questions
Asked and answered.
Online or classroom?
How is the online course different from the classroom?
The qualification, the topics, the exam and the certificate are the same. Only the way you study is different.
How does the online classroom work?
When you enrol, we email you how to log in. All the lessons are there from the day you book, with a suggested pace. You decide when and how long you study.
How does tasting work online?
We send you a list of suggested wines and where to buy them. Taste along with the videos and send your notes to your educator for feedback. Tasting is optional, but we recommend it.
Before you book
Is Level 1 right for me?
Yes, if you are new to wine or want a first qualification. There are no entry requirements.
Is there a free version?
No. The course includes WSET’s qualification and exam, which have a fee. If you would like to try first, start with our free tasting card: five minutes with any bottle at home.
Which language is the course in?
English or Spanish. The online exam is in English only (WSET rule). If you study in Spanish, you sit the exam in person in Barcelona. In-person exams take place on the last day of our classroom courses: write to us when you are ready and we send you the dates.
Can I pay in instalments, or get a group price?
No. Level 1 online is paid in full and has no group discount: we keep its price low as a first step.
Do I have to be a certain age? Does the course involve alcohol?
You must be 18 or over. Every course involves tasting wine, which contains alcohol. You can taste and spit, and you never have to swallow.
What if I need adjustments to take part?
Tell us when you book, or write to us before the course. We arrange reasonable adjustments for the classes and the exam, for example extra time or a different room set-up. Read our reasonable adjustments policy →
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Online courses are not refunded once booked, because you get access straight away. See the full policy.
Can I get the invoice in a company’s name?
Yes. Tick “I need the invoice in a company’s name” at checkout and fill in the company details. Forgot? Write to us within 14 days of booking.
Study and support
How long do I have access?
Access starts when you book. The 12 months run from your first login.
Are there live classes?
No. All the lessons are recorded, so there are no fixed class times. Your educator answers questions and gives feedback on your homework and tasting notes.
How much study time should I allow?
The material takes about 5 hours. Plan about 3 hours a week, and 2 to 3 hours of revision before the exam.
The exam
Can I sit the exam online?
Yes, for €50 extra. Or sit it in person in Barcelona, which is included in the price: you have 12 months from booking.
How many in-person exam dates are there?
In-person exams take place on the last day of our classroom courses. Places are limited, so tell us early. We send you the dates and you choose one.
What if I do not pass?
You resit on another exam date. The resit costs €150, only if you do not pass or you cancel the exam.
When do I get my certificate?
WSET releases results within 15 working days of receiving the exam papers, which we send straight after your exam. We pass your result on to you straight away, and WSET emails your digital certificate directly to the address you booked with.
In your inbox
Want it in writing?
We email you a one-page summary of this course with the dates, the price and the exam rules, so you can read it in peace or forward it.
A question we have not answered? Ask us. We usually reply within 24 hours on weekdays.
Your teachers
Who guides you.
Michael Salverda
Alex Messianu
What students say
In their words.
What students say
In their words.
4.9 on Google from 152 reviews
I recently completed the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines on October 4th with Michael as our instructor, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Michael made the course engaging, informative, and perfectly paced for beginners. His deep knowledge of wine, combined … Read more
My experience at Wine School Rack & Return has exceeded all expectations! The course was incredibly well-structured, and our instructor, Michael Salverda, was exceptional. His professional approach and deep knowledge helped prepare us thoroughly for the certification exam, and thanks to his guidance, I was … Read more
Excelente academia para hacer el WSET. Siempre se mantuvieron en contacto y resolvieron mis dudas.
Next step
After Level 1: Level 2.
The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines takes you through the main grapes and regions of the world. €475 online or €885 in the classroom, including IVA, and both can be paid in two parts.
Comparing WSET with other wine qualifications? Read our wine education guide.
